Linzer torte

The Linzer Torte is a cherished Austrian pastry originating from the city of Linz. This delightful dessert features a crumbly shortcake base topped with a layer of fruit preserves and adorned with a beautiful lattice of sliced nuts. It is crafted from a delicious mix of flour, unsalted butter, egg yolks, lemon zest, cinnamon, lemon juice, and ground nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, or almonds. Typically, the filling consists of redcurrant, raspberry, or apricot preserves.

This single-layered dessert is brushed with egg whites, baked to perfection, and garnished with nuts. It is a festive favorite in Austrian, Hungarian, Swiss, German, and Tyrolean households, especially during Christmas.

Moreover, the Linzer Torte has a delightful cousin: Linzer Cookies or Linzer Tarts. These are essentially sandwich cookies with a cut-out circle on the top layer, revealing the luscious fruit preserves inside, all dusted with a light sprinkling of confectioner's sugar.

The Linzer Torte has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The oldest known recipe was discovered in a Veronese document from 1653. There are some charming legends about its origins, with some attributing it to a Viennese confectioner named Linzer, and others to the Franconian pastry chef Johann Konrad Vogel. The torte's popularity even crossed the Atlantic, reportedly introduced to the United States in the 1850s by an Austrian immigrant named Franz Hölzlhuber.

Whether enjoyed as a torte or a cookie, the Linzer Torte is a timeless classic that brings a touch of Austrian tradition to any celebration.