The Sweetest Valentine’s Day Memory
The scent of warm butter and sugar filled my grandma’s kitchen. She handed me a heart-shaped cookie, dusted with snowy powdered sugar. One bite—crunchy, jammy, sweet—and I was hooked. Ever wondered how you could turn Strawberry Jam Linzer Hearts for Valentine’s Day into something unforgettable? These cookies are love baked into every layer. Share them, and watch smiles bloom.My First Linzer Heart Disaster
My first batch? Burnt edges and jam oozing like lava. I forgot to chill the dough, so the shapes spread. But the taste? Still magic. Home cooking teaches patience—and that imperfect can still be delicious. Now I set a timer and laugh at my early messes. What kitchen flop made you a better cook?Why These Cookies Shine
– The buttery crust melts with the jam’s bright fruitiness. – Powdered sugar adds a delicate finish, like winter’s first frost. Which flavor combo surprises you most? Try raspberry jam or lemon zest for a twist. Your turn—pick your favorite pairing!A Cookie with History
Linzer cookies hail from Austria, named after the Linzer torte. They’ve been sweetening holidays since the 1600s. *Did you know the cut-out design lets the jam “peek” like stained glass?* Baking connects us to generations past. What family recipes do you cherish?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1 1/3 cup | |
| Sugar | 1 1/2 cups | |
| Eggs | 2 | |
| Milk | 2 tablespoons | |
| Vanilla | 2 teaspoons | |
| Flour | 4 cups | plus more for rolling |
| Baking powder | 2 teaspoons | |
| Strawberry jam | 1 cup | |
| Heart-shaped cookie cutters | 2 | one larger, one smaller |
| Powdered sugar | As needed | for dusting |
How to Make Strawberry Jam Linzer Hearts
Step 1 Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix well. Use room-temperature butter for smoother dough.
Step 2 Whisk flour and baking powder together. Add half to wet mix, blend, then add rest. Don’t overmix—just until combined.
Step 3 Chill dough 1 hour. This prevents spreading. (*Hard-learned tip: Roll dough between parchment to avoid sticking.*)
Step 4 Roll dough 1/4-inch thick. Cut large hearts, then small centers. Bake at 375°F for 7–11 minutes. Watch closely!
Step 5 Cool fully before assembling. Spread jam on whole hearts, top with cut-outs. Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finish. What’s your trick for rolling sticky dough? Share below! Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes Yield: 20 servings Category: Dessert, Cookies
Fun Twists on Linzer Hearts
Raspberry Rose: Swap strawberry jam for raspberry. Add a drop of rose water to the dough.
Chocolate Hazelnut: Use Nutella instead of jam. Sprinkle crushed hazelnuts on top.
Lemon Lavender: Fill with lemon curd. Add dried lavender to the dough for a floral kick. Which twist would you try first? Vote in the comments!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
Serve with fresh berries or whipped cream. Pack in a gift box for a sweet Valentine’s surprise. Pair with hot cocoa or spiced chai for kids. Adults will love them with dessert wine or espresso. Which would you choose tonight?
Storage Tips for Your Linzer Hearts
Keep these cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container. They last up to 5 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze them without powdered sugar for 2 months. Thaw at room temp before dusting. *Fun fact: My grandkids sneak these from the freezer—they’re that good!* Batch-cook note: Double the recipe and freeze half unbaked. Rolled dough keeps for 3 months. Why this matters: Fresh jam can soften cookies, so layer with parchment between stacks. Ever tried freezing jam-filled cookies? Share your tricks!Fix Common Linzer Heart Problems
Dough too sticky? Chill it longer or add a sprinkle of flour. Cookies spread too much? Your butter might’ve been too soft—try colder dough next time. Jam leaking? Use less and avoid edges. Why this matters: Small tweaks make pretty, professional results. My first batch looked like blobs—practice helps! Which issue trips you up most? Comment below.Your Linzer Heart Questions Answered
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Swap flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend. Add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum for structure.
Q: How far ahead can I prep?
A: Dough lasts 24 hours chilled. Baked cookies stay fresh 2 days before filling.
Q: Any jam swaps?
A: Raspberry or apricot work great. Avoid runny jams—they soak the cookies.
Q: Can I halve the recipe?
A: Yes! Use 1 egg (beat it, measure half). Adjust bake time for smaller batches.
Q: No cookie cutters?
A: Use a glass for circles or a knife to carve hearts. Imperfections taste just as sweet!
Spread the Love
These Linzer Hearts are my Valentine’s staple—simple but full of heart. Whip them up with kids or friends for extra fun.Tag @SpoonSway on Pinterest with your creations! Did you try a twist? Tell me below. Happy cooking! —Sarah Cooper.
Strawberry Jam Linzer Hearts for Valentine’s Day
Description
Delightful heart-shaped cookies filled with strawberry jam, perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blend well and then add the other half.
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, but no longer than 24 hours.
- Preheat oven the to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Using a rolling pin or clean wine bottle, roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out two large hearts. In the center of one large heart, cut out a smaller heart. Transfer one whole large heart and large heart with center removed to a parchment lined baking sheet. Continue until no dough is left. I used a 4 and 3 inch cookie cutter.
- Bake each batch for 7-11 minutes (time will vary greatly depending on how large your cookies are).
- Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool fully.
- After the cookies have cooled, spread a thin layer of strawberry jam on the large cookie, covering the whole thing.
- Top with a cut-out cookie and sprinkle with the powdered sugar.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough thoroughly before rolling and cutting. Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Strawberry, Jam, Linzer, Hearts, Valentine’s Day, Cookies