Raspberry Linzer SquaresKevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail
The melt-in-the-mouth texture and slightly nutty flavour are an outstanding combination. Linzers are usually made with hazelnuts but any ground nuts can be used – the texture doesn't change, just the flavour.
A lattice pattern is essentially created by crisscrossing strips of dough over the tart. You want to keep the strips about an inch apart from each other (the same thickness as strips) and alternate them from one side to another.
Servings: 16 squares
Ready Time: 4 hours, including cooling time
Ingredients
6 ounces (175 grams) butter, chilled
½ cup icing sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1¼ cups all purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 cup ground walnuts or hazelnuts
½ cup seedless raspberry preserves
2 tablespoons icing sugar
Method
Cream butter and sugar, using a food processor, until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
Sift flour and cornstarch together and stir in nuts. Add to creamed mixture and process until just incorporated.
Gather dough and separate into 2 balls. Wrap one in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Press the second ball into a greased 8-inch square pan. Chill approximately 20 minutes.
Preheat oven at 325 F.
Bake dough for 10 to 15 minutes or until just firm. Remove from oven, cool and spread raspberry preserves over.
Roll out the second piece of pastry into a ⅛-inch thickness and cut into 1-inch thick strips. Lay strips over top in a lattice pattern. Bake again for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is browned. Sift with icing sugar and cool. Cut into squares.
Store in airtight cookie tin for up to 2 weeks.
Lucy Waverman