Gluten Free Linzer Torte

Prep Time: 30 mins

Bake Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
• Dash of lemon zest
• 1 cup ground almonds
• A pinch of salt
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 2 egg
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup raspberry jam
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

How To Make Gluten-Free Linzer Torte?

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground almonds. Set it aside.
2. In another large mixing bowl, mix together the softened butter, vanilla extract, eggs, and white sugar until well combined. Add lemon zest and mix. 
3. Add the flour mixture gradually and combine until a pliable dough forms.
4. Take about two-thirds of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of a greased 9-inch tart pan and up the sides of the prepared tart pan, forming the crust.
5. Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the crust.
6. Roll out the leftover dough onto a floured surface to a thickness of about ¼ inch. Cut the dough into strips and arrange them on top of the raspberry jam to create a lattice pattern.
7. Bake the Linzer Torte in the oven (preheated to 350°F) for about 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
8. Let it cool thoroughly in the pan.
9. Once cooled, carefully remove the sides of the tart pan. Dust the Linzer Torte with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions:

The Linzer Torte is traditionally served at room temperature and goes well with a scoop of ice cream.  If you are serving the Linzer Torte for a special occasion or gathering, consider pairing it with a cup of coffee or tea. The combination of the sweet, buttery tart with a warm beverage is truly delightful.

Variations:

• Nuts: You can use ground hazelnuts instead of almonds. 
• Jam: Linzer Torte is traditionally made with raspberry jam, but you can also use other fruit jams such as strawberry, redcurrant, marmalade blackberry, or apricot. Feel free to experiment with different flavors to suit your preferences.
• Spice: You can leave the cinnamon; the cake is delicious even without the cinnamon. Or you can try to incorporate other spices such as nutmeg, cloves, or allspice into the dough for a more aromatic taste. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite blend of flavors.
• Chocolate: If you want to add an extra touch to your Linzer Torte, you can melt some dark chocolate and drizzle it over the top of the tart once it has cooled. This will add a delightful chocolatey flavor to complement the fruity jam.
• Linzer Cookies: This recipe can also be used to make Linzer Cookies by using cookie cutters and punching one little hole in the center of some cookies. Bake according to the cookie instructions. When the cookies have cooled, spread the raspberry filling on each cookie that doesn’t have a hole cut in the middle. Then, top each cookie with a cookie that has a hole cut out. Before serving, dust with sugar.  

Pro Tips:

• Use a kitchen scale to measure the ingredients for the best results.
• Spray the sides and bottom of the pan with cooking spray and use parchment paper to protect the pastry from sticking to the pan.
• Create space between the lattices; otherwise, they would merge together during baking, making the jam filling invisible.
• Serve the Linzer Torte at room temperature or slightly warmed.
• Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days if kept in an airtight container. The flavors of the Linzer Torte tend to develop and intensify over time, making it even more delicious on the second day.

So, grab your apron, dust off your rolling pin, and delve into the art of baking Linzer Torte. With our recipe guide, you’ll soon master the art of this classic Austrian dessert, creating a treat that is not only visually stunning but also utterly irresistible. Get ready to indulge in a slice of Linzer Torte heaven!