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A batch of raspberry Linzer bars cut into nine squares, with one square missing and a knife in the background.
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5 / 2 votes

Linzer Bars

These linzer bars have a sweet shortbread cookie crust, a jammy raspberry filling, a buttery crumble topping, and a sweet almond icing. Similar to the classic linzer tart but with so much less effort and fuss.
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: 290

Ingredients

For the crust

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 lemon Grated zest of, preferably organic
  • 3 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks

For the filling

  • 4 cups raspberries, quickly rinsed and plopped on paper towels to dry
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the glaze

  • 1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
  • 5 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

Prep the oven and pan

  • Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or two 8-inch baking dishes with parchment paper.

Make the crust

  • In a bowl, combine the flour, granulated and brown sugars, salt, and lemon zest. Add the butter and, using a food processor, pastry blender, or 2 table knives, quickly cut the butter into the flour mixture until the butter is the size of small peas.
  • Pat about 3/4 of the crust mixture over the bottom and slightly up the sides of the prepared pans, pressing firmly to make an even layer. Bake until the crust is pale golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Cover the remaining 1/4 crust mixture remaining in the bowl and refrigerate it.
  • Set the crust aside to cool while you make the filling.

Make the filling and assemble the linzer bars

  • In a saucepan, stir together the raspberries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves and the berries are juicy but not completely broken down, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
  • Spread the filling over the partially baked crust. Crumble the remaining chilled crust mixture over the filling. Bake until pale golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Make the glaze

  • In a bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, cream, and almond extract. Whisk the ingredients together until combined.

Glaze the linzer bars

  • Fit a piping bag with a small plain tip and fill it with the glaze or pour the glaze into a large resealable plastic bag and snip off the tip of one of the bottom corners. Pipe or drizzle the glaze over the linzer bars in any fashion that you fancy. Refrigerate until chilled through, at least 1 hour. Cut into bars.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 54mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g