Linzer Cookies

¾ lb. unsalted butter at room temp

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

3 ½ cups flour

¼ tsp. salt

¾ cup good raspberry preserves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream butter and sugar until just combined. Add vanilla.

In medium bowl, sift together the flour and the salt and then add to butter mixture. Mix on low speed until dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 30 minutes. (Longer than that and you’ll have to let it rest and warm up a bit.)

Roll dough ¼ inch thick and cut 2 ¾ inch rounds with a plain or fluted cutter. With half the rounds cut a circle out of the middle with a one inch cutter. Place all cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. I say, lots less. Watch them. Mine were browning much sooner. Cool completely. Spread jam on flat side of each solid cookie. Dust top with powdered sugar and press sides together.

This recipe also works for plain shortbread cookies or add 1 ½ cups small diced pecans for Pecan Shortbread.