Introduction

These Nutella Linzer Heart Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic Linzer cookie, filled with rich chocolate hazelnut spread and shaped into charming hearts. Perfect for gifting or sharing, they combine a tender almond-flour cookie with a sweet and creamy center.

The image shows many heart-shaped cookies arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has three layers: the bottom layer is a light brown cookie base, the middle layer is a smooth, shiny dark chocolate filling visible through a heart-shaped cutout in the top layer, and the top layer is a darker brown cookie with half covered in white powdered sugar, creating a split color pattern between powdered sugar and cocoa powder dusting. Some cookies are whole hearts with no cutouts, just dusted with powdered sugar or cocoa powder, adding texture contrast. The cookies have a smooth, glossy chocolate section with subtle swirls inside the heart cutout. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup almond flour
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella)
Powdered sugar for dusting
Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine the all purpose flour, almond flour, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
Step 2: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream together the unsalted butter and sugar until soft and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
Step 3: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing until fully incorporated into a dough.
Step 4: Divide the dough into two equal discs. Place each disc between two sheets of parchment paper and roll out to about 1/8 inch thickness. Freeze the rolled dough for 45 minutes to an hour.
Step 5: Remove the top parchment sheet. Use a large heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies from the dough. For half of these cookies, use a smaller heart cutter to cut out a center hole.
Step 6: Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Arrange the cookies on a lined baking sheet, including the small hearts punched from the centers. Bake for about 8 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Warm the Nutella in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften it. Spread Nutella on the whole heart cookies. Dust the cookies with the cut-out centers with powdered sugar, then sandwich the two cookies together.
Step 8: For the small heart cut-outs, dust them with powdered sugar or cocoa powder (or both). You can serve them as is or sandwich pairs together with Nutella.

Tips & Variations

For a firmer cookie, chill the dough longer before cutting. This helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking.
Substitute almond flour with hazelnut flour for a more pronounced nutty flavor.
Try different fillings like raspberry jam or another chocolate spread for variety.
Dust the sandwich cookies with a mix of powdered sugar and a little cinnamon for extra warmth.

Storage

Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer, keep the cookies and filling separate and assemble just before serving to avoid softness. Leftover cookies can also be frozen without filling for up to a month; thaw at room temperature before filling.

How to Serve

Heart-shaped cookies are spread on a white marbled surface in a random pattern. Each cookie has two layers: a soft brown top layer shaped like a heart with a smaller heart cut out in the center, revealing a smooth dark chocolate layer below, and a golden-brown base. Some of the cookies are dusted half or fully with white powdered sugar, creating a contrast on the brown layer. There are also smaller solid heart-shaped cookies, both brown and powdered with sugar, scattered among the larger ones. The textures include the powdery sugar, smooth chocolate, and crumbly cookie layers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and freeze it wrapped in parchment and plastic wrap for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.

What can I use instead of Nutella?

If you want an alternative to Nutella, try other chocolate-hazelnut spreads, peanut butter chocolate spreads, or fruit preserves like raspberry or strawberry jam for a classic Linzer cookie style.