Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

I absolutely love this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe because it brings together the best of both worlds: buttery, tender cookies with a luscious salted caramel filling that’s hard to resist. When I first tried making Linzer cookies, I was hooked by their delicate texture and how the caramel’s sweet-salty punch just elevates every bite.

You’ll find that these cookies are perfect for special occasions or anytime you want a treat that feels both classic and a bit luxurious. Plus, once you get the hang of the process, they’re surprisingly straightforward to make—trust me, your friends and family will go crazy for them!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe, the ingredients combine simple pantry staples with rich flavors to create cookies that melt in your mouth. Using quality butter and fresh eggs really makes a difference here, and I always recommend using flakey sea salt for that perfect finishing touch.

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter ensures a smooth mix and tender cookie texture.
• White granulated sugar: Provides the sweetness and crunch needed in the cookie dough.
• Kosher salt: Adds balanced seasoning to the dough without overpowering the sweet flavors.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a cozy, aromatic note.
• Egg and egg yolk: Give the dough richness and help bind everything together.
• All-purpose flour: The structure of the cookies depends on this—be sure to measure accurately!
• White sugar for caramel: Careful caramelizing this sugar leads to luscious salted caramel.
• Water for caramel: Helps dissolve sugar evenly to prevent burning.
• Heavy cream: Adds silky smoothness to the caramel sauce.
• Flakey sea salt: Sprinkled on top to balance sweetness with a delightful crunch.

Variations

I love to mix things up with this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe depending on the season or who I’m baking for. It’s easy to swap out shapes or add fun twists to the caramel, making each batch feel fresh and special.

• Nutty Twist: I sometimes add finely chopped toasted pecans to the cookie dough for subtle crunch and nutty aroma—my family can’t get enough!
• Chocolate Drizzle: After assembling, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the tops for a decadent finish that really wows guests.
• Spiced Caramel: A pinch of cinnamon or chili powder in the caramel adds a cozy or spicy kick, perfect for autumn baking.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that measures 1:1 to keep the cookies tender and delicious.

How to Make Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating your room-temperature butter, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 minutes. I learned that taking your time here really pays off; it creates that wonderfully tender cookie crumb we all love. From there, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, beating just until everything is incorporated.

Step 2: Bringing in the Flour and Chilling the Dough

Add the flour in two batches, mixing gently each time until fully combined. The dough will feel soft and a bit delicate, which is normal—resist the urge to add extra flour! Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least an hour. I find that chilling it longer, even overnight, makes rolling out a breeze and keeps the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

Step 3: Rolling and Cutting Out the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Roll the dough between sheets of parchment paper to about 1/8-inch thickness. One trick I discovered is to chill the rolled dough for a quick 5 minutes in the freezer before stamping out your cookies—this helps them keep their shape. Use your favorite cookie cutters to stamp out the bases and tops; remember, the tops get the cut-out centers for that signature Linzer look!

Step 4: Baking to Perfection

Bake your cookies on a lined baking sheet for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. I always keep a close eye near the end to avoid overbaking, since they continue to cook a little from residual heat. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely on the pan before moving them to a rack.

Step 5: Making the Salted Caramel

For the caramel, dissolve sugar in water over medium-low heat, then crank up the heat to let it slowly turn golden brown—this step requires patience, but it’s worth every second. Stir in butter, then heavy cream and vanilla, whisking until smooth. Don’t worry if it foams up; just keep gentle, steady stirring. Let the caramel cool until it’s thickened but still pourable—if it cools too much, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave does the trick.

Step 6: Assembling the Cookies

Dust the cookie tops (with the cut-out centers) generously with powdered sugar—it adds a pretty contrast! Spread a thin layer of the salted caramel on the bottom cookies, sprinkle a pinch of flakey sea salt over the caramel, then sandwich with the sugared tops. This finishing salt really pops and brings the salted caramel experience home. Store the sandwiches in an airtight container; they’re best eaten within 3 days.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I keep garnishes simple with these cookies, usually just a dusting of powdered sugar on top—it gives that classic Linzer cookie look. Sometimes, I add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a few extra flakes of sea salt on the sandwich tops for a fancy touch when guests come over.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of milk. I’ve found that serving them alongside sliced fresh fruit or a small cheese platter makes for a delightful dessert board that everyone loves.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these cookies in a festive tin or stack them on a pretty cake stand wrapped with a ribbon. Adding edible flowers or small sprigs of fresh herbs like rosemary around the platter really ups the presentation game and makes them feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover assembled Linzer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. The caramel softens the cookie bottoms slightly but in the best way, making them even more melt-in-your-mouth.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, freeze the unbaked dough discs or baked cookie layers separately. I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and they freeze wonderfully for up to 2 months. When ready, just thaw and assemble with fresh caramel.

Reheating

Reheating assembled cookies is generally not necessary, but if you want a slightly gooey caramel experience, gently warm them in a microwave for 5–10 seconds. If you reheat cookies alone, do so at a low oven temperature for just a few minutes to avoid drying them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe enough—it’s one of those recipes that I keep coming back to, whether it’s for the holidays, gifts, or just a cozy weekend baking session. The combination of the tender cookie and rich salted caramel is truly irresistible, and once you try it, you’ll want to share them with everyone you know. So grab your apron, follow these steps, and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite cookie!

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