Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year – cookie season! As the days grow shorter and the air fills with the aroma of freshly baked treats, our kitchens become bustling hubs of festive creation. Among the myriad of holiday confections, the elegant Linzer cookie stands out as a true star. Beloved for its delicate, buttery texture and vibrant fruit filling, it’s a timeless classic that brings joy to every cookie box. This year, we’re taking this cherished tradition to a whole new level with our exquisite **Brown Butter Cardamom Linzer Cookies with Passion Fruit Jelly**, guaranteed to be the highlight of any festive gathering or thoughtful gift.
Please note: The content of this post has been sponsored by Da Vine Foods. All opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links.
In pursuit of culinary perfection, we’ve partnered with Da Vine Foods to infuse our Linzer cookies with an unforgettable tropical twist. Their exceptional Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Jelly provides the perfect balance of sweet and tart, cutting through the rich, nutty notes of brown butter and the warm spice of cardamom. The result? A sophisticated, layered flavor profile that will surprise and delight even the most discerning palates. Prepare to elevate your holiday baking with these sensational Brown Butter Cardamom Linzer Cookies with Passion Fruit Jelly – a truly extraordinary addition to your festive repertoire.
Unveiling the Linzer Cookie: A Classic Holiday Delicacy
For those unfamiliar with this charming confection, a Linzer cookie is essentially a small, exquisite sandwich cookie. It typically comprises two delicate, buttery shortbread-style cookies embracing a sweet filling, most commonly a fruit jam or curd. What makes the Linzer cookie instantly recognizable and undeniably beautiful is the small cutout shape on the top cookie, which elegantly reveals the colorful filling beneath. This peek-through design, often dusted with a fine veil of powdered sugar, not only adds to its visual appeal but also hints at the delightful burst of flavor contained within. Their intricate appearance and delightful taste have made them a staple in holiday baking across many cultures.
The Linzer cookie’s origins trace back to the famous Linzer Torte, a rich, spiced pastry with a lattice top from Linz, Austria, believed to be one of the oldest cakes in the world. Over time, this grand torte was adapted into smaller, more manageable cookie form, retaining its signature buttery almond crust and fruit filling. Traditional Linzer cookies often feature raspberry or apricot jam, but modern interpretations, like our innovative recipe, allow for a delightful exploration of new flavor combinations. Their delicate crumb and elegant presentation make them a perennial favorite for gifting, cookie exchanges, and festive dessert platters during the winter season.
Crafting Perfection: A Guide to Making Linzer Cookies
Making Linzer cookies, while appearing intricate, is a surprisingly accessible baking project that any home baker can master. The dough itself is quite similar to other shortbread or sugar cookie doughs, making it easy to prepare with standard kitchen equipment. For optimal results and ease, we highly recommend using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. This allows for thorough mixing and creaming, resulting in a light and tender cookie. However, if a stand mixer isn’t available, an electric hand mixer will work just as effectively to achieve the desired consistency.
The classic Linzer cookie features a circular shape with a smaller circular cutout in the center. Fortunately, specialized Linzer cookie cutters are readily available online and often come in sets with various interchangeable shapes, allowing for creative variations like stars, hearts, or festive holiday designs. We personally love THIS particular set for its versatility and durability. If you don’t have dedicated Linzer cutters, don’t despair! A standard biscuit cutter or even the rim of a drinking glass can serve as your main circular cutter. For the smaller cutout, you can use a knife to carefully create a shape, or even the small end of a pastry tip. The key is to have fun with the process and let your creativity shine. Proper chilling of the dough is crucial for easy handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring those beautifully defined edges and cutouts.
Essential Ingredients for Our Unique Linzer Cookies
Our Brown Butter Cardamom Linzer Cookies with Passion Fruit Jelly stand apart thanks to a few carefully selected ingredients that elevate their flavor profile from good to absolutely extraordinary. While some items might not be standard pantry staples, they are well worth seeking out for the unparalleled taste experience they deliver.
The Foundation: Almond Flour
Firstly, **almond flour** is a non-negotiable component in this recipe. It imparts a delicate, subtly nutty flavor and contributes to the cookies’ wonderfully tender crumb, a hallmark of exceptional Linzer cookies. We strongly advise against skipping this ingredient, as it’s integral to the cookie’s unique texture and taste. Should you find almond flour elusive in your local grocery store, an excellent alternative is to lightly toast whole almonds in a skillet until fragrant, then process them into a fine flour in a food processor. This method provides a similar depth of almond flavor and texture.
