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Home By Dessert Type Cookies

Healthy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies

★★★★★ 6 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin12/6/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Healthy Linzer Cookies
Healthy Linzer Cookies

These healthy Linzer cookies are gluten-free and sweetened naturally with honey. To make them even better, they are topped with a sweet whole-fruit jam- A wonderful holiday treat!

linzer cookies

Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies

Have you ever tried a delicious Linzer cookie? You know those yummy shortbread cookies with a jam-filled center and lightly dusted with powder sugar? They are my absolute favorite when the holiday season starts!

Linzer cookies are a classic holiday treat that originated in the Austrian city of Linz. They resemble a fruit torte because they have almond flour crust and rich jam filling.

I took the traditional Linzer cookie recipe and replaced some of the ingredients, using healthier sweeteners and flours. They still taste delicious!

Plus, they are a ton of fun to eat, as well! Your teeth first sink into the crispy cookies that are lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Then, the fruit jam overtakes your taste buds. So good!

Add these cookies to your holiday cookie tray, set them out for Santa, or nibble on them late at night when you enjoy the glow of the Christmas tree lights.

You’re going to love them!

linzer cookies

Ingredients In Healthy Linzer Cookies

I used ingredients that are whole and healthy, plus easy to find in the grocery store. Here’s a bit more information about what I used to make healthy Linzer cookies.

  • Almond Flour: You’ll need about 2 1/2 cups of almond flour. This is what gives the cookies that classic almond taste, and it makes them naturally gluten-free. Make sure you use almond flour, not almond meal.
  • Coconut Flour: Use 1/3 cup of coconut flour to soak up the wet ingredients and give the cookies the classic shortbread texture.
  • Baking Ingredients: These cookies also use other traditional baking ingredients, like 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt.
  • Egg: This is the binding ingredient. It holds everything together! You’ll use one egg to make these cookies.
  • Honey: You only need a little bit of honey to sweeten the entire cookie batter. I used 1/3 cup of honey, but you can use more if you want them to taste a little sweeter.
  • Coconut Oil: You’ll need some sort of fat for the cookie dough. A 1/2 cup of coconut oil is full of healthy fats, but you could also use the same amount of ghee if you want.
  • Flavors: Add a 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract and one teaspoon vanilla extract for that trademark vanilla almond flavor.
  • Fruit Jam: I have found that seedless jam will spread better on the cookie. I used 1/2 cup, and it was enough for all 26 cookie sandwiches. Any type of jam will work, so use your favorite kind! I went with raspberry.
  • Powdered Sugar: You only need enough to dust the tops of the cookies lightly. I used 1/4 cup.
ingredients for linzer cookies
linzer cookies

Kitchen Tools Needed For These Cookies

If you have baked cookies before, then you probably already have all the tools you need.

  • Cookie Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Plastic Food Wrap
  • Rolling Pin
  • Linzer Cookie Cutters

For measuring, you will need 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, and 1/8 teaspoon.

linzer cookies

How To Make Linzer Tart Cookies From Scratch

These are incredibly easy to make – but they look impressive. All the exact steps are in the printable recipe card just a little bit further below. First, here is a quick overview of the steps.

Before you begin, it’s important to preheat the oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This way, the oven will be nice and hot when you are ready to bake the cookies.

While that is heating up, start mixing up the cookie dough. Add the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and salt to a medium bowl. Set this aside.

Next, mix the egg, honey, coconut oil, almond, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine them.

Keep mixing until the cookie dough forms a ball.

Then, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to prevent sticking when rolling.

After chilling for a bit, roll out the cookie dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and use Linzer cookie cutters to cut half with a hole in the center and leave half as a whole cookie. Alternatively, use a mason jar lid and cut little hearts, stars, or circles into the top half of the cookies.

Bake the cookies for 6-8 minutes. Watch cookies closely – they burn quickly! Let cool.

Once they are cool, top all cookies with powdered sugar.

Then, add a teaspoon of jam to the whole cookies and place the cookies with the holes on top of the cookies with jam. Basically, form a sandwich.

And, that’s it! You are ready to enjoy them.

linzer cookies

Recipe Tips

Below are some common questions about the Linzer cookie recipe. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

What is the filling of a traditional Linzer cookie?

Traditionally, raspberry preserves are used in the filling of Linzer cookies. Any rich fruit jam will taste delicious as the cookie filling. Try it with blackberry or strawberry jam.

Do Linzer cookies ship well?

No, I don’t think they will ship very well if you try to send them when they are put together. You see, the jam will make the cookies softer the longer they are sandwiched.

If you want to ship these Linzer cookies, I suggest placing the almond flour cookies in an airtight container and the jam in a separate airtight container. Then, the person receiving the cookies can add the jam and enjoy them fresh!

Can you bake cookies on wax paper instead of parchment paper?

No, do not use wax paper as a substitute for parchment paper. It is not oven-safe and could either melt or catch fire. Yikes!

If you don’t have parchment paper, use a non-stick spray or a silicone baking mat. Foil won’t work very well since it isn’t non-stick.

linzer cookies

Storing leftovers

The best way to store leftovers is to keep the cookies in one container and the jam in the refrigerator. Then, add the jam to the cookies right before you serve them.

The cookies – without the jam filling – will stay good in a cookie jar or tin on the counter for about a week, I suggest leaving the lid ajar so air can get in. Almond flour gets moist when it’s in an airtight container.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Here are some more of my favorite cookie recipes. Enjoy!

  • Vegan Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
  • Easy Nutella Cookies
  • Healthy Kitchen Sink Cookies
  • Paleo Chai Spice

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa

linzer cookies
linzer cookies
★★★★★ 5 from 6 reviews

Healthy Linzer Cookies

These healthy Linzer cookies are gluten-free and sweetened naturally with honey. To make them even better, they are topped with a sweet whole-fruit jam- A wonderful holiday treat!

Prep: 30Cook: 20Total: 50 minutes
Yield 26 cookies 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/3 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup seedless jam (any fruit flavor, I like raspberry)
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1.  Preheat oven to 325F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Add almond flour, coconut flour baking soda, and salt to a medium bowl
  3. Mix together egg, honey, coconut oil, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a large bowl
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix to combine
  5. Mix until a ball forms.
  6. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in fridge for 30 minutes to prevent sticking when rolling.
  7. Roll dough about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and use linzer cookie cutters to cut half with a hole in the center and half with full centers. Alternatively, use a mason jar lid and cut little hearts, stars, or circles into the top of half.
  8. Bake for 6-8 minutes. Watch cookies closely – they burn quickly! Let cool.
  9. Once cool, top all cookies with powdered sugar.
  10. Add 1 tsp jam to the full cookies and place the cookies with the hole on top of the cookies with jam.
  11. Serve! Do not close in airtight container, just loosely cover with foil on a plate or do not cover at all. They will get soggy if so.
Author: ErinCategory: cookies, holiday, christmasMethod: ovenCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free
linzer cookies

Did you make this?

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Adam says

    Posted on 2/6 at 9:43 am

    Hi Erin,

    I hope you are doing well! I am reaching out in regards to the servings for this linzer cookie recipe. It says it serves 26. Does that mean it makes 26 full linzer cookies (two cookies with jam inside), or 26 individual cookies to assemble them? Thank you, Erin, and I look forward to making these!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/6 at 3:43 pm

      Hi Adam, you too and 26 full cookies! Let me know how yours come out!

      Reply
  2. Misty says

    Posted on 12/4 at 5:04 am

    Hi Erin! Can I substitute the coconut oil for butter?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/7 at 8:21 pm

      Hi Misty, yep that works! Let me know how your cookies come out!

      Reply
  3. Jenny says

    Posted on 10/20 at 5:28 pm

    Hi Erin! Can I chill the dough in the fridge for a couple days before baking? Or alternatively could I freeze the dough until I’m ready to bake them? IF so, please let me know if I need to thaw the dough or how much longer i should bake the cookies, thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/21 at 6:24 pm

      Hi Jenny, yep that should be fine either way! I’d thaw it to room temperature! Let me know how they come out!

      Reply
  4. Deborah says

    Posted on 1/27 at 11:14 am

    This sounds good and I use all the recipes except the powdered sugar. Is there a healthy substitute that I could use for the sugar to dust the top? Not erythritol or artificial sweeteners. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. maddie says

    Posted on 12/25 at 4:16 pm

    Only had plum + rosemary jam, but they were delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/26 at 12:29 pm

      Hi Maddie, so happy you liked them and made them your own!

      Reply
  6. Lexy says

    Posted on 12/19 at 1:59 pm

    Delicious! These cookies were so tasty and honestly very easy to make. You really wouldn’t even guess that they’re gluten and dairy free! I gave some to my boyfriend’s family and they loved them as well.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/19 at 4:35 pm

      Hi Lexy, so happy everyone loved them!! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kelsi Van Veen says

    Posted on 12/19 at 12:13 pm

    These cookies are absolutely delicious. Perfectly sweet, and a bit softer than expected if cooked for 6 mins, which is exactly how I like them! At 8 minutes they are a little crispier if that’s your preference. I filled half with strawberry jam, and half with Nutella. Such a hit with the family!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/19 at 4:30 pm

      Hi Kelsi, so happy you loved them and made them your own! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Madeline says

    Posted on 12/12 at 8:34 am

    These cookies are perfect for the holidays! The cookie alone is delicious and then adding a jam of your choice brings the flavor over the top. I will definitely be making these again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/12 at 10:13 am

      Hi Madeline, so happy you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  9. Madeline says

    Posted on 12/12 at 8:34 am

    These cookies are perfect for the holidays! The cookie alone is delicious and then adding a jam of your choice brings them over the top. I will definitely be making these again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/12 at 10:12 am

      Hi Madeline, so happy you loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Relée says

    Posted on 12/11 at 12:25 am

    This recipe looks amazing! I’m vegan, is it possible to use a chia or flax egg and agave instead of an egg and honey?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/12 at 10:10 am

      Hi Relée, thanks and that should work. I haven’t tried them with those subs so let me know how they come out! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Casey Colodny says

    Posted on 12/6 at 4:26 pm

    Omggg these reminded me of the La Madeline, French Bakery, cookies I had growing up but BETTER!! so yummy erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/7 at 3:36 pm

      Hi Casey, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  12. Isabelle says

    Posted on 12/6 at 3:24 pm

    Hi! Any idea if we can make these and freeze to bake closer to the holidays? How would you adjust cook time?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/8 at 3:24 pm

      Hi Isabelle, yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Just be sure to bring to room temperature before baking! Let me know how they come out!!

      Reply

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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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