Description
Experience a heavenly blend of traditional Middle Eastern flavors with these Irresistibly Indulgent Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies. Featuring a spiced nutty cookie base, luscious cream cheese filling, and a decadent caramel and nut topping, these cookies deliver a perfect balance of crunch, creaminess, and sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option)
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- ¼ cup Honey
- ½ cup Chopped Pistachios (or almonds/pecans)
- ½ cup Chopped Walnuts
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
For the Cream Filling
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (can substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
For the Topping
- ¼ cup Caramel Sauce
- ½ cup Additional Chopped Nuts
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This aeration creates a tender cookie texture.
- Add Honey: Pour in the honey and mix thoroughly until it blends well with the butter-sugar mixture, adding a natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and salt. This ensures spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently to avoid overworking the dough. Incorporate the chopped pistachios and walnuts evenly for texture and nutty flavor.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each ball to help them bake evenly into cookie shapes.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
- Prepare Filling: Beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, creating a luscious filling for the sandwiches.
- Assemble Cookies: Spread a generous amount of cream filling on the underside of one cookie, then top with another cookie to create a sandwich.
- Add Toppings: Drizzle caramel sauce over the assembled cookies and sprinkle with additional chopped nuts for a beautiful and flavorful finish.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with your preferred gluten-free baking flour.
- Using softened butter is key to achieving a smooth dough and tender cookies.
- Chilling the dough for 20 minutes before baking can help maintain cookie shape and improve texture.
- The cream cheese can be substituted with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier filling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.