Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a cookie that hits all the right notes—sweet, buttery, with a hint of salty magic—you’re in the right place. This Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe is one of those treats that feel fancy but are surprisingly straightforward to make at home. I absolutely love how these cookies balance tender, crumbly dough with rich, gooey salted caramel. Trust me, once you try making them yourself, you’ll find yourself dreaming up excuses to bake them again and again.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe comes from simple, quality ingredients that work beautifully together: a tender buttery dough, a rich salted caramel filling, and a touch of sea salt to brighten it all up. When shopping, fresh butter and good quality vanilla really bring the flavors to life.

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creams beautifully into the dough for that tender, flaky texture.
• White granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies brown evenly.
• Kosher salt: Just a pinch balances the flavors in the dough perfectly.
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla strengthens the warm, comforting base flavor.
• Egg and egg yolk: Give structure and richness to the dough.
• All-purpose flour: I stick to all-purpose for that classic cookie crumb.
• White sugar (for caramel): The key to a deep, golden caramel flavor.
• Water (for caramel): Helps dissolve sugar evenly as caramel cooks.
• Butter (for caramel): Adds smoothness and richness to the caramel sauce.
• Heavy cream: Essential for a velvety, luscious caramel.
• Flakey sea salt: The finishing touch that lifts every bite.

Variations

While I love this classic Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe as is, I’ve discovered a few fun ways to switch things up depending on your mood or dietary needs. Feel free to make it yours!

• Gluten-Free: I once swapped the flour with a gluten-free blend, and while the texture was a little different, the flavor stayed just as amazing.
• Alternative Cuts: I like keeping shapes simple — circles, stars — but you can get playful with festive shapes for holidays or celebrations.
• Chocolate Twist: Adding a hint of cocoa powder to the dough creates a lovely chocolatey base that pairs wonderfully with the caramel.
• Salt Variations: Experimenting with different salts — like smoked sea salt — can elevate the flavor profile even further.

How to Make Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating the room-temperature butter with sugar and salt until the mixture is light and fluffy — about 3 minutes in a stand mixer. This little step is crucial because it incorporates air, helping your cookies get that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. I always remind myself not to rush this part; patience really pays off.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, mix in the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until everything is just combined. The yolk adds extra richness and tenderness—in my experience, it makes the dough easier to work with, too.

Step 3: Incorporate the Flour

Add the flour bit by bit, mixing between each addition until fully mixed. The dough might feel soft and a bit sticky—totally normal! Divide it into two discs, wrap them in plastic, and let them chill in the fridge for at least an hour (I love leaving it overnight when I can). Chilling firms up the dough, making it way easier to roll out and cut.

Step 4: Roll and Cut the Cookies

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Roll out one dough disc between parchment paper to about 1/8-inch thickness. Here’s a trick I discovered: chilling the rolled dough on the baking sheet in the freezer for 5 minutes makes cutting cleaner and keeps the shapes sharp. Use your cookie cutters to stamp out solid bottom cookies and matching tops with centers removed for that classic Linzer look.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Bake each batch for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just turning golden. Don’t overbake, or you’ll lose that tender crumb. Let cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack—this helps prevent breakage.

Step 6: Make the Salted Caramel

In a medium saucepan, dissolve sugar in water over medium-low heat. Turn up the heat and let the sugar caramelize carefully until it turns a gorgeous golden brown (watch closely so it doesn’t burn!). Remove from heat, then whisk in butter and cream—you’ll see the mixture foam, which is totally normal. Stir until silky smooth, add vanilla, and let it cool until it’s syrupy but still pourable. I like reheating it gently in the microwave if it thickens too much before decorating.

Step 7: Assemble and Decorate

Dust the cookie tops with powdered sugar for that beautiful look. Flip the bottoms over and spread a small spoonful of caramel over each, then sprinkle with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt. Sandwich the tops and bottoms together gently. These cookies are as pretty as they are delicious—your friends won’t believe you made them!

How to Serve Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love a generous dusting of powdered sugar on the cookie tops—it adds an elegant snowy effect and complements the caramel’s sweetness perfectly. A tiny pinch of flakey sea salt on each caramel-covered cookie bottom really makes the flavors pop, so don’t skip that step!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee or a rich, creamy hot chocolate. For brunch or a cozy afternoon treat, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or whipped cream to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I arrange the Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe on a tiered dessert tray with fresh rosemary sprigs or edible flowers tucked around for a rustic-chic vibe. Wrapping a few pairs in cellophane tied with pink ribbon also makes sweet, homemade gifts your loved ones will cherish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, layering them gently with parchment paper to prevent sticking or breakage. They stay soft and caramel-ooey without any extra fuss.

Freezing

If I want to keep them longer, I freeze the baked cookies (unassembled) in a ziplock bag with parchment paper between layers. When ready to enjoy, I just thaw at room temperature and add the caramel fresh—this way, the gooey filling stays perfectly luscious.

Reheating

To warm up a cookie, I pop them in the microwave wrapped in a paper towel for about 10-15 seconds—just enough to soften the caramel without melting the cookie. It feels almost like fresh-baked magic every time.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines heartfelt tradition with a little twist of modern sweetness. Every time I bake these, I’m reminded that simple ingredients, a little patience, and love can create magic in the kitchen. You’re going to enjoy the process and adore the delicious results—so why not grab your apron and get started? I promise, you won’t regret it.

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