Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Printable)

Delicate sugar cookies with colorful pastel buttercream filling, ideal for spring gatherings and afternoon tea.

# What You 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 Make It:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
03 - Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, 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 dough disc to ¼ inch thickness. Cut rounds with a 2-inch cookie cutter and place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges just begin to turn golden. Cool on sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt, beating until smooth and fluffy.
10 - Divide buttercream into small bowls and tint each portion with 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 assembled cookies to set for 20 minutes before serving to ensure filling holds properly.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The buttercream stays soft for days, so these taste freshly made even when prepared ahead
  • You can customize the pastel colors for any occasion or holiday
  • The delicate vanilla cookie pairs perfectly with the sweet, creamy filling
02 -
  • Chilling the dough is not optional or the cookies will spread too thin while baking
  • Gel food coloring is superior to liquid because it wont thin your buttercream
  • These cookies continue to firm as they cool, so remove them from the oven while centers still look slightly soft
03 -
  • Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking for even browning
  • Use a cookie scoop to portion the buttercream for identically sized sandwiches
  • If your kitchen is warm, chill the assembled cookies for 10 minutes before serving

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