Vanilla Sandwich Cookies are crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and bursting with tons of real vanilla flavor ~ this easy cookie recipe is a hit with adults and kids alike.
Holiday cookies can inspire memories for a lifetime
I’m inspired by the memory of a big box of homemade cookies that was delivered to our doorstep every December when I was growing up. My mother’s best friend packed an unbelievable variety of cookies into a huge box, the kind meant for a bathrobe, or a coat. Each treat was nested in it’s own little space and the finished product looked like a tantalizing mosaic of delights. I suppose it’s possible that my memory is embellishing this vision of Christmases past, but in those days women really did have a little more time on their hands to devote to holiday baking, and some of them went all out.
These vanilla cookies have a surprisingly complex flavor
I’m starting off my virtual cookie box with plain vanilla. The cookie itself is flecked with vanilla bean seeds, and the filling has an extra shot of vanilla extract just so you don’t miss the point. I’ve even included a chocolate filling for you types who just can’t help yourself when it comes to chocolate.
Filled cookies are fun, but I wouldn’t normally go to the trouble. But that’s what the holiday baking season is all about, going one or two steps beyond the everyday. And these cookies are worth it. And if chocolate is more your thing, try my Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies or my Nutella Sandwich Cookies.
TIP: These vanilla sandwich cookies are nice and sturdy, so they make a good choice for giving and shipping.
The cookie itself is a little crunchy, a little chewy. The fillings are so much fresher and richer than anything you’d find ready made. Go ahead and fill them as full as you want.
TIP: The filling is infinitely variable, add a teaspoon of instant espresso to the vanilla filling for a delicious coffee flavor. Or add almond extract, or a touch of food coloring. Substitute peppermint extract for the vanilla extract in the chocolate filling. Have fun with them!
Other Christmas treats to check out:
- Pfeffernusse
- Soft Glazed Gingerbread Cookies
- Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies
- Traditional Swedish Pepparkakor
Vanilla on Vanilla Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients
dry ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
wet ingredients
- 3/4 cup 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean
- 2 large eggs
vanilla filling
- 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- milk or cream for thinning
chocolate filling
- 1 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- milk or cream for thinning
Instructions
- set oven to 375F
- In a small bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. Set aside.
- Cream the butter, then beat in the sugar and vanilla bean seeds and beat until creamy.
- Beat in the eggs and blend well. Then add the dry ingredients and mix until just blended.
- Using a small scoop (1 inch) drop the dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet, 3 inches apart (these cookies will spread a bit).
- Bake for about 10 minutes until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Cool on the pan for a couple of minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
- Fill the cooled cookies with the vanilla (or chocolate) filling and sandwich them together, pressing lightly to spread the filling to the edges of the cookie.
- To make the fillings, mix the ingrdients together until smooth and creamy. Add enough milk or cream to get a thick but spreadable consistency.
Notes
Filling variations
- Ready made jam
- Jarred caramel sauce
- Nutella
Hi! Just wondering if chilling the dough after making it would be okay or if it is better to bake it right after making it?
It’s best to use it right away so the cookies will spread properly. If you need to chill it for some reason, you need to take the time to bring it back to room temperature before baking.
Thank you! I won’t make the dough in advance then!
Hi Sue, I made the vanilla sandwich cookie with the vanilla filling as part of a care package for my son. They were delicious! I did have a difficult time getting the cookie shapes to have more of a round shape, like in your photos. Any tips?
Teri
Can you substitute pure vanilla extract for the vanilla bean?
Sure!
Mmmm pinned these for the cookies, I’ve been searching for a yummy cookie with a bit of a crispyness and these are them. So good and the packaging is so cute!
Has anyone ever tried vanilla bean paste in this recipe instead of the scrapings from a vanilla bean and if so how much?
I believe you can use 1 tsp vanilla bean paste for 1 vanilla bean Kyra.