Linzer Torte Cookies

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 7×11-inch baking pan.

Step 2
Cream sugar and butter together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer. Beat in egg and lemon zest.

Step 3
Stir flour, ground almonds, cinnamon, and cloves together in a separate bowl. Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Dough will be stiff and may need to be kneaded by hand in order to come together.

Step 4
Divide dough in half. Press one half into the bottom of the prepared pan. Place remaining half onto a lightly floured surface and roll it with your hands into a long, 1/2-inch diameter rope.

Step 5
Spread jam over the dough in the pan. Cut dough rope into lengths and arrange them across the jam in a lattice pattern.

Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven until top crust is golden, about 40 minutes.

Step 7
Remove from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack to cool before cutting into 1×2-inch bars.