Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Print Version)

Delicate sugar cookies filled with pastel-hued buttercream for a whimsical, sweet treat perfect for spring celebrations or afternoon tea.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sugar Cookies

01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
04 - ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Pastel Buttercream Filling

08 - ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
09 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 1 ½ tablespoons milk
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 - Pinch of salt
13 - Pastel gel food coloring (pink, yellow, green, blue, or purple)

# Steps:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until thoroughly combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut rounds with 2-inch cookie cutter, placing 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
08 - Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges begin to turn golden. Cool on sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt, beating until smooth and fluffy.
10 - Divide buttercream into small bowls. Tint each portion with different pastel food coloring.
11 - Spread or pipe buttercream onto flat side of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies to form sandwiches.
12 - Allow assembled cookies to set for 20 minutes before serving to ensure filling holds firm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cookies stay tender for days unlike crisp sugar cookies that go stale
  • You can customize colors for any occasion from baby showers to spring tea parties
02 -
  • Overworking the dough makes cookies tough so mix only until flour disappears
  • Warm dough spreads excessively so keep chilling between batches if your kitchen runs hot
03 -
  • Use the back of a measuring spoon dipped in warm water to smooth any uneven buttercream edges
  • Roll the edges of assembled sandwiches in sprinkles immediately after filling before the buttercream crusts over

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