- Cornmeal: Adds texture and wholesomeness to the cookie base
- Unsalted Butter: To ensure flakiness and richness (make sure it’s chilled)
- Brown Sugar: Provides moisture and a deeper sweetness
- Granulated Sugar: Enhances the overall sweetness of the cookies
- Eggs: For binding and ensuring moistness
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, comforting aroma and flavor
- All-Purpose Flour: To strengthen the structure of the cookie dough
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent for rise and fluffiness
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors (use in moderation)
- Almond Paste or Amaretti Cookies: For the filling, adding a nutty, crunchy texture
- Egg White Glaze: To create a shiny finish and enhance the cookie's appearance
By using these ingredients, you can make delicious cranberry cornmeal Linzer cookies that are perfect for holiday baking. Remember to use high-quality ingredients to ensure the best taste and texture!
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### Cranberry Cornmeal Linzer Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat
Linzer cookies are a delicious and classic Christmas cookie that combines sweet flavors and textures. This recipe for cranberry cornmeal linzer cookies is perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holiday season.
#### Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal (white or whole-grain)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, dried or frozen (thawed if using frozen)
- Egg white for glazing
#### Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Rolling pin
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
#### Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Base
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
#### Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients
1. **Add Egg Yolk and Lemon Zest:** Beat in the egg yolk and lemon zest into the mixture.
2. **Fold in Cranberries:** Gently fold in the cranberries to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
#### Step 3: Form the Dough
1. **Divide Dough:** Divide the dough into two equal parts.
2. **Chill Dough:** Wrap each part of the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or until firm enough to roll out.
#### Step 4: Prepare Cookie Shapes
1. **Roll Out Dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
2. **Cut Cookies:** Use a round cookie cutter and a smaller heart-shaped cutter to cut out circles from the rolled dough.
#### Step 5: Assemble Linzer Cookies
1. **Place Bottom Cookie:** Place the round cookies, bottom-side up, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. **Fill Bottom Cookie:** Spoon a small amount of cranberry jam (like raspberry or strawberry) into the center of each circle using a piping bag or a spoon.
3. **Cut Top Cookie Pieces:** Roll out the remaining dough and cut out heart-shaped pieces to cover the filling.
#### Step 6: Assemble and Bake
1. **Place Heart on Filling:** Place one heart piece over the jam in each cookie, pressing down slightly to seal.
2. **Prick with Forks:** Use a fork to gently prick holes around the edges of the cookies.
3. **Bake:** Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
#### Step 7: Cooling and Glazing
1. **Cool Cookies:** Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. **Glaze (Optional):** Mix egg white with a small amount of water to create an egg wash. Brush lightly over the exposed cranberry filling.
#### Tips and Variations:
- For a more intense cranberry flavor, try using dried cranberries that have been soaked in a bit of rum or orange juice.
- You can add a sprinkle of coarse sugar before baking for extra texture and sweetness.
#### Conclusion
Enjoy these delightful cranberry cornmeal linzer cookies with family and friends. The combination of sweet cranberries and crunchy cornmeal makes them irresistible, perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special treat any time of the year!