It is time for another one of my Christmas Cookie Recipes! At the rate I am going, it will be next Christmas before I get through this list. The cookies are from Taste of Home December/January 2010. They turned out so beautiful! They were simple too so the fact that they were easy and beautiful makes them a keeper.

Linzer Cookies
1 1/4 Cups Butter, softened
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
3 Cups Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Cocoa
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
2 Cups Ground Almonds
Raspberry Jam and Confectioners' Sugar

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt and spices; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in almonds. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with a floured 2 1/2 inch round cookie cutter. I used my Demarle set and it worked great! From the center half of the cookies, cut out a 1 1 /2 inch shape.

Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Spread the bottom of each solid cookies with 1/2 teaspoon jam. Sprinkle cutout cookies with confectioners sugar; carefully place over jam.