Caramel Sandwich Cookies Recipes

CARAMEL COOKIE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the shortbread cookies: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, baking soda and fine salt to combine; set aside.
• Put the butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed, until the ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the brandy, vanilla and egg yolks and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds.
• On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until the flour is fully incorporated. Mix for about 1 minute.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and place them onto 2 separate pieces of plastic wrap. Shape each piece into a smooth disk and wrap tightly. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour.
• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Unwrap one piece of dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. With a 2-inch round cutter (plain or fluted), cut out about 20 circles and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Bake on the middle rack, in 2 batches if necessary, until golden brownish on top, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes. Repeat the rolling, cutting and baking process with the second dough piece, for an additional 20 cookies. Reroll the scraps once, cutting out 12 more circles, and bake.
• For the Mexican cajeta: Stir together the milk and sugar in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the vanilla extract, salt and vanilla bean pods and seeds if using. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat while constantly stirring, 6 to 8 minutes.
• When the milk comes to a boil, remove from the heat and add the baking soda. The milk will become frothy and rise. Keep stirring the mixture. Put the pot back on the stove over medium heat. Cook at a low simmer, stirring frequently to make sure that the sauce does not stick to bottom of the pan. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a low simmer. After 15 minutes, the mixture will be light golden brown. Remove the vanilla pods if using and continue cooking until the mixture is a rich brown and reduced to about 1 1/2 cups (it will resemble a thick caramel sauce at this point), about 30 additional minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• After the cookies and cajeta have cooled, flip half of the cookies upside down and gently spread about 2 teaspoons of the cajeta on each one (if the cajeta is too thick to spread easily after cooling, microwave it briefly to warm it up and loosen it enough to spread). Place another cookie bottom-side down on top of the cajeta on each and press to create a sandwich. Dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!

CARAMEL CREAM SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• COOKIES: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
• Add the egg yolk; blend well.
• Add the flour; mix well.
• If necessary, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill about 15 minutes for easier handling.
• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Shape dough into 1" balls; place 2" apart on ungreased or parchment-lined cookie sheets.
• With a fork dipped in flour, flatten each cookie in one direction to a 1 1/2" round.
• Bake for 10-14 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Cool for 1 minute on the sheets; transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the FROSTING: In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until light golden brown, stirring constantly.
• Remove pan from heat; stir in the remaining frosting ingredients, adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency; blend until smooth.
• Spread a scant 1 tsp frosting between 2 cooled cookies, flat sides inward.
• Store in the refrigerator.

CARAMEL CREME SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Cream 1 cup butter, then slowly add brown sugar and cream well.
• Blend in egg yolk, then stir in flour.
• Continue stirring until a ball of dough forms.
• Chill dough for easier handling.
• Shape dough into balls the size of large marbles.
• Flatten each ball of dough to about 1/8" thickness using palm of hand.
• Mark each cookie by pressing with a fork.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
• While cookies are baking, slightly brown 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan.
• Remove saucepan from heat and blend in powdered sugar.
• Gradually add vanilla and evaporated milk, stirring until a spreading consistency is achieved.
• Spread filling on one cookie, then top with a second cookie.
• Pour a tall glass of cold milk and enjoy the cookies.

TRADITIONAL ALFAJORES - CARAMEL SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and mix briefly.
• Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture, blending with your fingers until the mixture is smooth.
• Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and Pisco, and mix with your hands until the dough is homogeneous and smooth (add a little extra Pisco if dough is too crumbly to form a ball).
• Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Roll out dough to 3/8" thickness, and cut into 2 inch circles.
• Place cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• .Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes, until they are barely golden brown. Let cookies cook 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.
• To fill the cookies, spread one cookie with dulce de leche and top with second cookie. Roll the edges in the coconut.
• Store in an airtight container.