Linzer Cookies, Raspberry Linzer Bars

Day 9 of our 12 Days of Cookies features Linzer Cookies, or as featured here, Raspberry Linzer Bars, which are a delicious delicacy deriving from the Linzertorte, which was first discovered in an Austrian abbey in 1653. An Austrian immigrant, a baker, introduced it to America in 1856. They have been a tradition and delicacy ever since. We are sharing a bar version of the famous cookies. Enjoy!


RASPBERRY LINZER BARS

• 1 1/3 cups butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. grated lemon peel
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole almonds, ground
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup raspberry preserves

Preheat oven to 350^. Grease a 9x13-inch pan and set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Beat in egg and lemon peel until blended. Mix in flour, almonds and cinnamon until well blended.

Press 2 cups dough onto bottom of prepared pan. Top evenly with preserves. Press remaining dough over preserves.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Makes 36 bars