Indulge in the festive spirit with our Spiced Mulled Wine Linzer Cookies, a delightful treat that combines the warmth of holiday spices with the rich flavors of mulled wine! These exquisite cookies are not just a feast for the eyes but also a mouthwatering delight that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy evenings by the fire, or as a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies are sure to impress. Ready to elevate your baking game and create a memorable dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds? Dive into our recipe and discover the magic of these enchanting treats!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: European
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup spiced mulled wine
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes.
- Add egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves to create a spiced flour blend.
- Gradually add the spiced flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough disc to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter with a smaller cut-out in the center to create Linzer cookie shapes.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before baking to help maintain shape.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire racks.
- Reduce spiced mulled wine in a small saucepan over medium heat until it becomes a syrupy consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool.
- Dust the cookie tops (with center cut-out) with additional powdered sugar.
- Spread raspberry jam on the bottom cookie bases, and drizzle the reduced mulled wine reduction over the jam.
- Carefully sandwich the powdered sugar-dusted top cookies onto the jam-covered bases.
- Allow cookies to set for 30 minutes before serving, which helps the jam and wine reduction to stabilize.
Tips
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the refrigeration step! Chilling the dough for an hour not only makes it easier to roll out but also helps maintain the cookies' shape during baking.
- Use Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, use high-quality spiced mulled wine and fresh spices. The better the ingredients, the more delicious your cookies will be!
- Perfect Rolling: When rolling out the dough, keep your surface lightly floured to prevent sticking. If the dough becomes too soft, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes.
- Watch the Baking Time: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your cookies while they bake. Look for lightly golden edges to ensure they are perfectly baked without becoming too hard.
- Experiment with Fillings: While raspberry jam is a classic choice, feel free to get creative! Try using other fruit jams or even chocolate spread for a different twist.
- Presentation Matters: Dusting the tops of the cookies with powdered sugar adds a beautiful finishing touch and enhances the festive appeal.
- Let Them Set: Allowing the assembled cookies to sit for at least 30 minutes helps the jam and wine reduction to stabilize, making them easier to handle and more enjoyable to eat.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 95kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg
