Description
Gingerbread linzer cookies combine holiday warmth with chocolate fudge centers, creating a delightful seasonal treat. Festive spices and rich chocolate make these cookies irresistible for winter gatherings and sweet celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup (170g) chopped dark chocolate or semi-sweet
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Wet Ingredients and Fudge Components:
- 1/3 cup (73g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup honey or light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup (66g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (20g) cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine flour, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
- Using an electric mixer, cream softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and well-blended.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a cohesive dough. Shape into a compact disk, wrap securely in plastic film, and refrigerate for 3-4 hours to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut cookie shapes, creating decorative cutouts in half the cookies for tops. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets and briefly freeze to maintain shape.
- Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, rotating sheet midway through, until edges turn slightly golden. Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks.
- For fudge filling, combine heavy cream, butter, honey, brown sugar, and cocoa powder in a saucepan. Simmer gently, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, whisk in chocolate and vanilla until glossy and smooth.
- Dust cookie tops with powdered sugar. Spread generous chocolate fudge on bottom cookies, carefully sandwich with decorated tops, creating elegant linzer-style cookies.
Notes
- Make Ahead Dough can be prepared and chilled up to 3 days in advance, saving time during holiday baking rush.
- Spice Intensity Adjust ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg quantities to match personal flavor preferences or family traditions.
- Gluten-Free Option Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising rich texture.
- Decoration Variation Use festive cookie cutters or create custom window designs to make each cookie uniquely charming and personal.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg