Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups (212 grams) hazelnuts, toasted
• 1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup (134 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting tops
• 1/4 cup raspberry preserves

Directions

1. In a food processor, pulse the hazelnuts and 1/2 cup flour until the nuts are finely ground. Add the remaining 1 cup flour, the cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to the nut mixture in the processor and pulse to combine. Set aside.
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light in color and texture, about 5 minutes. Mix in the vanilla and lemon zest. Add the egg, beating on medium speed until incorporated. Add the flour-hazelnut mixture and mix to combine. The dough will be soft. Divide the dough into 2 discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Remove half of the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a 1/8-inch-thick rectangle. Using a cookie cutter dipped in flour, cut out the cookies. Transfer to a prepared baking sheet. If the dough gets too soft, place the sheet tray with the rolled dough into the freezer for a few minutes to firm up and make cutting shapes easier. Repeat with the remaining dough. Stamp out a hole in the middle of half of the cookies using a smaller cookie cutter or the end of a round piping tip. These will become the tops of the cookies.
5. Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely before filling.
6. Meanwhile, make the ganache. In a saucepan, heat the cream to a simmer. Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Let it sit for 3 minutes and then gently whisk together. Pour into a bowl, cover with plastic, and let cool to room temperature.
7. Separate out the cookies with holes stamped out and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Spread a thin layer of ganache over the cookies without holes. Spread a small amount of raspberry preserves over the ganache and place the sugar-dusted cookies on top.

Adapted from "Zoë Bakes Cookies" by Zoë François © Ten Speed Press 2023. Provided courtesy of Zoë François. All rights reserved.