andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

Get ready to brighten up your baking days with these delightful and whimsical andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream! These cookies are everything a celebration treat should be: tender, buttery Funfetti shortbread dotted with rainbow sprinkles, all sandwiched around a cloud-like vanilla buttercream filling. Whether you’re making them for a party, a bake-sale, or just because, every bite bursts with nostalgia and joy. This is the ultimate recipe for anyone who believes that cookies should be as fun to look at as they are to eat—no matter your age!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these cookies is their simplicity—each ingredient has a part to play in creating that colorful, melt-in-your-mouth magic. Make sure to use fresh, quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture in your andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream!

• Unsalted Butter (1 1/2 cups total): Essential for a rich, tender shortbread base and a luxuriously smooth buttercream filling—make sure it’s fully softened for best results.
• Vanilla Extract (3 tbsp total): The star of the show, adding sweet, creamy notes to both the cookie and the buttercream.
• Powdered Sugar (3 – 3 1/2 cups): Delivers that melt-away quality in your frosting and makes for perfectly sweet buttercream.
• Heavy Cream (2 tbsp): Helps the buttercream whip up ultra fluffy and luscious; add a splash more if you like it softer.
• Food Coloring (optional): Give your buttercream a playful pop of color to match your event or mood, or leave it classic white.
• All-purpose Flour (1 1/4 cups): The solid foundation for shortbread, ensuring structure without heaviness.
• Baking Powder (1/4 tsp) & Baking Soda (1/4 tsp): Just a touch keeps your cookies tender with the right lift.
• Cream of Tartar (1/2 tsp): Adds a subtle tang and helps keep the cookies soft.
• Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances out the sweetness and deepens the flavors.
• Sugar (1/2 cup): Gives the shortbread its light sweetness and delicate crispness.
• Egg (1, room temperature): Binds the dough together, making it easy to roll and shape.
• Almond Extract (1 tsp): Adds an extra special, bakery-style fragrance and depth.
• Funfetti Sprinkles (1/2 cup): The magic touch for playful color and festive flair in every bite.

How to Make andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream

Step 1: Make the Vanilla Buttercream

Start by creaming the softened butter in your stand mixer until it’s beautifully light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes should do it. Next, add in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, giving it all a lovely mix. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, half a cup at a time, beating slowly so you don’t get a sugar cloud. Keep mixing and scraping down the sides until you reach a spreadable, fluffy consistency. If it’s too thick, more cream will loosen it; if it’s too thin, just sprinkle in more powdered sugar. Want to have fun? Whip in a drop or two of your favorite food coloring for a custom look!

Step 2: Prepare the Shortbread Cookie Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line those baking sheets with crisp parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt—this dry mix will give your cookies their perfect crumb. In your mixer (no need to wash between steps!), cream the butter and sugar together until light and airy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts, plus the egg, and scrape down the bowl so every bit is combined.

Step 3: Mix, Roll, and Cut the Cookies

Pour in your dry mixture and mix on low until a lovely dough forms that smells like your favorite bakery. Gently fold in the funfetti sprinkles—don’t overmix or they’ll lose their color magic! On a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough to about 1/2 inch thick, then use your favorite cookie cutter shapes. Re-roll and cut until you’ve used up every scrap of dough (waste not, want not—especially with sprinkles involved).

Step 4: Chill, Bake, and Cool

Lay out your cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, about two inches apart. Very important: pop the trays into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This is the secret to keeping those shapes sharp and getting a beautiful, tender bite. After chilling, bake at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes. Watch closely—these are delicate, and you want just a lightly golden edge! Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Assemble the andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream

Once your cookies are 100 percent cool, it’s time for the fun part: sandwiching! Pipe or spread a generous layer of vanilla buttercream on the bottom of one cookie, then gently press a second cookie on top. Continue this playful process until all your cookies become sandwich masterpieces. Store them in an airtight container to keep them pillowy soft and blissfully fresh.

How to Serve andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream

Garnishes

A few extra sprinkles pressed onto the sides of the buttercream adds a burst of color and crunch that takes these andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream to the next level. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of melted white chocolate or even edible glitter will make these cookies sparkle at any celebration.

Side Dishes

Serve your andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream with classic milk or an ice-cold latte for grown-ups. For birthday tables or tea parties, they’re a fabulous companion to bowls of fresh mixed berries, fruity punch, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your sandwich cookies in a colorful tower on a pretty cake stand, or arrange them in treat bags tied with ribbon for easy gifting. They shine as party favors, bake sale showstoppers, or even on a whimsical dessert charcuterie board packed with other cookies and candies.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. Keep them cool and out of direct sunlight to prevent the buttercream from softening too much—if your kitchen is especially warm, pop them in the fridge for extra insurance.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Place assembled sandwich cookies in a single layer on a baking tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep well for up to two months—just let them thaw gently at room temperature, and enjoy them as fresh as the day you made them.

Reheating

No reheating is typically needed, but if you prefer a soft, slightly warm cookie, leave them out for about 20 minutes after freezing. If chilling from the fridge, five to ten minutes on the counter brings the buttercream back to that heavenly, soft consistency.

FAQs

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely! A good hand mixer does the trick for both the shortbread and the buttercream. Just be patient and mix until everything looks light and fluffy for the best andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream results.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Wrap the dough tightly and store it in the fridge for up to two days or freeze it for up to three months. Let it thaw and soften slightly before rolling and cutting.

What other sprinkles work for these cookies?

Any soft jimmies or nonpareils will work, though classic rainbow Funfetti gives that iconic birthday party vibe. Avoid hard sugar pearls or shapes—they can be too crunchy for the delicate cookie sandwich texture.

Can the recipe be doubled?

Go right ahead! Double all ingredients and work in batches if needed. The method stays the same, and you’ll have plenty of andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream for a crowd (trust me: they disappear quickly).

How can I make them dairy-free?

Substitute your favorite plant-based butter and use a dairy-free cream or milk alternative for the buttercream. Choose vegan-friendly sprinkles and you’ve got yourself a fabulous dairy-free treat.

Final Thoughts

There’s magic baked into every bite of these andwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream. They’re playful, utterly delicious, and sure to make any day brighter. Share them with friends, gift them in sweet packages, or keep a stash just for you—they’re impossible not to love. Give this recipe a try and let the colorful crumbs and creamy vanilla filling be your new happy place in the kitchen!

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