Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Printable View)
Delicate sugar cookies with colorful pastel buttercream filling, ideal for spring gatherings and 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)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
03 - Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out rounds with a 2-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges just begin to turn golden. Cool on sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.
09 - Beat the butter until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt, beating until smooth and fluffy.
10 - Divide the buttercream into small bowls and tint each with a different pastel food coloring.
11 - Spread or pipe a generous layer of buttercream onto the flat side of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies to create sandwiches.
12 - Allow cookies to set for 20 minutes before serving to let the filling firm up slightly.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The buttercream stays soft for days while the cookies remain tender and melt-in-your-mouth perfect
- You can customize the pastel colors for any occasion from baby showers to spring tea parties
- These cookies look impressive but use basic pantry staples you probably already have
02 -
- Warm dough will spread and lose its shape so if your cookies start getting sticky pop them back in the fridge for 10 minutes
- Gel coloring is much more concentrated than liquid so use a toothpick to add tiny amounts at a time
03 -
- Roll dough between two sheets of parchment paper instead of on a floured counter for cleaner edges and less mess
- Chill your baking sheets with cut cookies for 5 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape