Citrus Linzer Cookies

That recipe title…gah! Honestly, I have no idea what these cookies should be called. They are mostly linzers … this is true. But they aren’t. The cookies are cream cheese roll-out sugar cookies charmingly cut to be the caretakers of a lovely dollop of leftover jam.

Leftover jam? It’s true, no lies. My family has an obsession with all things jams, sauces, and spices. My fridge is forever filled with a various assortment of glass jars and bottles. sigh. Even worse, along with this delicious obsession comes the bad habit of never quite emptying out one of the said containers of jams or sauces. Is there something I haven’t been told about the last spoonful at the bottom of all sauces and jams? Is there something dangerous or dirty about it? Must be. Why else would my fridge be full of jars with only a spoonful left of its inhabitants?

Here’s what I do with all those “dangerous” bits of sauces and jams…

Use them to make absolutely delicious citrus linzer cookies. And don’t they look like little stained glass windows with all those pretty colors? I could just eat them up!

Oh wait … did that already :).

Even if you aren’t a religious person, you most likely have a profound appreciation for the beauty found in churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques. One of my favorite components of these buildings architecture are the stunning stained glass windows and breathtaking colors that can be found in them. I’m always astonished at the workmanship and care that goes into those pieces. I could stare at them all day. Maybe with a cookie :).

Quick Entertaining Tip:

Skip making homemade cookies and purchase inexpensive butter cookies. Spread a layer of delicious, gourmet jam between two, and sprinkle with powdered sugar for an easy, semi-homemade entertaining treat! They might not have cute little cut-outs in them but guaranteed your guests will still appreciate the extra step and creativity and YOU will appreciate the time saved in the kitchen.

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citrus Linzer cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• zest from 3 citrus

Instructions

1. In large bowl, combine all ingredients except flour and citrus zest; beat until light and fluffy.
2. Add flour; mix well.
3. Divide dough into 3 bowls, add desired citrus zest. We added zest from a lemon to one bowl, a lime to another, and a tangerine to a third.
4. Shape dough into 3 disks.
5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.
6. Heat oven to 375°F.
7. On floured surface, roll out 1 disk of dough at a time to 1/8-inch thickness. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated.)
8. Cut with lightly floured cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
9. Bake at 375°F. for 6 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown.
10. Immediately remove from cookie sheets.
11. Allow to cool.

Recipe Notes

Work quickly when rolling out the dough, as it becomes hard to work with fast.
To make the sandwich cookies, cut half of your cookies as solid circles. Cut the other half as donuts, missing the center piece. After the cookies have cooled, put jam between.