TWD: Linzer Sables

Ey, yi, yi! How did Tuesday get here so fast?

I just barely got this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe made (I have a sneaking suspicion many of my posts this month will start out with that same, exact sentence.)

This week's recipe was Linzer Sables, chosen by noskos of Living the Life. Thanks noskos! I was so glad to see a cookie recipe on the menu this week, as I just happen to have a holiday cookie exchange tonight. We'll see how my cake club friends like these.


How were they, you're wondering? Well, there are two kinds of cookies in the world. Those that can be eaten straight out of the cookie jar and enjoyed on their own, and those that need an accompaniment, like a cup of hot tea or coffee. I would put these cookies in the "good with tea" category. They're nutty and spicy and not terribly sweet. I was surprised that they were lighter than I expected.

I tend to like "straight out of the cookie jar" type cookies, and a softer cookie, so I'm not sure I would make these again. But they're a nice holiday cookie, and I'm guessing folks who like nuts would enjoy them.

Baking Notes:
I used a 2" oval cutter and a small star cutter for my cookies. I got 18 cookies, but might have been able to get 20 if I had taken the time to roll out the remaining dough another time. The recipe called for 1-1/2 cups ground nuts. I used 1 cup of ground hazelnuts and 1/2 cup ground almonds. It was a nice combination. I used apricot preserves. Oh, and I had to brush the preserves that were showing through the star with a damp artists brush after I dusted with powdered sugar. The powdered sugar completely covered up the preserves.

Please visit noskos' site if you'd like to peek at the recipe, or check out Dorie Greenspan's book "Baking: From my Home to Yours".