Valentine’s Day just isn’t complete without something sweet and handmade, something that says “I love you” in buttery, jam-filled bites. That’s why I’m obsessed with Heart Jam Linzer Cookies! Every year, I whip up a batch with my kids, and the kitchen turns into a flour-dusted, sugary mess (in the best way). These cookies are like little edible valentines, delicate, pretty, and packed with flavor. The best part? The jam peeking through the heart-shaped cutouts makes them look fancy, but trust me, they’re way easier than they seem. Just ask my 7-year-old, who insists on being the official jam-spreader every time.
Why You’ll Love These Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
These cookies aren’t just adorable, they’re downright irresistible. Here’s why they’ve become my go-to Valentine’s treat:
- Quick & easy: No fancy techniques needed, just simple, wholesome ingredients mixed with love (and maybe a little butter).
- Festive magic: Those heart cutouts? Pure edible confetti. They look like you spent hours, but shhh, we’ll keep the secret.
- Jam-packed options: Raspberry’s my favorite, but swap in strawberry, blackberry, or even lemon curd for a fun twist.
- Kid-approved fun: Rolling, cutting, and sandwiching? Perfect for little hands (and sneaky taste-testers).
Seriously, one bite of that buttery crumble and jammy center, and you’ll be hooked.
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Irresistible Heart Jam Linzer Cookies in Just 7 Steps
Heart Jam Linzer Cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day. These homemade treats let you share love with sweet, jam-filled cookies.
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix in flour and salt until dough forms.
- Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into heart shapes.
- Use a smaller heart cutter to remove centers from half the cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cool, then spread jam on whole cookies and top with cut-out cookies.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Chill dough for 30 minutes if too soft.
- Use any jam flavor you prefer.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Ingredients for Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
Gather these simple ingredients, most are probably already in your pantry! The magic happens when they all come together:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes, it should dent slightly when pressed)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar (the perfect amount for sweetness without overpowering the jam)
- 1 large egg (room temperature blends smoother)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla makes all the difference)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, no packed flour here!)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (balances the sweetness)
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam (or your favorite, I’ve used apricot in a pinch!)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (like a snowy kiss on top)
Pro tip: If your butter’s too cold? Grate it! Too soft? Chill it briefly. Baking’s all about adapting, just like love. For more baking inspiration, check out familytastes.com.
Equipment You’ll Need for Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
No fancy gadgets required, just a few trusty tools to make these cookies shine:
- Mixing bowl & wooden spoon (or a hand mixer if you’re feeling fancy)
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters (one large, one small, I’ve even used a shot glass in a pinch!)
- Baking sheets lined with parchment (no sticking, no stress)
- Rolling pin (or a wine bottle, we’ve all been there)
- Cooling rack (because patience is a virtue, especially with jam involved)
That’s it! Now let’s make some cookie magic.
How to Make Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
Ready to turn butter and sugar into edible love notes? Follow these simple steps, I promise, even first-time bakers will nail these!
Preparing the Dough for Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
First, let’s make that dreamy dough. In your mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes with a mixer, or 3-4 minutes by hand (my arm workout for the day!). Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Now, gently mix in the flour and salt. The dough should come together beautifully, not too sticky, not too dry. If it clings to your fingers, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Trust me, this patience pays off later!
Cutting and Baking Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface (I use the back of a baking sheet if my counter’s crowded). Press your large heart cutter firmly, twist slightly for clean edges. For half the cookies, use the small cutter to remove centers. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges blush golden. They’ll look pale on top, that’s perfect! Let them cool completely; rushing this step leads to jam avalanches (learned that the hard way).
Assembling Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
Time for the fun part! Spread about ½ tsp jam on each whole cookie, stay shy of the edges to prevent oozing. Gently press a cut-out cookie on top. Pro tip: Dust powdered sugar over the tops after assembling to avoid snowy jam smudges. The first bite? Pure buttery, jammy heaven. Warning: These disappear faster than Valentine’s chocolates! If you are looking for other Valentine’s themed treats, check out these heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink icing.
Tips for Perfect Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
Want your Linzer cookies to turn out bakery-perfect? Here are my tried-and-true secrets:
- Chill sticky dough: If it’s too soft after mixing, wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cold dough holds those heart shapes beautifully!
- Room temp ingredients matter: That butter and egg should be just right, too cold and they won’t cream properly, too warm and your dough spreads.
- Roll evenly: Use guide sticks (like wooden dowels) on either side of your dough for perfectly uniform thickness, no lopsided hearts here!
- Store like a pro: Keep assembled cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh for 5 days… if they last that long!
Bonus tip: Freeze unbaked dough up to 3 months, just thaw overnight in the fridge when Cupid’s arrow strikes! For more delicious cookie ideas, see these mini jam tartlets.
Heart Jam Linzer Cookies Variations
Don’t be afraid to play with this recipe, half the fun is making it your own! Swap raspberry jam for tangy lemon curd or spiced fig preserves. Add orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist. No heart cutters? Use stars for Christmas or circles year-round. My neighbor even made Halloween versions with bat-shaped cutouts and blackberry jam, genius! The only rule? Have fun with it. You might also enjoy these strawberry shortcake cheesecake variations.
Serving and Storing Heart Jam Linzer Cookies
These cookies taste best the day they’re made, that perfect crunch giving way to jammy goodness! But don’t worry, they’ll stay delicious in an airtight container for up to 5 days (if they last that long). No need to reheat, just pull them out and watch them disappear. I like stacking them in a pretty tin with parchment between layers so they stay picture-perfect. Pro tip: The powdered sugar dusting might fade after a day, so I give them a fresh snowy sprinkle right before serving for that “just baked” magic!
Heart Jam Linzer Cookies Nutritional Information
Each little heart packs about 120 calories, worth every bite! Here’s the breakdown per cookie (but remember, my jam spoon might be more generous than yours!):
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g (blame the jam, it’s the good kind!)
- Fat: 6g (real butter makes it worth it)
- Carbs: 15g
- Protein: 1g
Disclaimer: These values can change based on your jam choice or if you sneak extra powdered sugar (no judgment here!). For exact numbers, plug your specific ingredients into a nutrition calculator, but really, who counts calories on Valentine’s Day?
Heart Jam Linzer Cookies FAQs
You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers! Here’s what folks ask most about these adorable cookies:
- Can I freeze these cookies? Absolutely! Freeze baked, unassembled cookies for up to 3 months (skip the powdered sugar until serving). Thaw at room temperature, then spread with jam, good as new!
- Will gluten-free flour work? Yes! Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend. The texture might be slightly more delicate, so handle the dough gently when rolling.
- Why did my jam leak everywhere? Oops! Use thicker jam (or simmer runny jam to reduce it), and leave a tiny border when spreading. Chilling assembled cookies for 15 minutes helps too.
- Can I make these ahead? The dough keeps refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 3 months, perfect for last-minute Valentine’s baking!
Still stumped? Drop me a note, I’ve made every mistake so you don’t have to!