These matcha linzer cookies with red bean filling bring a fun Asian twist to a classic treat. Featuring a tender, buttery matcha dough that melts in your mouth. The hint of earthiness from the matcha complements the sweet, creamy red bean filling.

Jump to:

• What is a Linzer Cookie?
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Equipment
• Ingredients
• What Grade of Matcha Should I Use for Baking These Matcha Cookies?
• Tips and Tricks
• Storage Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipe

What is a Linzer Cookie?

A linzer cookie is a delicate, sandwich-style treat originating from Linz, Austria. It's inspired by the linzer torte, a pastry with a buttery, nutty crust and a lattice design on top. Similarly, these linzer cookies feature a buttery, almond-based shortbread dough, usually cut into decorative shapes with a central cut-out to reveal a layer of jam filling, traditionally raspberry or apricot. They take a bit more work than your average shortbread, but linzer cookies are totally worth it for that perfect mix of buttery dough and sweet filling.

My take on these cookies feature matcha (one of my favorite flavors)! It infuses the cookies with a subtle earthy flavor and vibrant green hue, which adds a sweet asian twist to this traditional treat. I love how the matcha's slight bitterness complements the sweet red bean paste filling without being overly sweet, making these cookies incredibly addictive!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These cookies are rich and incredibly buttery.
• Subtle matcha earthiness meets sweet red bean. The flavors balance without being overly sweet.
• Simple, make-ahead recipe. Perfect for prepping in advance for special occasions.
• Showstopping cookie with elegant details. The vibrant matcha green, dusting of powdered sugar, and cute cut-out design make them perfect for any cookie box or gathering.

Equipment

• Kitchen scale - Used to accurately weigh all ingredients as my recipe is mainly in grams.
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer - Although a stand mixer is not necessary, an electric hand mixer is highly recommended, especially for making cookies. The creaming process of softened butter and sugar is much easier and more efficient with an electric mixer than with manual mixing. Trust me, it will make a huge difference in the final product!
• Rolling pin - Necessary for rolling out the dough. I love using a rolling pin with removable rings like this one to help achieve the perfect thickness every time, making the process so much easier and the cookies beautifully uniform!
• 2 inch fluted cookie cutter or Linzer cookie cutter set - To make things easy, you can find pre-made Linzer cookie cutter sets with interchangeable shapes for the small “window” cut-outs. I used this specific set for my cookies, which comes with a variety of classic and seasonal window shapes. Alternatively, you can use a 2 inch round or fluted cutter for the main cookie and pair it with a mini cookie cutter for the center window. Either way, both methods are perfect for creating uniform, professional-looking cookies while allowing for fun, creative designs!
• Baking sheet - You'll of course need a baking sheet to bake the cookies on! I recommend this one so you get perfectly baked and easily removable cookies.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Almond flour - Adds a rich, nutty flavor and contributes to the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes linzer cookies so special. It’s a key ingredient for achieving the classic taste and tenderness.
• Kosher salt - I always use Diamond Crystal's kosher salt. But if you're using regular table salt, I recommend halving the amount of salt called for in my recipe.
• Matcha powder - I talk about which grade of matcha I use for my baking, under "What Grade of Matcha Should I Use for Baking These Matcha Cookies?" Make sure you sift any type of matcha powder before using in your recipe!
• Unsalted butter - Make sure this is at room temperature. Using room temperature butter in cookies ensures proper creaming with sugars, creating a light and fluffy texture. The softened butter incorporates more air, promoting better distribution of ingredients.
• Powdered sugar - Blends seamlessly into the dough, creating a smoother texture and a softer cookie that melts in your mouth. Make sure to have extra for dusting the tops of your cookies!
• Egg yolks - Yolks add moisture, creating a more tender cookie. It also makes it easier to roll out the dough.
• Vanilla extract - You can use vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, whatever you have available.
• Red bean spread - I used this brand of red bean spread, but you can use any red bean paste as the filling.

What Grade of Matcha Should I Use for Baking These Matcha Cookies?

When choosing matcha for baking, it’s important to understand the difference between ceremonial-grade and culinary-grade matcha.

• Ceremonial-grade matcha is the highest quality matcha, typically used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. This grade of matcha powder is made from youngest tea leaves, which have higher concentrations of nutrients at the time they’re harvested. It is finely ground into a smooth, vibrant green powder that offers a delicate, slightly sweet earthiness that works well in drinks and light desserts.
• Culinary-grade matcha is specially designed for cooking and baking. It’s harvested from older tea leaves, which gives culinary grade matcha its more bitter, robust flavor that helps it stand up to the tastes of other ingredients.

I prefer using ceremonial-grade matcha for it's high-quality matcha flavor that adds a subtle sweetness and less bitterness compared to culinary-grade matcha. You can certainly use whatever matcha powder you have on hand, but consider the following when choosing your matcha powder:

• Flavor - Ceremonial-grade matcha has a light, smooth flavor that can get lost in baked goods, while culinary-grade matcha has a bolder taste that holds up better alongside sugar and other ingredients.
• Color - Ceremonial-grade matcha is usually a brighter, more vibrant green, while culinary-grade can look a bit more muted. This can affect how your cookies or cakes look when they’re done.
• Cost - Ceremonial-grade matcha costs more because it’s higher quality and takes more effort to produce. If you’re baking on a budget, culinary-grade is often the more practical choice.
• Texture - Ceremonial-grade matcha is very fine and smooth, which can give your baked goods a more delicate texture. Culinary-grade is a little coarser, but it works well when blended with other ingredients.

Storage Instructions

• Storing - These matcha linzer cookies are best enjoyed the same day they are assembled. But you can store them for up to 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Unassembled cookies (without the powdered sugar dusting on the top) can last 7 days in an airtight container.
• Freezing cookie dough - Unbaked dough can freeze up to 3 months if wrapped tightly in plastic. Before baking, let the frozen dough thaw at room temperature for at least 15-20 minutes before rolling out or baking them straight.
• Freezing baked and assembled cookies - Baked and assembled cookies (without the powdered sugar topping) can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer-safe, labeled with a freezing date. These cookies will last for up to 3 months in the freezer, but we guarantee you’ll eat them all before then!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these matcha linzer cookies nut-free?

While almond flour is traditionally used for that crumbly and tender texture, you can also substitute an equal amount of all-purpose flour to make this nut-free.

Can I make these matcha linzer cookies gluten-free?

To make Linzer cookies gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend at a 1:1 ratio. Pick a high-quality blend when substituting with gluten-free flour.

How do I prevent these matcha linzer cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Make sure to chill the dough before baking, roll it out evenly, and avoid overworking the dough to keep the cookies from spreading excessively during baking.

Can I use a different filling for these matcha linzer cookies?

Yes! A really great alternative filling that pairs well with matcha would be strawberry, raspberry, or even a tangy lemon curd for a burst of bright flavor that complements the earthy matcha.

Recipe