The name, Linzer, came from Linzertorte, which is an Austrian torte/tart originated from Linz, Austria. This cookie is crisp if served on the same day it is assembled, but it can also be soft when stored with filling. The oldest Linzer torte-known written recipe was in 1653, and similarly Linzer cookies use the same recipe as Linzertorte but presented in cookie form. It is a cookie sandwich: the top cookie, dusted with confectioners sugar, has a cutout so the preserves are visible, (known as Linzer eyes). While the traditional cutout is circular, all sorts of shapes, such as hearts, are also popular.
During the non-Christmas season, I twist it up and make them with fresh chopped rosemary in the dough and fill them with fresh lemon curd.