The Aromatic Twist: Ground Cardamom
Next, we introduce **ground green cardamom pods**. Cardamom is often referred to as the “Queen of Spices” for good reason. Its flavor is remarkably complex – simultaneously sweet, pungently aromatic, slightly citrusy, and with a delicate whisper of mint. It’s a versatile spice that shines in both sweet and savory applications. While pre-ground cardamom is available at most grocery stores, we highly recommend purchasing whole green cardamom pods and grinding them fresh using a spice grinder (or even a dedicated coffee grinder, like THIS one). Grinding fresh pods just before use releases their maximum fragrance and potency, ensuring an intense, vibrant cardamom essence in every bite of these cookies. The warm, exotic notes of cardamom perfectly complement the brown butter and passion fruit, creating a harmonious and sophisticated flavor combination.
The Golden Secret: Brown Butter
If you’ve yet to experience the magic of **brown butter**, prepare for a revelation! This seemingly simple ingredient transformation takes any dish, but especially baked goods, to an entirely new dimension of flavor. Brown butter is simply unsalted butter that has been gently cooked over medium heat until its milk solids caramelize and turn a beautiful golden brown. This process imparts a deep, rich, nutty, and slightly toffee-like flavor that is absolutely irresistible. The nutty aroma that fills your kitchen while making brown butter is a treat in itself. Don’t worry if you haven’t made it before; detailed instructions are included in the recipe below. The nuanced depth brown butter adds to these Linzer cookies makes them truly extraordinary, far surpassing cookies made with plain butter.
The Tropical Heart: Lilikoi Jelly (Passion Fruit Jelly)
Finally, the pièce de résistance: **Lilikoi Jelly**, also known as Passion Fruit Jelly. This vibrant, exotic filling is what truly sets these cookies apart, transforming them into an unforgettable Christmas or Holiday Cookie that will captivate anyone fortunate enough to receive them as a gift this year. Its bright, tangy-sweet flavor profile provides a dazzling contrast to the rich, warm spices of the cookies, creating a perfectly balanced and utterly addictive treat.
Exploring the Exquisite Passion Fruit: Nature’s Tropical Jewel
Passion fruit, known as Lilikoi in Hawaii (pronounced “lily” flower and “koi” fish), is a truly remarkable tropical fruit cherished for its intensely aromatic and uniquely balanced sweet and tart flavor. Typically round with a tough, often wrinkled yellow or purple skin, a simple cut reveals a treasure trove of vibrant, gelatinous pulp filled with tiny, edible black seeds. While the thin white layer just beneath the skin can be bitter and tough, the fragrant pulp itself is a delightful indulgence, perfect for spooning straight from the fruit or straining for its exquisite juice.
Da Vine Foods, based in Hawaii, masterfully harnesses the magic of Lilikoi, making it incredibly convenient for home cooks and bakers alike. They offer a range of high-quality, delicious passion fruit products, doing all the hard work for you. Their Lilikoi Jelly, which we proudly feature in these Brown Butter Cardamom Linzer Cookies, is exceptionally versatile. Beyond being a stellar cookie filling, it’s perfect for brightening your morning toast, drizzling over pancakes or waffles, adding a sophisticated tang to a charcuterie board, or serving as an irresistible topping for baked brie. Its dynamic flavor also lends itself beautifully to savory applications; we’ve successfully used it as a marinade for succulent pork or to create a glossy, sweet-and-tangy glaze for flaky salmon. This jelly isn’t just an ingredient; it’s a flavor enhancer that brings a taste of the tropics to any dish.
Da Vine Hawaii offers an impressive selection of delicious Lilikoi products that can transform your cooking and baking. Explore some of our other favorite recipes showcasing their incredible passion fruit creations:
- Passion Fruit White Chocolate Mint Gelato: A refreshingly unique dessert combining creamy gelato with the bright zest of passion fruit and a hint of mint.
- Passion Fruit and Peach Waffles: Elevate your breakfast or brunch with the sweet and tangy notes of Lilikoi complementing juicy peaches on fluffy waffles.
- Polynesian Pulled Pork Tacos: A savory delight where passion fruit adds an unexpected depth and tropical tang to slow-cooked pulled pork.
- Passion Fruit Cocktails: Discover invigorating drink recipes that harness the vibrant flavor of Lilikoi for a taste of paradise.
- Pumpkin Passion Fruit Spice Cake: A seasonal sensation, blending warm pumpkin spices with the bright, tropical burst of passion fruit.
