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); ⅔ cup sugar; 2 large eggs (room temperature); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups gluten free all purpose flour with xanthan gum; 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 buttery, almond-infused cookies sandwiched around a vibrant swirl of raspberry jam — and that's exactly why this Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe is such a keeper. The perfect blend of tender crumb and tart sweetness makes these little treats unforgettable.

A close-up of a round cookie with scalloped edges held by a woman's hand, sprinkled with white powdered sugar, featuring a heart-shaped cutout in the center filled with glossy red jam, placed above a white plate with several similar cookies arranged in a circle, each with the same heart-shaped jam center and powdered sugar dusting, alongside a small white bowl filled with fresh red raspberries on a white marbled surface, 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 these Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe countless times, especially during festive seasons, and every batch feels like a little celebration. The combination of almond-shortbread and raspberry jam is just unbeatable, and the fact that it's gluten-free means more folks can join in the cookie love.

Perfect Texture: These cookies are buttery and tender with just the right amount of crumbly bite — no gritty gluten-free flours here!
Impressive Yet Easy: They look fancy with that cut-out top, but the recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly.
Customizable Flavors: While raspberry jam is classic, you can swap in your favorite jam to suit the season or your mood.
Great for Gifting: They store well and look beautiful in a tin — perfect for holiday gifts or special occasions.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe plays a special role in crafting a perfectly delicate yet flavorful cookie. Here’s why I stick with them and what to look out for when shopping.

Flat lay of a stick of pale yellow butter at room temperature, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of granulated white sugar, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a mound of white gluten-free all-purpose flour sprinkled with xanthan gum, a small pile of finely chopped natural almonds, a small white bowl each containing baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon, a small white bowl filled with vibrant red raspberry jam, and a small white bowl of fine powdered sugar for dusting, all arranged with perfect symmetry in realistic proportions 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: Room temperature butter gives the dough that lovely melt-in-your-mouth softness and richness; plant-based options work beautifully for dairy-free diets.
Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning; I prefer granulated for that classic cookie texture.
Eggs: Bind the dough together and add moisture; using room temperature eggs ensures even mixing.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor depth and pairs beautifully with almonds and raspberries.
Gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum: Xanthan gum is key here—it mimics gluten’s structure, giving these cookies a perfect tender hold without crumbling apart. I always go for trusted brands like GFJules to avoid any weird aftertaste.
Chopped almonds: They add both texture and a rich nutty flavor that makes this recipe stand out.
Baking powder: Just a touch to help the cookies rise slightly and stay light.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
Cinnamon: A subtle hint to add warmth and complexity.
Raspberry jam: Tart and vibrant, this is the star filling; I use seedless jams for a smooth finish.
Powdered sugar: For that snowy dusting that makes the cookies look irresistible.

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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

One of the things I love most about this Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak without losing its charm. I’ve tried a few variations that you might want to experiment with, especially as your jam and almond love grows.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the raspberry jam for apricot or even blackberry jam depending on what's fresh or in season. It’s a simple switch but completely changes the flavor profile in a delightful way.
Nut-free Version: If you’re allergic or just avoiding nuts, try finely ground gluten-free oats instead of almonds for texture.
Dairy-free Option: The dairy-free butter is just as good here, so no need to miss out on anything!
Spiced Up: Add a pinch of cardamom for a fragrant twist — perfect for cozy winter baking.

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

There are 20 small round cookies arranged in 5 rows and 4 columns on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: the bottom layer is a pale golden dough, topped by a second layer with a heart-shaped cutout in the center, dusted with white powdered sugar. Through the heart cutout, a dark red jam is visible, adding color contrast. Some powdered sugar is scattered around the cookies on the surface. The cookies look soft and slightly thick, with a delicate texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating your room temperature butter and sugar together until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Don’t rush this step — it’s the secret to a light texture, and if you skip it, your cookies might turn out dense.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla for Flavor and Structure

Next, beat in your eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract. Using room temperature eggs helps everything blend smoothly, preventing the dough from curdling or separating.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together your gluten-free flour, chopped almonds, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This not only ensures even distribution but also helps avoid clumps and creates an even dough texture. Trust me, it makes a huge difference!

