Name: Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 4 h
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2/3 cup (100g) salted roasted almonds; 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled, plus more for rolling; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 3/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1/2 cup (160g) cherry preserves; 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar; 1–2 Tablespoons whole milk; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract or pure vanilla extract (or 1/4 teaspoon each)

There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about these delicate, nutty cookies filled with vibrant cherry jam. The **Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe** I’m sharing today is a special blend of buttery dough, fragrant almonds, and sweet-tart cherry preserves—perfect for sharing over a cozy afternoon chat.

A white plate with a detailed edge holds a pile of tree-shaped cookies. Each cookie has two layers: the bottom layer is light brown and the top layer is covered with smooth white icing. The top layer has a star-shaped cutout in the center showing the red jam inside. Scattered around the plate are whole frozen red berries. The plate is on a pale pink surface with a white marbled texture just visible around the edges. A small white bowl with whole almonds and another with red berries sit nearby, along with some metal cookie cutters, and a pink cloth is partially seen. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the first time I made these, I was hooked on how perfectly the roasted almonds lift the flavor, and how the cherry jam peeks out through the tiny windows. Plus, they’re a joy to make—mixing, rolling, and cutting out these beauties feels like a little celebration in your own kitchen.

Nutty, Buttery Crunch: The roasted almonds add a toasted depth, making these cookies more flavorful than your average shortbread.
Beautiful, Yet Simple: Those charming cut-out tops make for a gorgeous presentation that’s actually easy to pull off.
Customizable Filling: You can easily swap cherry preserves with raspberry, apricot, or even lemon curd to suit your taste or occasion.
Perfect for Gifting: These store well and look stunning in a box, so you can share the joy with friends and family.

The image shows several Christmas tree-shaped cookies on a metal cooling rack placed over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: a bottom golden brown layer and a top layer covered with smooth white icing. The top layer has a small star-shaped hole in the center, revealing a deep red jam filling. One cookie at the top of the image has a bite taken out of it, showing the inner texture and the jam more clearly. Crumbs are scattered around this cookie, adding to the cozy feel. The photo is bright with soft natural light highlighting the shiny icing and jam. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in the Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe has a reason for being there, creating a perfectly balanced cookie that’s not too sweet and boasts texture and aroma.

Flat lay of roasted almonds with skins, a mound of all-purpose flour, a small heap of ground cinnamon, a few grains of coarse salt, a stick of unsalted butter with a pat sliced off, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a single large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright red cherry preserves, a small white ceramic bowl of fine confectioners’ sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with whole milk, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salted roasted almonds: I love using these for that rich, toasty flavor—if you only have raw almonds, just add a pinch more salt to your dough to balance it out.
All-purpose flour: The base that gives the cookies structure without being heavy.
Baking powder: Adds just a gentle lift so the cookies don’t become too dense.
Ground cinnamon: A subtle warmth that pairs wonderfully with the almonds and cherry.
Salt: Highlights all the flavors—don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming and the flavorful richness every good cookie needs.
Granulated sugar: Sweetness that caramelizes slightly for texture.
Egg: Adds moisture and helps bind the dough together.
Vanilla and almond extracts: These extracts amp up the cookie’s fragrance and deepen the overall taste.
Cherry preserves: The star filling—choose your favorite brand or homemade jam for best results.
Confectioners’ sugar: For a smooth, glossy icing that makes assembly and presentation extra special.
Whole milk: Adjusts your icing consistency to just the right drip-and-set texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I absolutely love mixing up the flavor combos in this Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe. Sometimes I swap cherry for raspberry preserves or add a sprinkle of lemon zest to the dough for a fresh twist. Trust me, a little personal flair goes a long way.

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is using apricot preserves and dusting the cookies with powdered sugar instead of icing—it adds a lovely, lighter sweetness that balances perfectly with the almond flavor.
Dietary Tweaks: If you’re avoiding dairy, try vegan butter and a flax egg, but keep an eye on dough consistency; it might need a touch more flour.
Shape Play: Don’t have a cookie cutter? No worries! I’ve used a glass to cut full discs and a small straw to punch out the centers—super simple and still charming.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Grinding the Almonds Just Right

Start by pulsing those salted roasted almonds in your food processor until they’re finely chopped—but not too fine. You want little bits to bring texture and flavor, not almond flour. This sets the stage for the amazing bite you’ll get in each cookie.

Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together your chopped almonds, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This easy step makes sure everything’s evenly distributed before we move to the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Creaming Butter and Sugar

Using a mixer, beat softened butter with sugar until it’s smooth and creamy—usually 3 minutes at high speed. This is where your cookies get that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Then, add your egg, vanilla, and almond extracts and keep beating until everything’s just combined. Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl to catch any stray bits!

Step 4: Bringing It All Together

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet on low speed. The dough will feel thick and crumbly—that’s exactly right. Divide it into two discs, wrap each tightly in plastic, and chill for at least three hours. Patience here really pays off with easier rolling and better-shaped cookies.

Step 5: Rolling and Cutting the Cookies

Remove one dough disc and let it warm a bit if it’s rock hard—about 10 minutes or so. Flour your surface, hands, and rolling pin well, then roll out to about ¼-inch thickness. If cracks appear, just let the dough relax for a few more minutes; it’ll soften up. Use your cookie cutters to create cookies, remembering to punch out small holes in half of them for that classic Linzer look.

Step 6: Baking to Golden Perfection

Place the cookies two inches apart on parchment-lined sheets and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 11 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Let them cool on the pans a bit before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 7: Smooth Icing and Sweet Assembly

Whisk confectioners’ sugar, milk, and extract(s) in a small bowl until smooth. Dip the tops of your cut-out cookies lightly in the icing and allow the excess to drip off. Place these iced tops on parchment to set just a little, then sandwich with the plain bottoms spread with cherry preserves. Press gently so no jam escapes, but don’t squish the cookies.

Top Tip

I’ve made Linzer cookies a bunch of times now and learned a few tricks that keep things simple and ensure success for you, too.

Patience With Dough Chilling: The dough might seem firm straight from the fridge, but letting it sit a bit before rolling makes all the difference between cracked cookies and smooth edges.
Generous Flour on Rolling Surface: It prevents the dough from sticking and breaking apart—don’t be shy here, especially with nutty dough.
Use a Timer: Baking Linzer cookies for just the right amount of time is crucial—they should be lightly golden, not brown. Overbaking makes them too hard.
Smooth Out Jam: If your preserves are chunky, give them a few quick pulses in a food processor. This makes spreading easier and edges neater.

How to Serve Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe

Cherry Almond Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to garnish with just a hint of extra powdered sugar dusted on top if I’m skipping the icing, or sometimes tiny slivers of toasted almond planted delicately around the edges for an elegant touch. It’s those small details that make the cookies feel extra special.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea—earl grey or a spiced chai works perfectly. For festive occasions, I toss together a simple cheese plate and fresh fruit; the acidity cuts through the richness of the cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I arranged these cookies in a wreath shape on a large platter and interspersed sprigs of fresh mint and cranberries. It’s a simple trick that adds a fresh color contrast and makes your cookie platter the star of the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, and they hold their flavor and texture wonderfully. I find that stashing them in the fridge beyond that can dry them out a bit, so I prefer quick consumption!

Freezing

If I want to save cookies longer, I freeze them layered between parchment paper in a sturdy container—this way, they won’t stick together or break. I’ve frozen fully assembled and iced Linzer cookies for up to 3 months without losing any freshness or texture.

Reheating

To revive frozen cookies, I thaw them overnight in the fridge and then bring them to room temperature. I avoid microwaving because it can make the icing too soft or the cookies a bit soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this recipe without almonds?

While almonds are key for the authentic flavor and texture in this Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe, you can substitute another finely chopped nut like hazelnuts or walnuts. Just be aware it will change the flavor profile a bit.

What if I don’t have a small cookie cutter for the center?

No problem! Use the end of a clean drinking straw to punch out small center holes, or carefully carve tiny shapes with a paring knife to create windows for the jam to peek through.

Can I skip the icing on top?

Yes, absolutely! Instead of icing, dust the cooled tops with sifted confectioners’ sugar for a classic look and sweet finish. This also reduces preparation time.

How far in advance can I make these cookies?

You can make the dough and chill it for up to 4 days before baking. You can also freeze dough or baked cookies for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe holds such a warm place in my heart—it’s the kind of recipe where every bite reminds me of holidays and happy kitchen conversations. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. Trust me, once you get these in the oven filling your kitchen with that almond cherry aroma, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again.