Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Print)
Buttery sugar cookies with pastel buttercream filling, ideal for spring celebrations
# Ingredient list:
→ Sugar Cookies
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/4 tsp salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
→ Pastel Buttercream Filling
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 tbsp milk
11 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
12 - Gel food coloring in pastel colors (pink, yellow, green, blue)
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl 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 until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten each portion into discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out rounds or desired shapes using a 2-inch cookie cutter.
08 - Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Let cool completely on wire racks.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then incorporate milk and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
10 - Divide buttercream into small bowls. Tint each portion with a different pastel food coloring, mixing until desired color is achieved.
11 - Spread or pipe a layer of colored buttercream onto half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies to form sandwiches.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The buttery cookies melt in your mouth while the pastel filling makes everything feel like a celebration
- These freeze beautifully so you can bake ahead and have them ready for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings
02 -
- Overchilling the dough makes it crack when rolling, but underchilling causes spreading and lost shapes
- Gel food coloring is essential because liquid colors will make your buttercream too soft to hold its shape
03 -
- Roll your dough to an even thickness by using two 1/4 inch wooden dowels as guides on either side
- Rotate your baking sheet halfway through baking for perfectly even golden edges