Raspberry Linzer Cookies
In my last post, I talked about some of my favorite Christmas movies, but today I realized that I totally left out one of the absolute best. I’m talking about Love Actually, of course. Duh, Jess! (smacks forehead).
When it comes to love, I’m probably the most cynical, unromantic person you could ever meet. Still, I just love this movie. It made me smile. It made me want to cry. It made me love love (if that makes any sense). For those that don’t know, Love Actually is a romantic comedy that takes place in Britain just before Christmas and revolves around the love lives of several different couples. Some crass humor and potty mouthing makes it not a movie you’d probably want to show the kiddies, but if you’re at the proper age, the movie overall is really good. The stellar cast alone makes it worth seeing: Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson, Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Chiwetel Ejiofor- c’mon, how many times are you gonna get THAT much talent together in one single movie?
There’s a Buzzfeed quiz going on right now where you can see which Love Actually couple you match up with- that gave me an idea to do a short little blurb post about which of the couples/storylines of the movie are my favorite. If you haven’t seen the movie then this post may not make a lot of sense, but bear with me. There may be spoilers, but maybe they’ll just make you want to see it for yourself.
I think my favorite couple of the whole movie is David (Hugh Grant) and Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). First, although there was an attraction between them from the moment that they first met, nothing about it felt rushed or unrealistic. It was gradual, natural and soso sweet. You can tell from their chemistry that they’re gonna be a couple who can always stay laughing- which is important. Between her exuberant smile (seriously, her face glows when she grins) and accidental slips of the tongue, and his wry sense of humor, they make for a perfectly adorable couple. Plus, they had the best ‘first kiss’ of the movie- even if it was a TAD bit embarrassing lol
Honestly, Jamie (Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lucia Monez)’s relationship is a VERY close second to David and Natalie’s for me. Which is weird, considering my cynical view of romance and love. Two people who don’t even speak the same language fall in love over the course of a few weeks and after taking secretly taking Rosetta Stone courses in each other’s languages, decide to get married. Is this something I think is a good idea in real life? No, probably not. In real life, I’d probably give Jamie and Aurelia one year, tops before they call it quits.But this isn’t real life- it’s a movie. They have real, tangible chemistry. Maybe it IS possible to fall in love with someone you can’t even talk to in your own language-I doubt it, but it wouldn’t be the first time I would be wrong about something. And it’s Christmas. So, I’m just gonna say that it was a wonderful, romantic idea and that Jamie and Aurelia will be together forever.
My third ranked Love Actually couple may be a bit of surprise; it’s Harry (Alan Rickman) and Karen (Emma Thompson). For those that have seen the movie, I know you may be scratching your heads, thinking, “Huh? But Jess, remember how their storyline ends?” I know. Just lemme explain. Harry and Karen were the only couple in the movie that had been together in a stable, long-lasting relationship at the start of the plot. Their ‘love actually’ isn’t a picture of what happens when love comes along, but more of a look at what happens when love is tested, when it begins to fade, or even when it’s completely betrayed. It’s not pretty. It hurts. Badly. I’m not sure if I’ll ever forgive Harry/Alan for that scene in the bedroom where Emma/Karen is crying by herself. It made my eyes water- and making me cry about anything is nigh to impossible. Their story is the most heart-wrenching part of the Love Actually…but it’s also the most realistic.
Linzer sandwich cookies are a permanent piece of my childhood at Christmas. We made them every year-or rather, my mom did. I just stood next to her at the counter top, helped spread the jam on the bottom of the cookie and smushed them together. Then I ate them. Now, I get to do all of the above. The cookies themselves have a wonderful flavor from the toasted almonds.The texture is tender, but with a slight crumbly bite- almost like a teatime biscuit. The subtle nutty flavor of the cookie is complimented wonderfully by the sweetness of the jam sandwiched inside. It was a favorite for me back in the day, and it hasn’t lost any points since then, let me tell you.