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Ingredients

Slowly add your dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing gently but thoroughly just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here, or the cookies might turn out tough. The dough should be soft but not sticky, easy to roll out after chilling.

Step 5: Chill the Dough — Patience is Your Friend

Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least one hour. I sometimes chill it overnight. This step firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut clean shapes. Also, the chill helps control spreading during baking so your cookies keep their pretty shape.

Step 6: Roll Out and Cut Your Cookies

Lightly flour your surface with gluten-free flour and roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your favorite Linzer cookie cutters — one solid shape for the bottoms and one with a cut-out for the tops. I find that chilling the dough again briefly if it gets too soft makes cutting easier.

Step 7: Bake Until Lightly Golden

Bake the cookies in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes. Keep a close eye — they should be lightly golden around the edges but not too dark. Overbaking dries them out and takes away the tender crumb I love.

Step 8: Sandwich with Raspberry Jam and Dust with Powdered Sugar

Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a teaspoon or so of raspberry jam on the solid cookie halves, then gently press the cut-out cookies on top. Finally, dust generously with powdered sugar for that signature Linzer look. The contrast is so pretty and festive!

Top Tip

After many batches, I learned a few little tricks that really up your Linzer cookie game and make sure your Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe turns out spot-on every time.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter and eggs at room temp combine more smoothly, giving a better dough texture.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough helps with rolling, cutting, and prevents spreading during baking.
Roll Evenly: Try to keep the dough thickness consistent so all cookies bake evenly and hold their shape.
Choose a Quality Gluten-Free Flour: A blend with xanthan gum like GFJules really makes the texture work and tastes less “gluten-free” than other blends.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe

gluten-free raspberry jam cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

While the powdered sugar dusting is classic and beautiful, I also love adding a few fresh raspberries or small mint leaves on the side when serving for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes a tiny drizzle of melted dark chocolate takes these cookies from sweet to decadently special.

Side Dishes

These are perfect alongside a cup of rich black tea or a creamy latte. For festive gatherings, I often arrange them with a cheese board featuring mild cheeses like Brie and some nuts — the flavors play so nicely together!

Creative Ways to Present

I've gifted these cookies by stacking them in clear boxes tied with ribbons, or laid them out on pretty trays dusted with powdered sugar snow for holiday parties. Layering them between parchment paper keeps them from sticking and looks so inviting when presented to guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Linzer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Layer them carefully with parchment paper to prevent sticking or breaking. They often taste even better after a day or two when the jam and almond flavors marry even more!

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully. I usually freeze the baked cookies (without jam) on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or container. When ready to enjoy, I thaw and sandwich them with fresh jam. This keeps the jam from seeping and the cookies stay crisp.

Reheating

I like to warm a cookie for about 10 seconds in the microwave before serving when thawed — it brings back the fresh-baked feel and softens the jam just right. Just don’t overdo it, or the sugar dusting melts away.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different nuts if I don’t have almonds?

Absolutely! You can swap almonds for finely chopped or ground walnuts or pecans, although almonds give the classic linzer flavor. Just keep the texture in mind — some nuts have stronger flavors that’ll slightly change the cookie’s profile.

Is there a substitute for xanthan gum in the gluten-free flour?

If you don't have xanthan gum, you can try guar gum or psyllium husk powder as alternatives. Some gluten-free flour blends already have them included, so check your packaging to avoid adding too much.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

Yes! Use dairy-free butter and substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg, let sit to thicken). The texture might be a tad different, but they’ll still come out tasty and festive.

How do I prevent the cookies from sticking when rolling out the dough?

Lightly dust your rolling surface and rolling pin with gluten-free flour, but avoid over-flouring the dough. Also, chilling the dough well helps it become less sticky and easier to handle. Rolling between two sheets of parchment paper works beautifully too!

Final Thoughts

These Gluten-Free Raspberry Jam Linzer Cookies Recipe hold a special place in my baking rotation—not just for their irresistible flavor, but for the smiles they bring to my family and friends. If you’re looking for a cookie that’s both elegant and approachable, this is your recipe. Give it a try, enjoy the process, and savor every sweet, nutty, jammy bite!