Valentine Sandwich Cookies
Valentine Sandwich Cookies are delightful heart-shaped treats made of chocolate cookies sandwiched with a creamy, colorful filling, perfect for sharing love on Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
For the chocolate cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Bring to room temperature for easy blending.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder Use high-quality for the best flavor.
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened Use room temperature for a creamy texture.
- 2-3 tablespoons half and half
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar Adjust to desired sweetness.
- as needed pink or red food coloring For a festive touch.
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring the butter to room temperature until softened.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat together until light and airy, about three minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture at low speed until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for one hour.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies, placing them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until slightly puffed and chocolatey scented. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, half and half, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and slightly stiff.
- Add food coloring as desired to achieve the desired hue.
Assembly
- Fill a piping bag or zip-lock bag with the filling. Pipe filling onto half of the cooled cookies and top with the remaining cookies to create sandwiches.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to three months if you want to extend their life. For extra flavor, consider different extracts or a pinch of sea salt in the filling.