Shortbread “Linzer” Cookies

Perfect Valentine’s Day treat, but really would fit just about any theme!

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound unsalted butter (3 sticks)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
  • Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions

  1. Mix butter and sugar with blender until they are just combined, and add the vanilla.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and salt, then add to the butter-and-sugar mixture.
  3. Mix on low until the dough starts to come together.
  4. Place on surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk.
  5. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 350.
  7. Roll the dough 1/4-inch thick and cut with your cookie cutter.
  8. Use a smaller round or heart-shaped cutter to cut a hole from the middle of half of the cookies.
  9. Place all the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes. (I usually skip this step)
  10. Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes, until the edges begin to brown.
  11. Cool slightly, remove to wire rack.
  12. When they are at room temperature, spread the jam on the flat side of each solid cookie.
  13. Dust the top of the cut-out cookies with confectioners’ sugar and press the flat sides together, with the raspberry preserves in the middle and the confectioners’ sugar on the top.

From The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.