Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Printable)
Soft pastel cookies with creamy vanilla buttercream filling, ideal for festive spring occasions.
# Ingredient List:
→ Sugar Cookie Dough
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 - 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 tsp almond extract
09 - Gel food coloring in pastel shades
→ Vanilla Buttercream Filling
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 1 tbsp milk or heavy cream
13 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt
15 - Sprinkles for decoration
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.
03 - Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Divide dough evenly into 4-5 bowls. Tint each portion with a different pastel gel food coloring, mixing until uniform.
07 - Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Gently press each dough ball with palm to slightly flatten for even baking.
09 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking.
10 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Beat butter until creamy. Blend in powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk until smooth and fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional milk if needed.
12 - Spread or pipe buttercream onto flat side of half the cookies. Place remaining cookies on top to form sandwiches.
13 - Roll edges in sprinkles if desired for extra decoration.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The pastel colors make these cookies feel like edible springtime, perfect for holidays or whenever you need something cheerful
- These cookies stay soft for days thanks to the buttercream filling, so you can make them ahead without stress
02 -
- Overbaking is the enemy of soft sandwich cookies so pull them when edges look set and centers still appear slightly underdone
- Let these cookies cool completely before assembling or the buttercream will melt and slide right off the sides
03 -
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh your flour if possible because measuring by volume can lead to dry or tough cookies
- Chill the colored dough for 15 minutes before scooping if it feels too soft or sticky to work with