Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Printer-friendly)
Soft buttery cookies with colorful pastel buttercream filling, ideal for spring celebrations.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Sugar Cookies
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Pastel Buttercream Filling
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 tablespoons milk
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Gel food coloring in pastel colors (pink, yellow, green, blue)
# How-To Guide:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly combined.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
04 - Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Divide dough in half and shape each portion into a flat disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out rounds or shapes using a 2-inch cookie cutter.
08 - Place cut cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire racks.
10 - Beat softened butter in a bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
11 - Divide buttercream into small bowls. Add a small amount of gel food coloring to each bowl, mixing until desired pastel shade is achieved.
12 - Spread or pipe a layer of colored buttercream onto the flat side of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies to form sandwiches.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They look like something from a fancy bakery but come together with simple ingredients you probably already have
- The buttercream is forgiving enough that even sloppy piping looks charming and homemade
02 -
- Chilling the dough is nonnegotiable because warm dough spreads into thin, sad cookies
- Let the cookies cool completely before adding frosting or the buttercream will melt right off
03 -
- Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper instead of on your counter to keep it from sticking and needing extra flour
- Chill the assembled cookies for 15 minutes before serving to make them easier to handle without the filling squishing out