Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches Recipe

Introduction

These Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. Soft, lightly colored sugar cookies are filled with a creamy vanilla frosting, creating a fun and tasty sandwich that’s as pretty as it is delicious.

Ingredients

• For the Sugar Cookies:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Gel food coloring (pink, yellow, green, blue, and purple)
• For the Vanilla Filling:
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until combined. The dough will be thick but soft. Add the milk and mix until incorporated.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into five portions. Using gel food coloring, tint each portion a different pastel color. Knead until the color is evenly distributed.
5. Step 5: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie and roll into a smooth ball. Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are set and tops look slightly cracked but not browned. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Step 6: To make the vanilla filling, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream (or milk), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until fluffy and spreadable. Adjust consistency with more cream or powdered sugar as needed.
7. Step 7: Once cookies are completely cool, pair them by similar sizes. Spread a generous amount of filling onto the flat side of one cookie using a piping bag or spoon. Top with the second cookie and press gently to spread the filling evenly.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring to achieve vibrant pastel shades without changing the dough’s texture.
• For a citrus twist, add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the vanilla filling.
• To keep cookies soft, store them with a slice of bread in an airtight container.
• Experiment with different flavors of filling such as chocolate or cream cheese frosting.

Storage

Store the cookie sandwiches in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week. Allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. You can also freeze the assembled cookie sandwiches for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Regular liquid food coloring can be used, but gel food coloring is preferred as it provides more vibrant colors without making the dough too wet.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure to chill the dough slightly before baking and use parchment paper to keep the cookies contained. Avoid using too much butter or adding extra liquid beyond the recipe.

Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 53 reviews

Delight in these colorful pastel sugar cookie sandwiches bursting with a soft vanilla filling. Soft, lightly sweetened sugar cookies tinted with pastel shades come together to form charming, delicious sandwich treats perfect for celebrations, tea time, or gifting.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: About 40 cookies (20 cookie sandwiches) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

FOR THE SUGAR COOKIES:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Gel food coloring (pink, yellow, green, blue, and purple)

FOR THE VANILLA FILLING:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for baking the cookies evenly.
2. Make the cookie dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined, creating a smooth base for the dough.
3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed to avoid overworking the dough. Add the milk last and mix until everything is fully incorporated, yielding a thick but soft dough.
4. Color the dough: Divide the dough evenly into five portions. Using gel food coloring, tint each portion a different pastel color — pink, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Knead each portion gently until the color is evenly distributed.
5. Shape and bake: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into smooth balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookie edges are set and tops appear slightly cracked but not browned. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Make the vanilla filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the heavy cream (or milk), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating the filling until it is fluffy and spreadable. Adjust consistency by adding more cream if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
7. Assemble the cookie sandwiches: Once completely cooled, pair cookies of similar size. Using a piping bag or spoon, spread a generous amount of vanilla filling on the flat side of one cookie. Top with the matching cookie and press gently to evenly spread the filling and create a sandwich.

Notes

• Use gel food coloring to achieve vibrant pastel hues without affecting dough consistency.
• Do not overbake cookies; they should be just set and lightly cracked on top.
• Ensure cookies are completely cool before assembling to prevent filling from melting.
• Adjust filling thickness by varying powdered sugar and cream amounts for perfect spreadability.
• Store assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with vegan butter and use a plant-based milk or cream.

Keywords: pastel sugar cookie sandwiches, vanilla filling, colorful sugar cookies, easy sugar cookies, baked cookie sandwiches, festive cookies