Cutie Linzer Cookies

I had such good dietary intentions that morphed into these sweet and tangy Cutie Linzer Cookies. So in an effort to eat less sugar,  I went to the grocery store to load up on fruit, including these cuties/clementines. They taste like candy and are so juicy and delicious, I swore off baked goods forever. Until I had the idea to turn them into a Linzer cookie.

What the Heck are Cuties, Anyway?

If you wonder what Cuties are, the answer is sweet and simple. Cuties are a popular brand of clementines, which are small, seedless citrus fruits packed with flavor. They belong to the mandarin orange family and are known for their easy-to-peel skin. As a result, they make a convenient snack for busy days.

Furthermore, Cuties are naturally sweet, juicy, and low in calories. They are also rich in vitamin C, making them a healthy addition to your diet. Unlike many larger oranges, clementines fit perfectly in lunchboxes and snack bags. In addition, their bright citrus flavor works well in salads, desserts, and savory recipes. Whether you enjoy them fresh or use them in cooking, Cuties add a burst of sunshine to every bite.

Recently, I scored this cute Linzer cookie Easter set. I used the cute set for the cutie recipe. You can use any shape cutters you have, but if you want to make the cutout, you need one that is several sizes smaller as well.For the middle layer, I made curd out of those little orange jewels, admittedly adding a drop or two of orange food color to brighten them up for their photo session. But you don’t have to. The flavor is bright enough.

Is it wrong that I like saying  Cutie Curd?

Perfect for an Easter treat, these cookies are SO melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I honestly can not believe how good they were. Often when I serve one of my creations, I’m all, “I should or could have done this.” “Or perhaps if I did that.” Consequently, it is unanimous among the two dinner parties, the local gelateria staff, and my work colleagues. These are perfection.

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Cutie Linzer Cookies

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Austrian, German

Keyword Citrus Linzer Recipe, Cutie Curd, Cutie Linzer Cookies, Cutie Recipes, Linzer Cookie Recipe, Tangerine Curd, Tangerine Linzer Cookies

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours

Servings 2 Dozen

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

For the Linzer Cookies:

• 1+1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1+1/2 -2 tablespoons cutie zest
• 1 cup almond flour*
• Powdered sugar for dusting

For the Cutie Curd**:

• 1 cup fresh-squeezed cutie juice about 6 cuties
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• a couple of drops of orange food coloring if you wish

Instructions

Make the Linzer cookies:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Line 2 (4 if you have them) baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. Cream the butter and sugar together.
5. Blend in the egg, then the zest and vanilla.
6. Add the dry ingredients, then the almond meal, until just blended.
7. Wrap the dough in plastic cling film. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
8. Roll the dough out on a floured surface.
9. Cut out solid cookies*** from half the dough.
10. Use the smaller cutter to make a cutout in the centers of the other half of the cookies.
11. Place the cutout cookies and the solid ones on different baking sheets. They will have different baking times. The cutout ones will bake faster.
12. As you fill up the baking sheets, place them in the freezer for a few minutes before transferring to the oven. This will prevent the cookies from spreading.
13. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just slightly golden.
14. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
15. Spread the solid cookie (the one without the cutout) with a thin layer of curd.
16. Dust or dip the cutout cookie with powdered sugar. Place it on top of the curd-covered cookie.
17. Plate and serve, but definitely hide a few for yourself.

Make the Cutie Curd:

1. Heat the juice until just simmering
2. In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, cream the sugar and yolks together until light yellow.
3. Remove the bowl from the mixer and whisk in the cornstarch and flour.
4. Slowly pour the juice into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly to temper.
5. Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan and reheat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens.
6. Whisk in a few drops of food coloring if you want.
7. Let cool. Transfer to an airtight container and place in the fridge.

Recipe Notes

*I buy almonds already ground into flour. You can also pulverize blanched almonds in a food processor. If you do, make sure you add a few tablespoons of powdered sugar to prevent the almonds from forming a paste.

**Slightly adapted from this Starfruit Curd recipe from Global Table Adventure.

***If you don't have a Linzer cutter, choose a shape from your collection and another cutter several sizes smaller. You can forgo the cutout altogether.

So, do you like these Cutie Linzer Cookies? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:

CARAMELIZED CITRUS CREAM TART

CRANBERRY LINZER TORT

PRESERVED LEMON LIME PASTA SALAD