I make dozens of linzer cookies every year for Christmas. Arranged in a pretty box, they make nice gifts for the mail man, UPS guy, and the FedEx gal. My favorite nurses also love them. Surprisingly, they soften once assembled and stored. The tender cookie is amazingly rich with nutty flavor and the filling is a perfect accent. They are so pretty! I have the small linzer cutters - fussy, but fun! I did have problems with the cutout shapes deforming in the oven. I solved this by recutting the hole as soon as they came out of the oven. I know - fussy. These larger cutters probably won't misshapen as much. I highly recommend the flavor oils, also - more intense flavor. Another thing that I learned, was to use the fillings used by bakeries for their pastries. The fruit fillings set up better, almost gel-like, and won't run. If you use jam - be sure to make them plenty ahead of time, so that the jam filling can set and doesn't escape. I know firsthand about that! The first year that I made them for gifts was pretty sloppy. I was rushed to get them packaged and delivered. The filling is supposed to be inside the cookie - not all over the edges and the gift box! Each year my linzers have improved, as I have learned from my mistakes. And each year I have fun coming up with different flavor and design combinations. Tasty, pretty and fun - let the baking begin! Sharon

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