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Spiced cutout cookies feel nostalgic and still look modern on a holiday tray. These gingerbread Linzer cookies bake crisp at the edges with tender centers, then sandwich a smooth white chocolate ganache that sets clean for tidy bites. Molasses brings depth while cinnamon and ginger keep the flavor festive and cozy. The dough rolls without cracking, holds sharp shapes and bakes evenly. Make them as hearts or stars and dust the tops lightly before serving. They taste like winter and are totally Insta-worthy.
These gingerbread Linzer cookies are irresistible with their crumbly texture and rich ganache filling. They’re perfect for any special occasion or to give as holiday gifts.
For a festive twist, try gingerbread pizzelle, gingerbread cheesecake, boozy salted peanut butter hot chocolate, and Lofthouse cookies.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: You’ll love how simple the recipe is to follow and, if you run out of them before you expect (which is likely given their amazing flavor!) you can quickly whip up a second batch.
Warm spicy flavor: Gingerbread is always a great choice for the cooler season, but if you love spiced cookies you’ll always be looking for an excuse to make these simple Linzer sandwich cookies.
A festive treat: Choose a festive cookie cutter to cut out a star, snowman or gingerbread man shape, and these are perfect for the holidays, whether you’re making them for the family or for a Christmas party, or baking up a batch to gift to friends or neighbors.
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the dough stay tender.
Brown sugar: Sweetens and gives a soft bite.
Molasses: Deepens flavor and adds color.
Vanilla extract: Rounds and softens the spice.
Egg: Binds the dough so it rolls and cuts clean.
All purpose flour: Provides structure for crisp edges.
Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves warm the dough.
Baking soda: Lifts slightly for a light crumb.
Salt: Balances sweetness and sharpens spice.
Heavy cream: Creates a silky ganache.
White chocolate melting wafers: Melt smooth for an easy filling.
How to Make Gingerbread Linzer Cookies
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Combine the dough ingredients: Mix together the softened butter and dark brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer and mixing bowl, then add the molasses, vanilla, and egg, and beat well, then add in the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
Chill and roll out the cookie dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator for an hour, then roll it out with a rolling pin.
Cut out the cookies: Make cutouts with a round cookie cutter and use a smaller cookie cutter to cut the middles out of half the molasses cookies.
Bake the Linzer cookies: Preheat the oven and arrange all the dough cutouts on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake then let the cookies cool completely while you work on the filling.
Prepare the ganache filling: Bring the heavy cream almost to a boil in a pan then mix in the chocolate wafers, stirring until smooth.
The finishing touches: Let the ganache cool completely and then use it to sandwich together the cookies, with the cutout cookie as the one on top, pressing down to squeeze some of the ganache through the cutout part. Once the ganache has set, serve the cookies.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten free option: Use a 1-to-1 gluten free baking blend with xanthan, chill well and roll between parchment.
Jam center: Swap ganache for seedless raspberry or orange marmalade. You could even use my blueberry jam or cherry jam.
Dark chocolate: Fill with a simple dark chocolate ganache for a richer cookie.
Cutter play: Make stars, trees or snowflakes and adjust the window shape to match.
How to Serve Linzer Cookies
With a drink: These would be beautiful served with a Grinch green hot chocolate or Santa hat cocktails if they’re for a Christmas party.
With other gingerbread treats: If you can’t get enough of that wonderful gingerbread flavor, you might like to team your Linzer cookies with gingerbread men to hang on the tree, this gingerbread cheesecake dip or some cute gingerbread Christmas trees.
How to Store Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
Store: These cookies will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months if you like.
Defrost: Thaw at room temperature.
Top Tips
Weigh flour: An accurate flour measurement keeps the dough from turning dry.
Chill smart: A short chill helps edges stay sharp.
Roll evenly: Use guides so every cookie is the same thickness.
Cool completely: Warm cookies will melt the filling and blur the edges.
Set the filling: Let assembled cookies rest so the ganache firms before boxing or storing.
Linzer Sandwich Cookie FAQs
Yes, of course, as these are festive cookies, you might like to cut out star shapes or gingerbread man shapes which would match up with the flavor of the soft gingerbread cookies. This set of gingerbread cookie cutters (here) means you can also make other recipes such as gingerbread men.
An hour seems to be the sweet spot. Any less and the cookies are too soft to roll out cleanly but any more and the dough will be too hard to roll, so set a timer for one hour. It’ll be worth it.
Linzer Ginger Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Gingerbread Linzer Cookies
Equipment
- Round Cookie Cutter and Small Cookie Cutter for Cutouts
Ingredients
- 1 Cup butter, softened
- ½ Cup brown sugar
- ¼ Cup molasses
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 3 Cups all purpose flour, 12 ¾ Ounces
- 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ Teaspoon baking soda
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ Teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ Cup heavy cream
- ½ Cup melting wafers, white chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Beat together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in molasses, vanilla and egg then beat until well combined.
- Slowly mix in flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cloves until just combined.
- Chill dough for at least 1 hour but not any longer. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness.
- Use a circle cutter to make about 30 cut outs. Line them on a baking sheet then use a smaller cookie cutter in the middle of half of the cookies.
- Bake for 10 minutes then remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan or in the microwave until hot but not boiling. Add the chocolate wafers and mix until smooth.
- Allow the ganache to cool completely, then place a spoonful in the center of each whole cookie. Place a cookie with the center cut out on top.
- Allow the ganache to set before serving.
Notes
Chill smart: A short chill helps edges stay sharp.
Roll evenly: Use guides so every cookie is the same thickness.
Cool completely: Warm cookies will melt the filling and blur the edges.
Set the filling: Let assembled cookies rest so the ganache firms before boxing or storing.
Nutrition
If you want a cookie that looks fancy but is quite easy to make, gingerbread Linzer cookies are a great choice. The dough rolls without drama, the spices taste balanced and the white chocolate ganache sets smooth so stacks stay neat. Use simple round cutters, choose any window shape you like and dust the tops lightly before serving. Pack them in tins for gifts or plate them after dinner. Once people try them, they’ll want the recipe, for sure!
Other Recipes to Try
- Raspberry Linzer Cookie Shots offer a delightful twist on the classic cookie.
- The timeless charm of Linzer Cookies is a beloved treat.
- Craving festive bites? Christmas Mug Cake brings single-serving holiday cheer.
- Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake Recipe is reminiscent of childhood memories.
- And these Black and White Cookies are also fun to make.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This one exceeded my expectations! So flavorful! 🙂