Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Printable version)

Buttery sugar cookies with pastel buttercream filling, ideal for spring celebrations and festive occasions.

# What you need:

→ 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 shades (pink, yellow, green, blue)

# How to make it:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut rounds or shapes using a 2-inch cookie cutter.
08 - Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges begin to turn golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then 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 -
  • Buttery sugar cookies that melt in your mouth paired with cloud-like buttercream is a combination that feels like sunshine on a plate
  • The pastel filling turns ordinary cookies into something that makes people pause and smile before they even take a bite
02 -
  • Overworking the dough after adding flour will make your cookies tough, so stop mixing as soon as everything comes together
  • The buttercream must be completely cool before piping or it will melt right off the cookies in a puddle
03 -
  • Chill your baking sheets between batches if the dough becomes too soft, which helps cookies keep their shape in the oven
  • Use a small offset spatula to spread the buttercream instead of piping for a more rustic, homemade look that shows off the colors

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