Linzer Torte Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup apricot, raspberry, or strawberry jam

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of cold water and mix with a fork until the dough comes together.
5. Divide the dough in half and roll out each portion on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch.
6. Using a 2- to 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles of dough. Place the circles on an ungreased baking sheet and spread 1/2 teaspoon of jam on half of the circles.
7. Cut out shapes (hearts, stars, circles, etc.) from the remaining dough circles and place on top of the jam-filled circles.
8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Interesting Facts

• The Linzer Torte is a traditional Austrian dessert.
• It is believed that the Linzer Torte originated in the city of Linz in 1653.
• The traditional Linzer Torte is made with a dough of ground hazelnuts, flour, butter, and sugar.
• The Linzer Torte is the oldest known cake in the world.