Linzer Cookies

Total Time: 3 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 18
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup ground almonds, toasted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pam cooking spray
• 3/4 cup red raspberry preserves
• confectioners' sugar

Recipe

• 1 mix flour, almonds and baking powder in small bowl; set aside.
• 2 beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. add egg and vanilla; mix well. add flour mixture; beat until well blended.
• 3 divide dough into four equal portions; wrap individually with plastic wrap. refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
• 4 preheat oven to 350°f spray baking sheet with cooking spray. place one portion of dough between two sheets of waxed paper; roll to 1/8-inch thickness. cut into round shapes with 2-1/2-inch cookie cutter. place, 1 inch apart, on prepared baking sheet. cut three (1/4-inch) circles from half of the cookies using a sharp knife. repeat with remaining dough.
• 5 bake 8 to 10 minutes, or just until edges are lightly browned. remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• 6 assemble cookies by spreading 2 teaspoons preserves onto each solid cookie; top with 1 cut-out cookie. sift confectioners' sugar over assembled cookies. store in airtight container at room temperature.
• 7 tip: to prevent dough from sticking to your cookie cutter, spray it with pam baking.
• 8 additional recipe ideas and more information about pam baking can be found online at www.pam.ca.