Name: Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter or dairy-free butter (room temperature); 2 large eggs (room temperature); ⅔ cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups gluten free all purpose flour with xanthan gum (we used GFJules); 1 cup finely chopped almonds; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; 1 cup raspberry jam or jam of choice; ½ cup powdered sugar for dusting

There's something truly magical about the tender, nutty shortbread sandwiched with bright, sweet raspberry jam in the Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe. These cookies aren’t just festive; they’re a delightful way to bring a touch of elegance and homemade goodness to your cookie jar that everyone will love.

A close-up image shows a woman's hand holding a round cookie dusted with white powdered sugar, with a small heart-shaped window filled with shiny red berry jam in the center. On a white plate with a white marbled background, there are several more cookies stacked, each featuring the same heart-shaped jam window and powdered sugar dusting. A small black container on the plate holds several fresh red raspberries, adding a pop of color to the arrangement. The cookie's surface looks soft and slightly rough, and the jam has a thick, glossy texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe countless times, and every batch fills my kitchen with that wonderful aroma of almonds and cinnamon. They’re easier to make than you might think, and the joy of sandwiching your favorite jam between buttery cookies is unbeatable.

Perfectly Gluten-Free: These cookies use a trusted gluten-free flour blend, so you get that classic Linzer texture without gluten worries.
User-Friendly Ingredients: No rare or complicated ingredients—just pantry staples, almonds, and your favorite jam.
Pretty & Versatile: Classic raspberry jam is my go-to, but you can swap in other flavors to match the season or your mood.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s holiday baking or an everyday treat, these cookies bring a festive flair and delicious taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in texture and flavor harmony. Using almond pieces adds a lovely crunch that complements the buttery cookie, and the gluten-free flour blend keeps everything tender yet sturdy enough to hold that jam filling.

Flat lay of a small mound of pale yellow butter, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with granulated white sugar, a small white bowl holding translucent golden vanilla extract, a neat heap of fine gluten-free all-purpose flour with a powdery texture, a small pile of finely chopped light brown almonds, a small white bowl containing fine white baking powder, a small white bowl with fine crystalline salt, a small white bowl with warm brown cinnamon powder, a small white bowl filled with vibrant red raspberry jam, a small white bowl with fine white powdered sugar for dusting, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic surface placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter or dairy-free butter: Makes the dough rich and tender; room temperature for easy creaming.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies get a slight golden hue.
Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure; room temperature works best for mixing.
Vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
Gluten-free all-purpose flour: Key for gluten-free texture; xanthan gum helps keep dough together like regular flour.
Finely chopped almonds: Add texture and the signature almond flavor Linzer cookies are known for.
Baking powder: Gives a slight lift for a delicate crumb.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
Cinnamon: Adds a subtle warm spice that pairs wonderfully with raspberry.
Raspberry jam: The star filling—bright, sweet, and tart.
Powdered sugar: For dusting, delivering that classic Linzer look and a touch of extra sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What makes this Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe so fun is how easily you can make it your own. I love swapping jams depending on the season—fig in autumn, apricot in summer—and sometimes sprinkle a bit of lemon zest into the dough for an extra zing.

Jam Variations: Blueberry or apricot jams add a fresh twist and are just as delightful sandwiched between these cookies.
Nut Modifications: Try hazelnuts instead of almonds for a different nutty flavor.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a quality dairy-free butter, which works just as well and is delicious.
Flavor Boosters: A touch of almond extract alongside vanilla enhances that nutty taste even more.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe

The image shows twenty round sandwich cookies arranged in five rows and four columns on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: the bottom layer is pale golden with a slight texture, and the top layer is dusted with white powdered sugar. The top layer has a heart-shaped cutout in the center, revealing a glossy dark red jam filling inside. Powdered sugar is slightly scattered around the cookies on the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating the butter and sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer. This step is key for soft, tender cookies. Make sure your butter is truly room temperature; it should be soft but not oily.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract. The eggs help give structure, so don’t skip this or substitute unless you have experience with gluten-free egg replacements.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Almonds Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and chopped almonds. Mixing these dry components ensures even distribution in your dough, especially those finely chopped almonds that add texture and flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures Gently

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until everything is combined—overmixing can make gluten-free dough tough. The dough will be slightly crumbly but should hold when pressed.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

This step is a lifesaver! Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it for at least an hour. Chilling firms up the butter again, making the dough easier to roll and cut without sticking.

Step 6: Roll Out and Cut the Cookies

On a lightly floured surface (use gluten-free flour), roll the dough about ¼ inch thick. Use your favorite Linzer cookie cutters—round cookie cutter for the base and a smaller one with a hole for the tops. Remember, the hole will showcase that beautiful raspberry jam!

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for around 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye during the last few minutes — overbaking dries these delicate cookies out.

Step 8: Cool and Assemble with Jam

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Then spread raspberry jam on the flat side of the base cookies and gently press the top cookie with the cutout window on top. Dust with powdered sugar for that classic festive touch.

Top Tip

From personal experience, these tips really make your Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe go from good to unforgettable. A couple of simple tweaks can help you nail the texture and look every time.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It sounds basic, but soft butter and eggs blend much more evenly, yielding a smoother dough.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling isn’t just about time—it prevents cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Light Dusting of Flour: Flour your surface lightly to avoid sticking, but don’t overdo it—too much flour can dry the dough.
Press Gently When Assembling: Press the jam sandwich cookies gently to avoid jam oozing out and keep the perfect shape.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe

raspberry jam linzer cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a generous dusting of powdered sugar for the classic Linzer look. For special occasions, a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the tops adds an elegant touch and pairs beautifully with raspberry.

Side Dishes

Serve these with a cup of hot herbal tea or rich coffee for a cozy afternoon break. I also love them alongside a fresh fruit salad for a colorful contrast and a bright balance to the sweet cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

I like arranging the cookies on a tiered dessert stand lined with parchment paper and decorated with fresh raspberries and mint leaves. Another favorite is wrapping stacks of three or four in wax paper tied with rustic twine for grabbing as a gift or party favor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and assembled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh up to 5 days, but they rarely last that long in my house! Keep a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cookie layers separately before assembly wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months. When ready, thaw, fill with jam, and dust with powdered sugar fresh.

Reheating

Reheating is rarely needed, but if you want to warm them slightly, let them come to room temperature. You can briefly warm jam separately if too firm before assembling. Avoid microwaving assembled cookies as jam may soften too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of almonds in this Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! Hazelnuts or pecans work wonderfully and add their own unique flavor. Just be sure to chop them finely so they mix well in the dough.

Is it necessary to use xanthan gum in the gluten-free flour blend?

Yes, xanthan gum acts as a binder in gluten-free baking, helping the dough stick together and providing structure, so your cookies don’t crumble too much. If your blend already includes it, no need to add extra.

Can I prepare these cookies ahead for a party?

Definitely! You can bake the cookie layers ahead of time and store them, then assemble with jam on the day of your event for the freshest taste and prettiest presentation.

What’s the best way to prevent the jam from leaking out during assembly?

Make sure the cookies are fully cooled before spreading jam. Apply a thin layer of jam to avoid overflow and press gently but firmly to seal the cookies together. Refrigerating the assembled cookies briefly can also help jam set in place.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, not just because they taste amazing but because they remind me that comfort and elegance can go hand in hand—even without gluten. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a loved one, or just to treat yourself, these cookies will lift spirits and fill your home with warmth. Give them a try—you might end up making them your own classic, too.