Sunday, November 30, 2008

Linzer Cookies -Tuesdays with Dorie


These attractive cookies were chosen for us this week by Noskos of Living the Life. I take a quick look at the trusty Wikipedia - the cookies are of Austrian/Hungarian origin. They are mini-versions of the Linzer Torte, a tart with a lattice design on top of the pastry. The oldest recipe for the Torte was discovered in the town of Linz and dates back to the 1600's. Right, good, I've learned something today.

Making the Cookies

The dough was quite easy to get together and my rolling out skills are improving slightly. I'm also one of the bakers who thinks the dough should be rolled thinner to say, 1/8 inch, as 1/4 inch is too heavy. Well, it's done now so it's too late this time. I experimented with Dorie's cooking time, first with 15 minutes, then 13 minutes, then 11 minutes. The 15 min. batch was overdone of course, the 13 min. okay but still a bit brownie and the 11 mins. was just fine. (Sounds like The Three Bears and their porridge.)

However, I don't care for the dough very much. I have tasted Linzer cookies before and they are usually quite sweet and buttery and the dough is soft. It's probably me but this dough is hard and quite tough and it does not have anywhere near enough sugar. Also too much cinnamon for my taste. Surely the powdered sugar will make it sweeter, but I still won't use this cookie dough again.

I like the jam filling - I chose Rose Jam, imported from Turkey. I got it at the Turkish deli about 1/2 mile from me. It has a unique, scented, delicate flavor and is quite runny, so I did not add any water to it. It's also a pretty Turkish Delight pink color. Goodness, I hope the guys at work like it, but I know the gals will.

I got 26 doubled-up cookies out of the recipe, even with the dough being a bit thick. Does anyone use those rubber measuring bands on the rolling pin? - I hear they are supposed to give a perfectly even height to the pastry.

Nice creative cookie idea with the jam and the little cut-outs. Noskos has the recipe on website - Living the Life.

12 comments:

Engineer Baker said...

I'm sorry they underwhelmed a bit, but they look wonderful! I'd love to have those bands for my rolling pin, but I just eyeball it :) The rose jam sounds delicious.

Rosie said...

Oh sorry to her you wasn't keen on the dough but hey those cookies look gorgeous in your pics ..

Rosie x

kimberly salem said...

rose jam? never heard of it, but it sounds unique and yummy! they look great. i don't have those bands, but they sound useful.

pinkstripes said...

I agree, I think these cookies were more pretty than tasty. Yours do look gorgeous.

Kayte said...

Rose jam sounds really interesting. I learn a lot on these blogs. Sorry you didn't like the dough, we really liked it a lot...different tastes for different people...yours look really beautiful!

Judy said...

Your cookies look delicious. I found it was better just to keep an eye on them when baking rather than trust the timer. Timing tests help, too.

Danielle said...

Rose jam that is different, you cookies came out great.

Rebecca of "Ezra Pound Cake" said...

I'd never tasted linzers like these, either. The ones we made were always soft and buttery, not really nutty at all. So weird.

Lynne Daley said...

Pretty cookies and the rose jam sounds so cool. I didn't get to bake these.

TeaLady said...

Too bad you didn't like the cookies. They sure look tasty tho.

Unknown said...

Your cookies look great! Sorry you weren't a big fan. I wasn't thrilled with these either.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Pretty! Those cookies look delightful!

cheers,

Rosa