Linzer Cookie

Confident Levelled Recipe - Safely works with unpasteurized Ingredients such as eggs and flour!

This adorable cookie is perfect for any and all occasions! Think outside the box with the internal mini cookie cutter shape and filling to fit it to any holiday or occasion!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup of butter, softened and at room temperature

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 & 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 1 egg, at room temperature

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Optional:
- powdered sugar for décor on the top
- jam, curd, or paste type filling

PROCESS:

• Mix the butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 - 2 minutes.

• Add the egg and the vanilla extract just until incorporated!

• At a low speed, add the flour, salt and baking powder just until a dough forms.

• Divide the dough into 2 discs and cover in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours!
  
  The Prep:

• Preheat the oven to 375F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and leave it at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. This will help with rolling it out as it no longer feel rock-hard but instead soft and cold.

• Roll one of the dough disks on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 3/16inches (or 4.5mm).

• For the top linzer cookie:
  Cut out 1&1/2 inch scalloped or plain circles. Within these circles, cut out maximum 1 inch centers of nay shape you desire using mini cookie cutters!

• For the bottom linzer cookie:
  Cut out 1&1/2 inch scalloped or plain circles.

• Place the cookies 2 inches apart on your baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  

  The Bake:

• Bake for 7-9 minutes, the edges should be golden/lightly brown.

• Leave to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes prior to moving them to a cooling rack.
  
  The Assembly:

• Once completely cooled down, 30 minutes, you can begin assembly and décor!

• Option 1: Sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the cookies with the hole and spread your thick filling on the flat side of your whole cookies! Then carefully add the top, powdered sugar hole cookie on top!

• Option 2: Spread your thick filling on the flat side of your whole cookies! Then add the top, hole cookie on top!

• Option 3: Dip your top of the cookie with the hole in melted chocolate (any color)! Quickly add sprinkles or toppings of choice on the chocolate prior to it cooling down. Spread your thick filling on the flat side of your whole cookies! Then carefully add the top, sprinkle/chocolate covered hole cookie on top!

This recipe makes about 24, 1 & 1/2 inch cookies!