Little smiles you can eat

One of the things that reminds me of my childhood in Switzerland is Linzertorte. The merging of jam, spices and crumbly nutty crust in this cake make me think of primary school in a foreign language, summers spent exploring the outdoors and my loving mum always having a surprise treat for us around 4*. Although very different to the Cake, I was inspired to try some Linzer-cookies.

*Z'vieri (meaning Four): time where the Swiss have a break and enjoy a little snack, ours was usually sweet.

I love eating pretty looking treats

 All my little cute faces lined up plus some love

With a powdered sugar sun-tan

To make these soft, pretty things:

50g Powdered sugar plus some for the end

150g Butter

1 pack Vanilla sugar/or dash of vanilla essence

1 Egg

150g flour

150g ground almonds

pinch of cinnamon

pinch of clove

pinch of cardamom

1/2 Jar of Jam of your choice

Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the vanilla & spices along with the egg, lightly beaten in. It will curdle but that's OK.  Now add the flour and almonds and mix quickly as not to over work the egg.  Once combined, wrap in foil/cling-film and pop in the fridge for at least an hour. Once cool enough, roll out on a floured surface until about 3-4mm thick and cut out two shapes for each cookie, one with a face/heart cut out in the middle.

Bake in the oven at 150°C/302°F for about 6-8 minutes until just the edges are beginning to brown slightly. Cool on a wire rack and once ready spread un-cut sides with jam and place the cut out opposite (which you sprinkle with icing sugar) on top. voilà 

My brother, who is very honest and not too big on compliments said these tasted shop-bought !