Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Teatime Linzer Cookies


A new "toy" has arrived, and although I haven't quite mastered it yet, I can't wait any longer and simply must share! You see, I always liked the idea of making those cute Linzer cookies with cutouts that let you see the jam, but the tea-themed cookie cutters I have are so large you'd have to make a plate-sized cookie for it to be large enough to contain a regular cookie-sized cutout. Then last week, I discovered some tea and coffee themed Linzer cookie cutters and placed an order. (I got mine here, and they're available from a variety of vendors on the internet.)

Are you interested in the history of Linzer cookies? OK, good! Linzer torte, the famous pastry in which the pretty fruit filling peeks through a lattice crust, hails from Linz, a town in Austria. The Linzer cookie, with its fruit filling peeking through the top cookie with a cutout design, is a variation on that idea.

The recipe printed on the back of the cookie cutter box did not work for me. The cookies had too much butter in them and were swimming on the cookie sheet by the end of baking time. So, I returned to a never-fail sugar cookie recipe I've been using (from the marvelous book "Cookie Craft"). It worked perfectly. I baked bottoms first, then the fun part, the cutouts. The tiny (less than one inch) impressions lock into place on the cookie cutter and pop out with a spring mechanism. There were no instructions, but it was pretty easy to figure out. I used seedless raspberry jam on the bottom cookies, then added the tops which I had dusted with powdered sugar (sifted through a tea strainer!) and yum -- Teatime Linzer Cookies! DH and I both thought they were really good.

Happily, the cookie cutters all cleaned up easily in hot soap and water. I think I need to perfect my technique so as to get a "crisper" design in the middle, but for my first effort I'm pretty pleased!

14 comments:

  1. Aren't they just the cutest thing!
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Angela, Your cookies are BEAUTIFUL!!! You did a GREAT job, and you are an inspiration!!!tammyp

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have the autumn cut out set but I HAVE to have this one. And yes something is very wrong with the recipe that is printed on the set. I found a good linzer recipe online. They are good w' lemon curd inside too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. These look fun! And I think your attempts look VERY tasty! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. They turned out great. What a pretty addition to your tea time treats.

    ReplyDelete
  6. They look delicious! Tell me, how do you find time to work AND find all the greatest stuff? (And then make all your goodies!) You are simply a marvel!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh those are very cute. I keep thinking I should make Linzer cookies with my jam, but just never get around to it. Hopefully, you have inspired me to go ahead. I love your cookies.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really, really like them. They are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So Cute!
    I think your first attempt is wonderful, nice job Angela!
    I love your blog, I read it everyday :)
    Happy Wednesday!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for the kind comments about my green photos. :-)

    I'm counting your matcha post as green - it's great! I'm SO behind on tea tasting. I will get with teh program. Yummy cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cute cookie cutters. I've never had a linzer cookie but I have made the Cookie Craft (great book) sugar cookies before. I may have to ask for these cutters for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a cute toy and a must have to add to my flour play toys. They look adorable and since I like to invite friends for tea this will be perfect. Your cookies look delicious. I love a buttery Linzer. Thanks for sharing.
    Joyce

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are adorable! And, your cookies look yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love it! What a fantastic item, I am going to have to get me one of those.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment! It makes my day to hear from readers!