Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a cookie that perfectly balances buttery, nutty, sweet, and salty all in one, then you’ve got to try this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come out tender and elegantly sandwiched with a luscious salted caramel that’s just the right amount of gooey. When I first made these, my family went crazy for them—and I know you’ll find the same magic. Stick with me and I’ll walk you through every step, including some handy tips that I discovered after a few trials (because no one wants cookies that spread too much or caramel that’s too runny!).

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe uses ingredients that work beautifully in harmony—creamy butter and sugar create the perfect base for tender cookies, while the homemade salted caramel adds a luscious touch you just can’t beat. Here are the must-haves and what to look out for when shopping.

• Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature so it blends easily, giving you that light cookie texture.
• White Granulated Sugar: This sweetens both the cookies and caramel perfectly without overpowering.
• Kosher Salt: A little salt amps up the sweetness and balances flavors elegantly.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla adds warmth and depth—you’ll notice the difference!
• Large Eggs: Room temperature eggs help with even mixing and dough texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone for structure—make sure to measure properly.
• Water: For dissolving the sugar in your caramel—clear water works best.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the caramel, making it unctuous and silky.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Perfect for sprinkling on top to give that signature salted caramel crunch and flavor.

Variations

I love that this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe is super versatile and a great canvas for your creativity. Over time, I’ve found a few ways to tweak it to match different occasions or dietary needs, and I encourage you to play around too.

• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend once and the cookies still held their shape beautifully—just keep an eye on rolling them as gluten-free dough can be a bit more delicate.
• Chocolate Linzer Cookies: Adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dough ups the chocolate factor, which pairs so well with salted caramel. My kids treated these like little chocolate treasures!
• Nutty Twist: Try mixing in finely chopped toasted hazelnuts or almonds into the dough for a crunchy surprise inside.
• Spiced Variation: A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom in the dough can bring a lovely warm flavor that makes these feel perfect for chilly days.

How to Make Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream and Combine Your Cookie Dough

Start by beating your softened butter, sugar, and salt on medium speed until the mixture turns pale and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 minutes. Trust me, this step develops the cookie’s tenderness. Next, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla blend until just combined. When you add the flour in two batches, do it gently and make sure it’s fully incorporated before the next addition to keep your dough from getting tough. Remember, the dough will be soft, so don’t panic! Chill it in two discs wrapped in plastic wrap for at least one hour; longer if you can—this rest time lets the flavors meld and the dough firm up for easy rolling.

Step 2: Roll Out and Cut Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). When your dough is chilled, let it sit out about 10 minutes if it’s too stiff—it should be cool but pliable. I love rolling my dough between two parchment sheets to avoid extra flour that can toughen the cookies. Roll out to about 1/8-inch thickness—that’s thin but not so thin that the cookies break easily. For that iconic Linzer look, use your cookie cutter to cut out your shapes, then use a smaller cutter (or a piping tip) to make the center cutouts on half the cookies. Pro tip: place the whole parchment sheet with dough in the freezer for 5 minutes before cutting to reduce spreading during baking. Space cookies about an inch apart on your baking sheet and bake one tray at a time for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden. Cool completely on the rack before decorating.

Step 3: Whip Up the Salted Caramel

This part is where kitchen patience really pays! In a saucepan over medium-low heat, let the sugar dissolve completely in the water first. Then crank the heat to high and watch carefully—the sugar syrup will change from clear to a light golden then a deeper amber. Make sure to keep an eye on it; it can burn fast. When it hits a rich golden brown, lower the heat, whisk in the butter (it’ll foam, don’t worry!), and then the heavy cream. The caramel might seize or bubble wildly, but keep stirring over low heat until smooth and silky—you’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon. Stir in vanilla and remove from heat. The caramel thickens as it cools, so let it rest but keep it pourable. If it thickens too much, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave will soften it right back up.

Step 4: Assemble and Decorate

This is the fun part where the cookies come alive! Flip the cookie bottoms over and dollop about a teaspoon of salted caramel on each, sprinkle a teeny pinch of flaky sea salt over the caramel for that punch of flavor, then carefully sandwich with the powdered sugar-dusted cookie tops. The contrast of the snowy sugar on top and the gleaming caramel beneath is irresistible. I usually save some extra caramel for drizzling on the side when serving—it’s fancy but so worth it!

How to Serve Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For garnish, I keep it simple yet elegant with a good dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel. Sometimes, when serving at holiday parties, I add a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the top cookie for a stunning look and even more flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of tea, rich coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. For a special treat, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or creamy hot chocolate for an indulgent dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I love arranging these salted caramel linzer cookies on a tiered dessert stand dusted with powdered sugar for festive occasions. Wrapping a small stack in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon makes the perfect homemade gift. You can also sandwich them on pretty plates with edible flowers or fresh berries to amp up the izzle for brunch or tea parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep these cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature—it keeps the cookies crisp but lets the caramel settle nicely. They last about 3 days this way, which is usually just enough before they disappear!

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cookies (unassembled) by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferring them to a freezer bag once solid. It’s super handy for holiday baking in advance. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature and add the caramel and assembly fresh for that perfect texture.

Reheating

If you want that freshly baked cookie feel, pop the assembled cookie into a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes just to warm slightly without melting the caramel completely. This revives the buttery notes and softens the caramel beautifully.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give this Salted Caramel Linzer Cookies Recipe a try soon—it’s truly one of those treats that never fails to impress and bring smiles around the kitchen table. I love making them for holidays and special gatherings because they feel fancy but are surprisingly straightforward. Once you get comfortable with the process, you might find yourself craving them on random Tuesdays like I do. So grab your apron and dive in, because sharing these cookies will definitely earn you some serious homemade dessert street cred!

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