Oh boy, do I have a cheerful treat to share with you today! I’d like to introduce you to my absolute favorite cookie creation: **Buttercream Filled Cookie Sandwiches**. Not only are these sandwiches bursting with color, but they also bring back some delightful childhood memories of baking sessions with my mom. We’d roll up our sleeves, sprinkle flour everywhere, and get a little butter on our noses as we baked up a storm!
What makes this recipe special is its versatility—a simple cookie dough can become a colorful masterpiece that’s perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to just an afternoon pick-me-up. Trust me, who wouldn’t want to indulge in soft cookies cradling creamy buttercream filling? So, let’s dive right into it and get you baking these beauties!
What’s in Buttercream Filled Cookie Sandwiches?
Let’s break down the star players in this recipe!
Unsalted Butter: The backbone of both the cookies and the buttercream filling! I recommend using unsalted butter so that you can control the overall saltiness and sweetness of your treats.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetness comes from this classic ingredient, which also helps achieve that lovely, fluffy texture in cookies when creamed with butter.
Egg: Just one large egg helps bind everything together and adds a rich flavor to the cookies.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of this heavenly ingredient brings warmth and depth to both the cookie dough and buttercream filling. I love using pure vanilla extract whenever possible!
All-Purpose Flour: The base for the cookies, providing structure and that satisfying chewy texture.
Baking Powder: This little magic ingredient helps the cookies puff up just perfectly as they bake.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweet flavors. You’ll hardly notice it, but it makes a big difference!
Food Coloring: This is where the fun comes in! You can go wild with colors, creating a stunning rainbow of cookie sandwiches.
For the buttercream filling, we have more of that lovely unsalted butter, heaps of powdered sugar (sweet tooth alert!), and more vanilla extract for flavor. Adding a splash of heavy cream or milk gives it that luscious feel we all love!
Is Buttercream Filled Cookie Sandwiches Good for You?
Alright, let’s have a real chat about these little wonders. While they’re surely a delicious treat, it’s good to keep in mind that dessert should be enjoyed in moderation.
Butter: It’s a source of fat, which can be a part of a balanced diet if consumed wisely. Just don’t go overboard!
Sugar: These cookies lean on the sweet side—perfect for satisfying cravings, but too much sugar can lead to energy crashes, so it’s best to enjoy them as an occasional treat.
However, with the use of quality ingredients and a made-from-scratch philosophy, you know exactly what’s going into your cookies, which is always a win!
Ingredients List
This recipe will yield about **12-16 cookie sandwiches**, depending on how big you make your cookies.
**For the Cookies:**
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– Food coloring (various colors for different cookies)
**For the Buttercream Filling:**
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (more if needed)
– Food coloring (optional, to match cookie colors)
How to Make Buttercream Filled Cookie Sandwiches?
Ready to bake? Let’s turn your kitchen into a bakery!
1. **Prepare the Cookie Dough:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
– In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (I usually do this for about 3-4 minutes!).
– Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
– In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
2. **Color the Dough:**
– Divide the dough into portions based on how many different colors you want. I like to avoid mixing too many colors together to keep it vibrant!
– Add food coloring to each portion and mix until you achieve the desired color. Get creative!
3. **Shape the Cookies:**
– Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
– Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to allow for spreading.
– Flatten each ball slightly, so they bake evenly.
4. **Bake the Cookies:**
– Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
– Don’t worry if they look soft in the middle! They’ll firm up as they cool.
– Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
5. **Prepare the Buttercream Filling:**
– In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
– Gradually add in the powdered sugar and beat until well incorporated.
– Mix in the vanilla extract and heavy cream (or milk) until smooth. Adjust with more cream if needed.
– Add food coloring here to match your cookies, if desired.
6. **Assemble the Cookie Sandwiches:**
– Once your cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of buttercream on the flat side of one cookie.
– Top it with another cookie, flat side down, to create a sandwich.
– Repeat this step until all cookies are filled!
7. **Serve and Enjoy:**
– Arrange those cute cookie sandwiches on a platter and get ready for compliments! Enjoy fresh or store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
Sweet Tips & Variations for Cookie Success!
Want to shake things up a bit? Here are some of my favorite tips:
– Feel free to mix in chocolate chips, sprinkles, or nuts into your cookie dough for added flavor and texture!
– If you’re short on time, skip the coloring part—plain cookies filled with rich white buttercream are still heavenly!
– Really want to impress? Drizzle some chocolate ganache on top of the assembled sandwiches for that extra touch!
I hope you’re as excited to try this recipe as I am! These Buttercream Filled Cookie Sandwiches are bound to be a hit, whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just treating yourself—because let’s face it, we all deserve a little sweetness in our lives. Let me know how it goes, and I’d love to hear your variations! Happy baking!