These recipes are just a glimpse of the culinary adventures awaiting you with Da Vine Hawaii’s Lilikoi products. You can conveniently order their premium passion fruit purees, jellies, and other delightful offerings online, direct from Hawaii, by visiting the Da Vine Foods website HERE.
As a special treat for our valued readers, Da Vine Foods has generously provided an exclusive discount code! Experience the magic of their Lilikoi products for yourself and receive **15% off your order of $50 or more, with shipping always free! Simply use code CWW15 at checkout.** Don’t miss this opportunity to infuse your kitchen with the exquisite flavors of Hawaiian passion fruit and create unforgettable culinary masterpieces.
Embrace the Joy of Baking and Gifting!
We pour our hearts into developing recipes that not only taste incredible but also bring people together. These Brown Butter Cardamom Linzer Cookies with Passion Fruit Jelly are more than just a dessert; they are a celebration of flavor, tradition, and the simple pleasure of sharing homemade goodness. The combination of nutty brown butter, aromatic cardamom, and the vibrant tang of passion fruit jelly creates a truly unique and sophisticated cookie that will leave a lasting impression.
Whether you’re baking a batch for a festive party, assembling thoughtful cookie boxes for friends and family, or simply treating yourself to a moment of culinary bliss, these Linzer cookies are sure to delight. Their beautiful appearance and complex flavors make them ideal for special occasions, transforming any ordinary day into something extraordinary. Imagine the delight on someone’s face as they bite into this buttery, spiced cookie, discovering the sweet and tangy tropical burst of Lilikoi. They are truly a gift from the heart, made with passion and care.
We genuinely hope you enjoy every step of this recipe and savor every single bite. If you decide to embark on this delicious baking adventure, we would absolutely love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below sharing your experience, tips, or any creative twists you added. And don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine so we can admire your beautiful creations and celebrate your baking success! Happy baking, and happy cookie season!
📖 Recipe
Brown Butter Cardamom Linzer Cookies with Passion Fruit Jelly
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Brown Butter
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter (European preferred – 82% minimum butterfat)
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Brown butter
- 1 cup Almond Flour (100 g)
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour (250 g)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (pinch)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- Da Vine Foods Lilikoi Jelly for the filling (or fruit jelly of choice)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Make the brown butter
- Add butter to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Use your nose and eyes – you want to stir enough so the milk solids don’t stick to the bottom. Cook until the milk solids start to brown and the aroma is nutty (approx 5 min). At this point, remove from the heat and use or let cool and refrigerate. Ensure when removing from the pan, you get all of the brown milk solids for best flavor.
- Allow brown butter to come to cool to room temperature while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
Make the Cookie Dough
- Add almond and all-purpose flours to a bowl with the baking powder, salt, and cardamom. Whisk to combine completely.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer), add brown butter and sugar. Mix at medium speed until the mixture looks light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the whole egg and egg yolk and continue to mix until combined.
- Add vanilla and ginger and mix until just combined.
- Reduce speed and add flour mixture slowly (about ⅓ at a time). Make sure each addition is mixed completely before adding more.
- Once flour mixture is completely combined, bring contents together with your hands into a ball and place on a flat surface covered with plastic wrap. Press the ball into a flat disc, wrap, and place in the fridge for 1 hour. Alternatively, you can keep the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Once you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350° F (175° C) and remove dough from fridge. Allow dough to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to soften slightly.
- Lightly flour a clean flat surface, unwrap dough, and gently roll out until ⅛ inch thick. The dough may crack a little, so use your hands to bring the dough back together as needed. Using a round cookie cutter and a smaller shape cookie cutter (or find Linzer cookie cutters online), cut equal numbers of solid round cookies and rounds with shape cutouts. The solid round cookies will be the bottom of the sandwich, and the rounds with cutouts will be the top.
- With a small spatula, gently place the cut dough onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bring the remaining dough scraps back together in a ball and repeat Step 9 until almost all dough has been cut. If the dough feels too soft and unmanageable, place it back in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Bake cookies for a total of 10-12 minutes, turning the tray at the 5-6 minute mark for even baking. Your cookies should be very lightly browned with the edges set. Once they are done, remove them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- To complete the cookies, add powdered sugar to a fine sieve and generously dust the rounds with cutouts. Then, add a ½ teaspoon of Passion Fruit Jelly to the center of each solid round. Carefully place the powdered sugar dusted rounds with cutouts on top of each filled cookie, creating beautiful sandwiches. Serve and enjoy!
