Linzer Bars Recipes

RASPBERRY LINZER BARS

Steps:

• In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and the sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and add honey, zest, cinnamon and spices. Continue mixing for one more minute. Scarpe down the sides and add egg. Mix again until well blended.
• Sift the dry ingredients together. On low speed, add the sifted dry ingredients to the butter mixture and continue to mix until a dough is formed.
• Remove the dough from the mixer, wrap in plastic film and refridgerate for about 2 hours.
• Butter the bottom and sides of a 9 inches cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with wax or parchment paper. Remove dough from the refridgerator and divide into two. Dredge the work surface with flour and with a rolling pin, roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thick, forming a 12 inch circle. This will be for the bottom of the torte. Line the bottom and sides of the prepared cake pan with the circle.
• For the top of the torte, use the second half of dough, roll it to 1/2 inch thick to create a 9 by 12 inch rectangle. Refridgerate both the top and the bottom for about 20 minutes.
• Remove from refridgerator and fill bottom half with raspberry jam.
• Preheat the over to 350°F.
• Create a lattice with the rectangular piece of dough by cutting 12, 9 inch strips (Use a piece of cardbpard to build the lattice to make it easy to slide onto the bottom of the torte). Slide the lattice onto the jam filled bottom. Fold the edges of the dough up and over the top of the torte.
• Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. For a holiday accent, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

LINZERTORTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add eggs and lemon zest; stir until mixture forms a ball. Divide into fourths. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until chilled. , Remove two portions of dough from refrigerator; press each into an ungreased 9-in. fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Spread 2/3 cup jam over each., Between two sheets of lightly floured waxed paper, roll one portion of remaining dough into a 10x6-in. rectangle. Cut six 1-in.-wide strips; arrange in a lattice design over jam. Repeat with remaining dough (return dough to the refrigerator if needed). , Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and crust is browned. Cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

LINZER BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Position the rack in the middle of the oven.
• Spread hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven until golden, about 10 minutes. Turn oven off since you will not need it on again for at least 45 minutes. Empty nuts onto a folded towel, enclosing them between the folds, and rub them to remove their skins. Transfer the nuts to a strainer and carefully discard the skins. Allow nuts to cool to room temperature.
• Put the hazelnuts in a food processor fitted with the stainless-steel blade and pulse a few times. Add cake flour and process until the nuts are finely ground. Set aside.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and lemon zest on medium speed until light and creamy. Turn the mixer off and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Over medium speed, add the egg and continue mixing for 1 more minute. Reduce the speed to low, add the hazelnut-flour mixture, and continue mixing until well blended into a smooth dough.
• Divide the dough into 2 portions, with 1 portion about 8 ounces or 1/3 of the dough. Transfer to a medium pastry bag fitted with a number 1 plain tip and set aside. With the remaining 2/3 of the dough (about 20 ounces), form into a 1-inch flat disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• With a marking pen, trace a 16 by 13-inch rectangle shape on parchment paper. Place paper, marked side down, onto a baking sheet. With the reserved dough in the pastry bag, pipe straight parallel lines, about 1-inch apart, inside the marked rectangle. Then pipe a second set of parallel lines at a 45 degree angle to the first set of lines to make a trellis shape. Refrigerate until needed (dough should be well chilled before using).
• With more cake flour, lightly dust a pastry board or work surface with flour. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough to a rectangular shape, about 15 by 12 inches by 1/4-inch thick. Transfer dough to a parchment lined baking sheet and trim any excess dough to make an even rectangle. Bake for 20 minutes, or until dough starts to color. Remove baking sheet from the oven and transfer to a rack. Leave oven on. Allow dough to cool for at least 10 minutes.
• Spread raspberry jam over the entire surface of the cooled dough. Carefully place the refrigerated trellis-shaped dough over the jam. Return to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden in color. Allow to cool completely before cutting. Trim edges and then cut into 3 by 1-inch bars. Lightly dust bars with powdered sugar.

LINZER COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, place sugar cookie mix. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly (do not overmix). Press mixture firmly in bottom of pan.
• Bake 15 minutes. Spoon and spread jam evenly over partially baked crust.
• Meanwhile, in another large bowl, place oatmeal cookie mix. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly (do not overmix). Stir in water and chopped almonds. Sprinkle oatmeal cookie mixture over jam layer; press lightly into jam layer.
• Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until top is light golden brown and bubbling along edges. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

LINZER TORTE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Mix all ingredients except preserves with spoon until crumbly. Press two-thirds of crumbly mixture on bottom of ungreased square pan, 9x9x2 inches. Spread with preserves. Sprinkle with remaining crumbly mixture; press gently into preserves.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For 48 bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows bars. Or cut into squares or triangles.