Elizabeth Ho Shares Her Favourite Linzer Cookie Recipe

There’s a lot to like in regards to the artwork of baking, and certainly one of my favourite issues is discovering recipes that absolutely replicate the individual behind them. Anybody can bake a great cookie recipe, nevertheless it’s pure magic when a recipe can transport you straight into somebody’s kitchen. You’re proper there beside them strolling you thru every step—sharing secret ideas and swapping tales alongside the way in which. And that’s precisely how I felt when Elizabeth Ho from Birdhouse Bakeshop shared this vacation linzer cookie recipe.

Actually, I instantly headed straight into the kitchen to make a batch for myself. Elizabeth’s method to sweets and desserts is as stunning as it’s approachable, and the celebration of seasonal elements of their best kind is an artwork that Elizabeth excels at.

Elizabeth Ho’s Favourite Linzer Cookie Recipe

We’re massive vacation cookie field followers over right here, and I’m stoked so as to add Elizabeth’s linzer cookie recipe to my gifting trade this 12 months. Linzer cookies, particularly for the vacation season, really feel additional particular. I shared this chocolate orange model final 12 months. And whereas the thought of sandwich cookies might be intimidating, when you get within the groove, you’ll impress everybody with the fanciful deal with that appears such as you’ve spent days baking.

Forward, Elizabeth shares her recipe with us and her method to baking with the great thing about the seasons. Plus, prepare for her scrumptious taste variations for these linzers, so there’s one thing for everybody in your checklist.

How would you describe your baking and meals philosophy?

I feel baking ought to be loving and emotional, but in addition sensible. I at all times create in a approach that feels nurturing, intimate and calming to me. Typically which means specializing in easy (and nostalgic) elements, thoughtfully paired and ready. I would like my recipes to tie into one thing private—whether or not that’s reminiscence, household custom, or place. However I additionally suppose it’s vital to benefit from what surrounds you. I really like the methods meals and pastry can deliver us nearer to the cycles of nature and of a season.

How did you develop this recipe?

I’m virtually at all times very impressed by transitions—in life, in temper, amid seasons. I needed a recipe that tailored simply to all these adjustments. These cookies make it very simple to embrace my present cravings, environment, and what catches my eye on the farmer’s market or grocer.

I assumed in regards to the filling first, and that’s actually what makes this cookie. It’s a soothing shade of pastel—balanced, tangy, and lets you use the winter citrus obtainable to you. I wish to method recipes by trying on the elements in entrance of me and contemplating how they’ll intertwine, not solely in style however in colour and in palate. The buttery biscuit is a basic shortbread. It takes on flavoring effectively and pairs properly with any jam, curd, cream… no matter lights you up within the second. 

What makes this recipe your go-to for vacation baking?

These are versatile and nut-free (many conventional linzer cookies comprise almond). The dough might be made upfront and comes collectively in a pinch. Maybe most significantly, they give the impression of being gorgeous in a vacation cookie field!

What are your must-have kitchen instruments for this recipe?

This recipe doesn’t name for any fancy gear, however a mixer (handheld or stand) will turn out to be useful. Have you ever been ready all 12 months to make use of these darling cookie cutters? That is your second! If all you will have is a glass cup, use the highest as a cookie cutter. For those who don’t have a sufficiently small cutter for the middle of the cookie, the back-end of a piping tip works simply as effectively. 

What standout elements make this recipe particular? 

Winter is usually a melancholy time of 12 months—typically excruciatingly so should you stay in a colder local weather, like I do. Taking part in with shiny and boldly-colored fruit helps! These cookies’ filling pulls from the pure abundance of winter’s produce. Citrus is well discovered, and any leftover filling might be eaten on toast, pancakes, cake, ice cream, or by the spoonful. The cardamom within the cookies provides a pleasant heat, however a teaspoon of coconut extract could be dreamy as effectively. 

I’m all about surprising taste pairings—or slightly, weaving collectively easy elements, in a singular approach.

What ingredient swaps might be made on this recipe?

For the citrus curd, use no matter is obtainable to you. Grapefruit, blood oranges, and Satsuma mandarins are my favourite. Some taste variations embody:

Lavender & Strawberry. Exchange the cardamom and orange zest with two teaspoons dried culinary lavender rubbed into the sugar earlier than beating. Use your selection of strawberry jam, in lieu of the citrus curd.

Orange Blossom & Pistachio. Exchange the cardamom with ½ teaspoon orange blossom water/essence, and a spoonful of your favourite pistachio cream, or butter (store-bought or do-it-yourself). Hazelnut works nice with the orange blossom, too. 

These are such a fantastic vessel in your favourite spices, zests, extracts, fillings. So mess around with it! Apricot and anise, blueberry and black tea, coconut and dulce de leche. Observe your baking coronary heart and instinct. These cookies don’t discriminate. 

What favourite baking hacks have you ever realized over time?

Fortunately this recipe is so easy, it doesn’t require any hacks. I do wish to make the dough a couple of days upfront, to avoid wasting time the day of. An excellent relaxation within the fridge permits the flavour to develop too. Right here’s a tip: virtually any cookie dough will style higher after a 1-3 day relaxation within the fridge! 

After rolling and slicing out the dough, you’ll be able to retailer the cut-outs within the freezer (sealed in a ziplock or hermetic container, for as much as a month), to be baked once you want them. A little bit of time within the freezer earlier than baking helps the cookies preserve their form as effectively. 

What recommendation would you share with newbie bakers?

Baking isn’t about having all of the skilled gear, a superbly stocked pantry, or entry to specialty elements. It’s about discovering marvel and inspiration in simplicity, in your environment, in reminiscences, and utilizing that to create one thing nourishing.

Curiosity might be your largest energy, and perfection is extra an thought than a lifestyle.

For me, baking permits me to be formidable and open to potentialities, but humble sufficient to know when to let go—of an thought, of management. Possibly you didn’t discover quince on the market; select seasonal pears or apples as a substitute. Don’t really feel compelled to drive 20 minutes for orange blossom extract? Use a couple of teaspoons of orange zest, or use a floral that’s thrilling and nostalgic to you. Something is usually a start line for a recipe.

For those who present up, do your greatest, and don’t let imperfection or worry of failure be a deterrent, you’ll enhance each time. 

What’s the greatest a part of creating recipes to share for folks to deliver into their very own properties?

Each recipe is an extension of me—what strikes me, what evokes reminiscences of childhood, of my household’s heritage. It’s a passionate outlet, a private labor of affection, and it makes me pleased figuring out others can take pleasure in or discover inspiration in it as effectively.

I hope folks really feel a way of heat, ease, and connection whereas baking certainly one of my recipes. And I hope they really feel impressed to punctuate the recipes in their very own distinctive methods. Baking has taught me that whereas we will predict sure parts of the method, the end result doesn’t should be good to be loved. Embrace that! There’s a consolation and a romance to it. 

And I hope in sharing these cookies, persons are reminded to cling tightly to what’s vital—to domesticate love, neighborhood, and presence. 

What cookies are in your dream cookie field?

Anything you’d wish to share?

A couple of issues which have my love and a focus proper now:

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