The Linzer Auge is one of the cookies, that is always easy recognizable thanks to its two sandwich style cookie disks filled with jam, the three cut out holes and its round “flower style” shape. The Linzer Augen (roughly translated as Linzer Eyes) are a typical Austrian Christmas cookie, that originated in upper Austria in the city of Linz. Nowadays it is often even available the whole year round in local bakeries in Austria but also in neighboring countries such as in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. It is one of my top favorite cookies, simply because the sweet short crust pastry – pate sablée – melts in your mouth instantly!
The Linzer Augen are often filled with a dollop of sweet home made Apricot or Red Currant jam. In Asia it can be a challenge to get those two jam types, so I decided to use my home made Persimmon jam, which resembles a bit to the Apricot Jam in color and taste. The sweet Short crust pastry (Pate sablée) is a bit of a challenge since it crumbles like nothing. In fact it crumbles even more then the plain Short crust Pastry (Pate brisee). Yet it is required to use this dough for this cookies, because its all about the melting moment for your tongue! Anyway, its certainly worthwhile to go through the trouble to recreate those cookies at home.
To make the Linzer Augen, you will need two cookie cutters as well. A round type (see picture underneath in the recipe) which you will use to cut out the cookie base and a special cookie cutter with 3 wholes in the center (see picture underneath in the recipe) which will be required to cut the cookie’s disk cover. Of course you can try to cut the wholes with a knife or something, in case there is no way for you to purchase a Linzer Augen cookie cutter.
By the way, please don’t mind my messy handling with the powdered Sugar. I still don’t know how to handle the powdered Sugar int he tropical climate. As you can see in the picture, this is not my forte. ^.^
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Love these crumbly cookies!
These cookies look so light and delicate. I truly love a cookie with jam filling.
I can only imagine how humid it must be there – and considering that, you did a great job with the powdered sugar! These are such nice cookies. I’ve had these before, and they’re really good. Happy to have a recipe for them! Thanks so much.
Helene, these are spectacular pate sablee linzer cookies. I made some this season two. Love that but I didn’t sandwich them.:) BTW love the name linzer eyes.:) I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year!
ah they are just so cute for christmas!
wish you a happy new year and may 2013 be a prosperous one!
Latest: Thanks for being here in 2012!
These look fantastic!So festive and cute.Love the jam filing too
I can’t never resist buttery shortbread cookies. These look lovely!
Happy New Year!
Hi Helene,
Thank you very much for coming up and sharing delicious treats such as these cookies. Have a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, my friend.
These cookies look so lovely, perfect festive bake! Have a very happy New year, Helene. Love.
They are so cute Helene! What a yummy cookie. I am pretty sure that my German friend has made these for me before and I am also pretty sure that I loved them. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
Linzers are one of my favorite cookies! Yours are adorable.
Gorgeous, classic cookies!! They look delicious, Helene! Happy New Year!!! xo
What lovely cookies and perfect for the season!
Happy New Year!
These turned out just lovely, I wouldn’t have noticed your powdered sugar unless you’d said something:) Linzers are one of my favorite cookies, it’s so wonderful to have an authentic recipe and I love knowing the story behind their creation! xx
I never realized Linzer cookies were an Austrian dish. The are all over the place here and a cookie I remember well from growing up. I’ve never seen them made from scratch though. These are adorable! Your choice in jam sounds delicious as well. I hope you had a Merry Christmas Helene and here’s to a happy, healthy New Year!
I can close my eyes and taste these cookies filled with apricot. One day I hope you’ll visit and we’ll make these together. Happy New Year!!
Hi There, This post is looking great! Hope to see more of your creative endeavours in the new year. Wish you and your family a very Happy and Blessed New Year!!! Happy Holidays
Love & Regards, Sonia !!!
These look seriously wonderful!
So these are Linzer biscuits I have heard so much about! They are beautiful! (I have never seen them here though: maybe they are more popular in the German-speaking part…).
Have you tried putting some rice (uncooked) grains in the jar with confectioner’s sugar? Of course then you would need small holes to dust cakes (smaller than rice grains). It works perfectly well with salt: rice absorbs the moisture. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Helene!! I love Linzer cookies so much –maybe too much. Yours look perfect. Thanks for sharing:)
It’s been a long time since I’ve made this sort of pastry, but your cookies are so lovely that I might have to give them a try soon. Happy new year!
What a pretty cookie, my Mom used to make them as they were quite popular in Hungary too. Cookies with Jam filling are always a winner in our home. Happy New Year Helene! Wishing you all the best for the coming year.
What a gorgeous little cookie and who could refuse that cookie that melts in your mouth instantly! I wish I had had a plate of these laying around this holiday season. Of course they wouldn’t have lasted very long.
Hope you had a great holiday and that your new year is off to a wonderful start!
So pretty and tempting! I love those cookies. They are quite addictive…
I hope you had a wonderful Xmas and New Year.
Best wishes for 2013!
Cheers,
Rosa
Would you believe that for two to three years I have said I want to make this yummy cookie? I still haven’t yet….
Your recipe looks wonderful, and I love your persimmon center, would be a great flavor choice:-) Hugs, Terra
A beautiful and delicate cookie, red currant sounds like a delicious filling.
Love the sablee style cooking more than typical American cookies. Jam filling is perfect for a cup of tea. Very pretty, Helene!