If you’ve been searching for the perfect treat that feels both nostalgic and delightfully indulgent, look no further than this Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Fluffy, tender sugar cookies perfectly baked to soft-chewy perfection are lovingly paired with a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s rich yet tangy, creating a mouthwatering combination that feels like a sweet hug in cookie form. Whether it’s a cozy afternoon tea, a festive celebration, or a simple dessert craving, these sandwiches are pure joy in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the ingredient list intimidate you. These components are straightforward and classic, each playing a starring role to ensure your Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe turns out heavenly. From the buttery richness to the gentle sweetness and the subtle hint of vanilla, each element brings balance and magic to your cookies.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup): The base of your dough, providing that soft, tender crumb in your sugar cookies.
- Sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens the dough and helps create a delicate crunch on the edges.
- Egg (1 large) & Egg Yolk (1 large): Eggs add structure and richness, while the yolk tightens the dough for the perfect texture.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the flavor with a warm, comforting aroma.
- Flour (2 1/2 cups): The canvas for your cookies’ shape and soft bite.
- Baking Powder (1 teaspoon): Gives your cookies a light lift without overpowering fluffiness.
- Baking Soda (1/2 teaspoon): Reacts with ingredients to add tenderness and subtle rise.
- Salt (3/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and sharpens flavors.
- Sparkling Sugar: Adds a sparkle and a delicate crunch once baked.
- Butter, softened (1/2 cup): For the cream cheese frosting, bringing richness and smoothness.
- Cream Cheese, softened (8-ounce package): The star of the frosting, lending tang and creaminess.
- Powdered Sugar (3 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect consistency.
- Vanilla Bean Paste (1 teaspoon): Adds depth and a speckled beauty to your frosting.
How to Make Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Begin by placing your softened butter and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Beat them together for about 4 minutes until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and dreamy. This process traps air, helping your cookies get that wonderful soft texture. Remember to scrape down the sides halfway so every bit is evenly mixed.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add your whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat everything together for another minute to fully combine all those luscious flavors and build a smooth, velvety dough.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Be careful here — you want to mix just until everything comes together. Overmixing will develop gluten and make your cookies tough, and that’s the last thing you want. Think soft, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Wrap your dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling firms up the dough, helping with easier handling and preventing the cookies from spreading too much when baked. Plus, it deepens the flavors—always a win.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line light-colored baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy cleanup. Roll the chilled dough into balls and place them on the baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes until the edges turn just golden but the centers stay soft and chewy. Don’t overbake — that soft center is key.
Step 6: Add Sparkling Sugar
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, sprinkle them generously with sparkling sugar. This adds a beautiful shimmer and a little crispy texture that makes each bite sparkle with personality.
Step 7: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until light and airy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, add powdered sugar along with the vanilla bean paste. Beat for another 2 minutes until your frosting is perfectly smooth, fluffy, and ready to spread.
Step 8: Assemble the Cookie Sandwiches
Take one cookie and spread a generous dollop of the cream cheese frosting on its flat side. Top it with another cookie, flat side down, gently pressing until the frosting just reaches the edges. For extra neat results, pop your frosting into a piping bag and swirl a pretty design on the cookie before sandwiching. Leaving a small border keeps the frosting from oozing out too much, giving you those picture-perfect edges.
How to Serve Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra sparkling sugar on top for that dazzling finish or add a light dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder to the frosting edges for a subtle twist. Fresh berries served nearby can brighten up the plate and complement the tangy frosting beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a hot cup of tea, rich coffee, or a cold glass of milk to balance the sweetness perfectly. They also make a delightful companion to fresh fruit salad or vanilla ice cream if you’re looking to elevate the dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe in a tiered dessert platter for celebrations or gift them in a decorative box tied with a ribbon — they make thoughtful, homemade gifts. You can also dip half of each sandwich into melted chocolate and sprinkle some nuts or colorful sprinkles for a fun visual and taste upgrade.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any uneaten Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This helps maintain the soft texture of the cookies and the creamy goodness of the frosting without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the assembled sandwiches. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially so they don’t stick together, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving for best results.
Reheating
Since these cookies are best enjoyed soft and fresh, avoid microwaving which could affect the frosting’s texture. Instead, let them come to room temperature naturally after removing them from the fridge or freezer, giving you that fresh-from-the-oven feel in every bite.
FAQs
Can I use margarine instead of butter in the cookies?
Butter is highly recommended for this Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe because it provides the rich flavor and tender crumb essential to the cookie’s texture. Margarine might work, but the taste and texture could be less satisfying.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?
Chilling the dough for at least one hour before baking is crucial. This solidifies the fats and helps the cookies keep their shape instead of melting into flat discs in the oven.
Why is it important not to overbake these cookies?
The goal is a soft, tender cookie with lightly golden edges. Overbaking will dry out the cookies, making them hard rather than chewy and soft, which is a defining feature of this Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.
Can I substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for the frosting?
Mascarpone can work as a substitute but note it’s milder and less tangy than cream cheese, so the frosting flavor will be different. The texture will remain creamy and delicious, though.
Is there a way to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just be sure it includes xanthan gum to mimic gluten’s texture for the best results. Baking times and textures may vary, so keep an eye during baking.
Final Thoughts
Making this Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe brings a wonderful mix of comfort and elegance to any dessert table. From the first bite, you’ll appreciate the delightful contrast of soft cookies with the creamy, tangy frosting that makes every moment feel special. Don’t hesitate to whip up a batch soon—your taste buds will thank you
Print
Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sandwiches (24 cookies)
Description
These Sugar Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are delightful soft and chewy cookies baked to golden perfection, then sandwiched together with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for dessert or special occasions, these cookies combine a classic sugar cookie base with a rich, creamy frosting, finished with a sprinkle of sparkling sugar for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 large Egg Yolk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 1/2 cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- Sparkling Sugar, for sprinkling
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup Butter, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) package Cream Cheese, softened
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar for 4 minutes or until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl halfway through mixing.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and continue beating for 1 minute more until fully combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Take care not to overmix to maintain a tender dough.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and develop flavor.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line light-colored baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent burning and ensure even baking.
- Shape Cookies and Bake: Roll chilled dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft and chewy. Immediately sprinkle sparkling sugar on top once removed from oven. Allow cookies to cool completely.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat softened butter and cream cheese together for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste, then beat for an additional 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Sandwich Cookies: Spread a generous amount of frosting on the flat side of one cookie, then top with another cookie flat side down. Press gently until frosting reaches the edges, creating a sandwich.
- Optional Piping Method: For a neat finish, spoon frosting into a piping bag and pipe a swirl on the cookie’s flat side, leaving a border. When topped with the second cookie and pressed gently, the frosting will spread evenly to the edges.
Notes
- Do not overbake the cookies to keep them soft and chewy.
- Chilling the dough is essential for workable and flavorful cookies.
- Use light-colored baking sheets to prevent cookie bottoms from burning.
- For a polished look, use a piping bag to fill the cookies with frosting.
- Store assembled sandwich cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Let frozen cookies thaw and come to room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
