Okay, picture this: it’s Christmas Eve (or any day in December, really!), you’ve got some classic Christmas tunes going, and the smell of cookies is wafting through the house. Baking is my happy place, ESPECIALLY during the holidays, and these Reindeer Linzer Cookies? Total game-changer! They’re not just delicious; they’re seriously the cutest things you’ll ever bake! Trust me; you’ll be winning “Best Holiday Baker” awards left and right. I remember one year, my little cousin wouldn’t stop giggling when he saw these, and that’s what Christmas is all about, right? Sharing the joy! Plus, they add such a festive touch that you almost don’t want to eat them…almost! But let me tell you, the combo of almond-y cookie and sweet, tangy jam? Irresistible!

Why You’ll Adore These Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Seriously, where do I even begin? Here’s why you’re about to fall head-over-antlers for these little guys:

They’re ridiculously cute! I mean, reindeer-shaped cookies? Come on!
The almond flavor is SO cozy and perfect for winter.
That raspberry jam filling? A total burst of deliciousness!
They’re surprisingly easy to make. Even if you’re not a pro baker, you can totally nail these!

Basically, they’re happiness in cookie form. What’s not to love?

Ingredients for Perfect Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Alright, let’s gather our troops! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these adorable Reindeer Linzer Cookies:

1 cup all-purpose flour – you know, the usual!
1/2 cup almond flour – this is KEY for that lovely nutty flavor. Don’t skip it!
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – gotta be softened, or you’ll have a lumpy mess!
1/4 cup granulated sugar – just plain ol’ white sugar here.
1/4 teaspoon salt – just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
1/2 teaspoon almond extract – a little goes a long way, but OH, it’s delicious!
1 egg yolk – save the white for an omelet!
1/2 cup raspberry jam – my fave! Seedless works best, trust me.
Powdered sugar for dusting – for that snowy, wintery look!

Got it all? Good! Let’s get baking!

How to Make Reindeer Linzer Cookies: Step-by-Step

Okay, people, listen up! This is where the magic HAPPENS! Don’t worry, I’m gonna walk you through it. I promise, it’s easier than you think! We’re gonna go step-by-step, nice and slow.

First things first: Grab a bowl. A regular ol’ bowl will do! In it, you’re gonna whisk together that 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of almond flour, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Don’t skip the whisking! We don’t want any clumps.
Now, in ANOTHER bowl (yes, another one, sorry ’bout it!), cream together that 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. You want it light and fluffy, like you’re making a cloud! Beat in that 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract and the egg yolk. Mmm, smells good already, right?
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. This is important! Don’t dump it all in at once! Mix until JUST combined. Seriously, don’t overmix! Overmixing = tough cookies, and nobody wants tough cookies.
Divide that beautiful dough in half, flatten ’em into disks (like little cookie pancakes!), wrap ’em in plastic wrap (like you’re tucking them in!), and CHILL for at least 30 minutes. I know, I know, waiting is the WORST. But trust me on this one! Chilling prevents spreading in the oven. You can even chill it longer, like overnight!
Alright, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while you’re waiting. Get that oven nice and toasty! And line those baking sheets with parchment paper! Makes cleanup a breeze, and prevents sticking to the pans!
Okay, the fun part! On a lightly floured surface (dust it lightly, or you’ll have a floury mess!), roll out your dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Not too thick, not too thin!
Use your reindeer-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies! Aren’t they cute?! Now, for half of the cookies, cut out small circles from the center. These little circles will be the windows for the jam!
Place all your cookies (the whole reindeer and the ones with the holes) on those lovely parchment-lined baking sheets. Give them a little breathing room!
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them! Ovens can be weird, ya know?
Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. I know you wanna touch ’em, but RESIST! They need to cool, or they’ll break.
Once they’re cool, dust the tops of the cookies with holes with powdered sugar. Makes ’em look all snowy and magical!
Spread raspberry jam (or whatever jam you like!) on the bottom cookies, then carefully top with the dusted cookies. Ta-da! Reindeer Linzer Cookies!

Aren’t they precious?! Okay, time to eat ’em all. (Or, you know, share them if you’re feeling generous!)

Tips for Baking the Best Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Okay, listen up, cookie connoisseurs! Want those Reindeer Linzer Cookies to be *absolutely perfect*? Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way:

**Chill that dough! Seriously!** I know I already said it, but it’s SO important. Warm dough spreads like crazy in the oven, and you’ll end up with reindeer pancakes. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but longer is totally fine.
**Don’t overmix!** I’m gonna say it again! Overmixing develops gluten, which makes tough cookies. Mix until *just* combined.
**Roll evenly!** Uneven dough means uneven baking. Some cookies will be burnt, some will be raw. Aim for that 1/8-inch thickness.
**Watch ’em closely!** Ovens are weird. Seriously. Keep an eye on those cookies during baking, and pull them out when they’re *just* lightly golden. They’ll continue to bake a little on the baking sheet.

Follow these tips, and you’ll have Reindeer Linzer Cookies that are the envy of all your friends! Promise!

Variations on Your Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Alright, listen, these Reindeer Linzer Cookies are amazing just as they are, but what if you wanna get a little wild? What if you wanna mix things up a bit? I’m all for it! Here are a few ideas to get those creative cookie juices flowing:

**Jam Swap!** Raspberry’s my fave, but why not try apricot, strawberry, or even a little fig jam? Yum!
**Spice It Up!** Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a little cardamom to the dough for a warm, cozy flavor.
**Extract Extravaganza!** Skip the almond extract and go for vanilla, lemon, or even orange extract for a totally different vibe!

Seriously, the possibilities are endless! Get creative and make these Reindeer Linzer Cookies your own!

Storing Your Delicious Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Okay, so you’ve baked a mountain of these adorable Reindeer Linzer Cookies, and somehow, you didn’t eat them all in one sitting (I’m impressed!). Here’s how to keep ’em fresh and delicious:

Just pop them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay delightful for about 3-4 days. Wanna keep them longer? Freeze ’em! Just layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll be good for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to devour, let them thaw at room temperature. Easy peasy!

FAQ About Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Got questions? I got answers! Here are some of the most common things people ask about these adorable Reindeer Linzer Cookies:

Can I use regular flour instead of almond flour?

Ehhh, you *can*, but it won’t be quite the same! The almond flour gives these cookies such a lovely, delicate texture and that signature nutty flavor. If you absolutely HAVE to, use all-purpose, but promise me you’ll try it with almond flour next time! It’s worth it!

My dough is too sticky! What do I do?

Don’t panic! Sticky dough just means it needs to chill longer. Pop it back in the fridge for another 30 minutes (or even longer!) and it should be much easier to work with. A little extra flour on your rolling surface can help too!

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I recommend it! The cookies actually taste even BETTER after they’ve had a day or two to hang out. You can bake the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. Then, just fill them with jam right before serving. Talk about a holiday baking hack!

What kind of jam works best?

I’m a raspberry jam kinda gal, but honestly, anything goes! Strawberry, apricot, even a little fig jam would be delicious. Just make sure it’s a flavor you love! Seedless jam is usually easiest to work with, but if you’re feeling fancy, go for the seedy stuff! It’s all good!

Nutritional Information for Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information for these Reindeer Linzer Cookies can vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Because of this, I can’t provide exact figures. Enjoy!

Enjoyed This Reindeer Linzer Cookies Recipe?

Woohoo! So glad you gave these a try! If you loved these Reindeer Linzer Cookies as much as I do, please leave a comment below, and don’t forget to check out my other Christmas cookie recipes! Happy baking!