It’s Day 8 of the 12 Days of Christmas series we’ve been doing on the blog, but more importantly it’s also Fiesta Friday #47, hosted by Angie@TheNoviceGardener and co-hosted by Indu @Indu’s International Kitchen and Jhuls @The Not So Creative Cook. So for those of you at the party, feel free to have some of these cookies, but also feel free to check out the list below of all the recipes from the Christmas series I’ve been putting up over the past week below 🙂
Day 1: Cranberry-Clementine Toaster Tarts
Day 2: Honey Roasted Peanut Popcorn Balls
Day 3: Mexican Chocolate Popcorn Balls
Day 4: Giant Molasses Cookies
Day 5: Crustless Cranberry Pie
Day 6: St. Lucia Buns
Day 7: Brown Sugar Cookies
Day 8: Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Recipe Courtesy of Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez via RealSimple.com
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting work surface
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. confectioners sugar
- 1 12 -ounce jar raspberry jam
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350° F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes; let cool.
2. In a food processor, process the almonds and ¼ cup of the brown sugar until the almonds are finely ground.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the almond mixture, then the flour mixture, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).
5. Divide the dough in half, shape into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
6. Heat oven to 350° F. On a lightly-floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a ⅛-inch thickness. Using a 2- to 2 ½-inch round cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds and place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Using a ¾- to 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the centers from half of the cookies. Reroll and cut the scraps as necessary.
7. Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
8. Sprinkle the confectioners’ sugar on the cookies with the holes. Spread 1 teaspoon jam on the remaining cookies and top with the sugared cookies. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Really love linzer cookies and the torte as well. It really is such a beautiful, festive cookie.
I was actually torn between making an actual linzer torte or these cookies. The cookies won out cause I figured they were more likely to turn out right lol Thank you Suzanne 🙂
My husband & i have a tradition of watching Love Actually every Christmas 🙂 these cookies and a cup of tea would be the perfect accompaniment i think 😊
We watch it every year too- I think they WOULD be perfect to eat while watching with some hot chocolate or tea. Thanks Naina 🙂
They sound and look amazing! I love Linzer Torte anyway, but the toasted almonds make it even better!
I do think the toasted almonds give it such a nice, flavor. They wouldn’t be the same without them, for sure. Thank you Ginger 🙂
Reblogged this on Manuscript Tunes and commented:
Let’s get cooking…
Thank you for sharing my post, I appreciate it!
I love your cookie recipe. It’s so festive. Thank you for posting it.
I am making these for the first time this year after eating lots of them in Switzerland. Love them~
Awesome Cindy- I hope you can make it a tradition, Linzer cookies are so delicious. Thanks for stopping by!
I love ‘Love Actually’. It is one of those typically understated British movies that touches one for no reason and every reason. 🙂
Your Linzer cookies look amazing.
That’s a perfect way to describe Love Actually, Aruna. Thank you 🙂
Beautiful cookies, so festive, I’d want to keep coming back for more.
Thanks Loretta, that’s my main problem with these, I had to start giving them away lol
I’ve always enjoyed Linzer cookies, love the sweet jam and the buttery cookie together, thanks for sharing your recipe and Merry Christmas:)
Thank you Lily- a Merry Christmas to you as well 🙂
These coolies just say hey its CHRISTMAS. So pretty and look delicious.
Thanks Julie- I love it when they taste as good as they look 😉
Loveee linzer cookies, but never made them myself. These look fantastic.
This was my first time making them from scratch- not bad for a first time, I think. Thank you so much Sadia!
Jess, your cookies are all gone and I have only eaten 4. I want more so you need to make more. 😛 These cookies look so good and pretty. Happy FF!
Oh no, Jhuls! I’ll get RIGHT on that asap lol Thank you, Happy Fiesta Friday!
I think my favourite couple is Jamie and Aurelia, but I may be swayed by my love for Colin Firth!
These cookies look delicious, definitely a great accompaniment to a Love Actually rewatch!
Colin Firth will always have a special place in my heart for no other reason than that he will always be my Mr. Darcy lol Thanks Michelle!
I also love linger cookies, and Linzer torte too. This year I made Linzer cookies as well, using mini Christmas cookie cutters to cut out the inside for a festive look. Merry Christmas!
Merry Merry Christmas to you as well- thank you!
Jess, what a lovely post! thanks for that awesomely thorough (:) ) review of Love actually! I have actually (no pun intended!) not watched it! Now I have to rectify that.! And having Linzer cookies while watching would make it just perfect right? thanks for the review and for the lovely recipe! Happy Fiesta Friday and Merry Christmas to you! 🙂