When it comes to Valentine’s Day treats, nothing says “I love you” like a batch of homemade cookies, and these Red Velvet Linzer Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the occasion. Combining the rich, velvety flavor of red velvet cake with the delicate texture of a traditional Linzer cookie, these treats are both elegant and delicious. The buttery, soft cookies are filled with a sweet, tangy raspberry jam and dusted with powdered sugar, making them an irresistible addition to any dessert table.

Not only do these Red Velvet Linzer Cookies taste amazing, but they also make a beautiful gift for someone special. The contrast of the vibrant red cookie against the bright jam filling is visually striking, and the heart-shaped cutouts make them especially fitting for Valentine’s Day. These cookies are sure to impress with their stunning appearance and delightful flavor, making them a perfect way to share the love this season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Beautiful and Festive

The vibrant red color of the cookies and the heart-shaped cutouts make these Linzer cookies visually stunning and perfect for Valentine’s Day.

2. Rich Flavor

With the subtle cocoa taste of red velvet, combined with the sweetness of the raspberry jam, these cookies offer a unique flavor profile that’s both indulgent and sophisticated.

3. Perfectly Sweet and Tart

The tangy raspberry jam filling balances out the sweetness of the cookies, giving them the perfect combination of flavors.

4. Great for Gifting

These cookies are a wonderful homemade gift for friends, family, or a special someone. The heart shape and jam filling make them a thoughtful gesture of love.

5. Fun to Make

With their fun cutouts and colorful dough, making these cookies is a joyful and rewarding activity—whether you’re baking with loved ones or on your own.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking powder
Salt
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
Red food coloring
Raspberry jam (or any jam of your choice)
Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Variations

Different Jam Flavors: Swap out the raspberry jam for strawberry, apricot, or cherry jam for a twist on the traditional Linzer cookie.
Nutty Linzer Cookies: Add finely ground almonds or hazelnuts to the dough for a nutty, traditional flavor reminiscent of classic Linzer cookies.
Decorative Icing: Drizzle a little white chocolate or royal icing on top of the cookies to make them even more festive.
Darker Red Velvet: Use extra food coloring if you want a more vibrant red color for the dough.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Stir in the red food coloring until the dough reaches your desired shade of red.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. The dough will be soft. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough is chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out full cookies, and then use a smaller heart-shaped cutter or other desired shape to create a cutout in the center of half the cookies.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 5: Assemble the Cookies

Once the cookies are cooled, spread a layer of raspberry jam on the whole cookies (the ones without the cutout). Place the cookies with the cutout on top, pressing down gently to create a sandwich. Dust with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

These Red Velvet Linzer Cookies are ready to be served! Enjoy them with a hot cup of tea or coffee, or package them up as a beautiful Valentine’s Day gift.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step. The dough needs to be firm in order to roll it out and cut out clean shapes.
Use a Cookie Cutter with Sharp Edges: A sharp-edged cutter will help you achieve clean, defined edges on the cookies.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies while baking—overbaking will result in a dry cookie. They should remain soft and chewy inside.
Ensure Even Rolling: Use an even hand when rolling out the dough to ensure that the cookies bake evenly and hold their shape.
Sift Dry Ingredients: Sifting the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder will prevent clumps in the dough and ensure a smooth texture.

How to Serve

These Red Velvet Linzer Cookies are perfect on their own or can be paired with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or a hot cup of tea. They’re great for serving at a Valentine’s Day gathering, adding a sweet touch to a dessert buffet, or simply enjoying with loved ones. You can also wrap them in a cute gift box or tin to give as a thoughtful homemade treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They will stay fresh and delicious when stored properly.

Freezing

If you want to make these cookies in advance, you can freeze the dough before baking. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will last for up to 3 months. To bake, let the dough thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before rolling and cutting.

Reheating

To reheat the cookies, warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes, or microwave them for 10-15 seconds for a soft, gooey treat.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different food coloring?

Yes, you can use any type of food coloring to achieve the desired color for the dough. Gel food coloring works best for vibrant, consistent color.

2. Can I use a different jam flavor?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the raspberry jam for any flavor you prefer, such as strawberry, blueberry, or apricot.

3. How can I make the dough less sticky?

If the dough is too sticky to handle, add a little extra flour to the mixture, but be careful not to add too much as it can change the texture of the cookies.

4. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can make these cookies gluten-free by swapping out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure that the other ingredients are also gluten-free.

5. Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. Just wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for longer storage.

6. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Make sure the dough is chilled thoroughly before baking, as this helps prevent the cookies from spreading excessively during baking.

7. Can I add nuts to the cookies?

While traditional Linzer cookies don’t typically contain nuts, you can add finely ground almonds or hazelnuts to the dough for a nutty flavor.

8. Can I make the cookies without the cutout?

Yes, you can skip the heart-shaped cutout and simply make sandwich cookies with full cookies for a more traditional Linzer style.

9. How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies are done when the edges begin to firm up but the centers remain soft. They should have a slight golden hue on the edges.

10. How can I make these cookies more festive?

Decorate the cookies with sprinkles, drizzle them with white or dark chocolate, or use icing to add more colorful designs.

Conclusion

These Red Velvet Linzer Cookies are a delightful combination of rich, velvety red velvet flavor and the delicate, buttery texture of a classic Linzer cookie. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion, they make an elegant, delicious treat that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or gifting them to a friend, these cookies are a sweet way to show you care.