Yuletide Linzer Bars

This recipe for Linzer Bars is based on the traditional Linzer Torte.

Linzer Torte is an Austrian torte with crumbly texture and a filling of red currant, raspberry or apricot jam, topped with intricate lattice design and named after it's hometown of Linze, Austria.

Often seen around Christmas time, the Linzer Torte is a classic and found in holiday traditions of Austria, Hungary, Switzerland and Germany.

You may be more familiar with Linzer cookies (also known as Linzer sablés or Linzer Augen which translates to "Linzer eyes") as cookie-size versions of the classic torte that are made by cutting a circle in the cookie dough, covering it with jam, and then placing a hole in the dough on top and dusting with confectioner's sugar.

Here's another holiday cookie bar recipe with a different twist on the Linzer Torte, easy to make Linzer Bars.

Yuletide Linzer Bars Recipe

1 1/3 cups butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole almonds, ground
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raspberry preserves
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat your oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended and creamy.
Beat in the egg and lemon peel until blended.
Mix in the flour, almonds and cinnamon until well blended.
Press 2 cups of mixed dough into bottom of prepared baking pan.
Spread preserves over dough.
Press remaining dough, a small amount at a time, evenly over preserves.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
Once your bars have cooled you can sprinkle them with confectioners (powdered) sugar.
Cut into desired size bars - small, medium or super-sized - it's your choice.