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These melt-in-your-mouth Gluten-Free Apricot Linzer Squares feature a buttery almond shortbread crust, filled with apricot preserves and made with half the usual amount of sweetener. This simple, gluten-free dessert is perfect for the holidays, is easy to make, and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Simple Ingredients for a Casual Gluten-Free Dessert
To make this easy, casual gluten-free dessert, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients:
Two types of flour (gluten-free all purpose flour blend and almond flour)
Butter
Spices
Eggs
Vanilla
Orange zest
Reduced-sugar apricot preserves
Easy Gluten-Free Apricot Linzer Squares
These gluten-free Apricot Linzer Squares are quick and easy. The only thing that takes time is chilling the dough for 40 minutes. Other than that, it’s a straightforward process of mixing the dry ingredients, creaming the sugar with the eggs, and then combining everything together. Nothing too complicated here!
Preparing the Dough
The dough is a bit stiff and sticky, but it’s still easy to work with. Start by pressing about 2/3 of the dough into the base of your baking pan. Once the dough is spread out, cover the pan and place it in the fridge along with the remaining dough. Let both chill for 40 minutes to firm up.
Assembling the Squares
After the dough has chilled, spread a generous layer of apricot preserves over the base. Take the remaining dough and roll it out into a square. Cut the dough into strips and arrange them over the preserves in a lattice pattern. Once this is done, the Linzer squares are ready for the oven!
Apricot Linzer Squares: Simple, Sweet, and Gluten-Free
Preserves vs. Jam:
Preserves contain whole or larger pieces of fruit.
Jam is made with mashed fruit.
Simple Recipe, Easy Steps:
This gluten-free apricot Linzer squares recipe is straightforward with no complicated steps.
After chilling, cut the dessert into squares. I typically cut it into 16 squares.
Serving Suggestions:
For a larger gathering, slice the squares into smaller pieces—just a small taster is enough, as they are sweet and satisfying.
Healthier Sweet Treat:
The best part: This dessert is made with half the sugar typically found in other sweet treats, making it a lighter option without compromising on taste.
A Touch of Cinnamon Sugar for Extra Flavor
To make these gluten-free apricot Linzer squares even more delightful, I added a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top. The cinnamon sugar mixture is easy to make—just combine 2 tablespoons powdered sugar with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, then sprinkle generously over the squares before baking. It adds a lovely sweetness and a hint of spice!
Whisk together flours, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt
2.
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, vanilla and orange zest
3.
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture one third at a time, mixing after each time until combined. The batter will be thick and sticky but easy enough to spread in the pan
4.
Line an 8 by an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Spread approximately 2/3 of the batter on the bottom of the pan and smooth the top. Cover the remaining dough with plastic wrap and place the pan and the dough in the refrigerator for 40 minutes
5.
Preheat oven to 350 F
6.
Spread preserves evenly over the dough in the pan.
7.
Roll out the remaining dough between two sheets of parchment paper to 8 by 8-inch square. Cut into about 3/4 inch strips and lay across the top in a lattice pattern.
8.
Bake for 35 - 38 minutes until the pastry is golden and the jam is bubbling
9.
Cool, and dust with powdered sugar if you wish. Just before serving, cut into 16 squares
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