Welcome to our kitchen! Today, we’re diving into an indulgent, crispy, and creamy treat: Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies. If you adore the rich, nutty flavors of baklava and the creamy goodness of sandwich cookies, this recipe will take you to dessert heaven. Let’s get baking!
Introduction
Baklava, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert, is famous for its flaky layers of phyllo dough and sweet nutty filling drenched in honey syrup. In this recipe, we’re putting a playful twist on this classic by turning it into sandwich cookies filled with a luxurious cream cheese filling. The buttery cookie dough is packed with pistachios, walnuts, and warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom—an homage to the traditional flavors of baklava.
Each bite offers a delightful combination of crisp cookie texture, rich creamy filling, and a drizzle of caramel, making these Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies a unique and unforgettable dessert. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or simply craving something special, these cookies will impress.
Ingredients
To prepare these Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies, you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce for drizzling
- Additional chopped pistachios and walnuts for garnish
How to Make Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies
Follow these steps to create your own delicious Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies:
- Preheat Your Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate Honey: Add honey to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped pistachios and walnuts.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into small balls and slightly flatten them with your palm. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Filling: While the cookies are cooling, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Once the cookies are cooled, spread a generous amount of cream cheese filling on the flat side of one cookie, and top with another cookie to form a sandwich.
- Garnish: Drizzle caramel sauce over each sandwich cookie and garnish with additional chopped pistachios and walnuts.
Helpful Tips
- Chill the Dough: If you find your cookie dough is too sticky to work with, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before shaping the cookies. This helps make the dough easier to handle and improves the cookie’s structure.
- Even Cookie Size: Use a small cookie scoop to ensure that each cookie is the same size. This not only makes your cookies look uniform but also ensures even baking.
- Substitutions: You can replace pistachios and walnuts with other nuts like almonds or pecans, depending on your preference.
Cooking Tips
- Cookie Texture: To achieve the perfect balance of crispness and chew, keep an eye on the cookies in the last few minutes of baking. You want the edges to be golden brown while the center remains soft.
- Baking Equipment: Using a silicone baking mat or parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures even heat distribution.
Serving Suggestions
These Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of Turkish coffee or a glass of dessert wine. For a festive touch, serve them on a decorative platter and sprinkle with extra chopped nuts and a light dusting of powdered sugar. These cookies make an excellent addition to holiday cookie trays or a sweet finish to any dinner party.
Nutritional Information
Each Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookie provides a delightful balance of flavor and richness. Here’s a brief overview of the nutritional content.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 95mg
- Potassium: 100mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 16g
- Vitamin A: 4% DV
- Vitamin C: 1% DV
- Calcium: 2% DV
- Iron: 6% DV
This recipe is indulgent, but the nuts offer heart-healthy fats and a boost of protein, while the cinnamon and honey contribute antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Storage and Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This helps maintain their freshness and keeps the cream cheese filling from spoiling.
- Reheat: If you prefer the cookies warm, allow them to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving, or briefly warm them in a low oven.
These cookies taste great even after a couple of days, but if you’re planning to serve them at a later time, consider holding off on assembling the sandwiches until just before serving. This keeps the cookies crisp and the filling fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use a different type of nut in this recipe?
Absolutely! Almonds, pecans, or even hazelnuts would work beautifully in this recipe. Just make sure to chop them finely so they distribute evenly throughout the dough.
2. What can I use instead of cream cheese for the filling?
If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt sweetened with a bit of honey. Mascarpone cheese is also a luxurious alternative for a richer flavor.
3. My cookies spread too much while baking. What did I do wrong?
Over-softened butter or not chilling the dough could be the culprits. If your dough feels too soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before baking.
4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking.
Related Recipes
If you loved this recipe, you might want to try some of our other delicious treats:
These recipes are perfect for quick meals that don’t compromise on flavor.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy making and devouring these Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies as much as we do! They’re a delightful twist on a classic dessert, with layers of flavor and texture that are sure to impress. Don’t forget to share your thoughts, variations, and photos in the comments below—we love seeing your creations! Happy baking!
PrintBaklava Cream Sandwich Cookies – Sweet and Nutty Treats
Description
Welcome to our kitchen! Today, we’re diving into an indulgent, crispy, and creamy treat: Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies. If you adore the rich, nutty flavors of baklava and the creamy goodness of sandwich cookies, this recipe will take you to dessert heaven. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce for drizzling
- Additional chopped pistachios and walnuts for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate Honey: Add honey to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped pistachios and walnuts.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into small balls and slightly flatten them with your palm. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Filling: While the cookies are cooling, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Once the cookies are cooled, spread a generous amount of cream cheese filling on the flat side of one cookie, and top with another cookie to form a sandwich.
- Garnish: Drizzle caramel sauce over each sandwich cookie and garnish with additional chopped pistachios and walnuts.
Equipment
2Pcs Heart Shape Cake Pans, Aluminum Heart Cake Mold, Reusable 10 inch
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Buy Now →Notes
- Chill the Dough: If you find your cookie dough is too sticky to work with, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before shaping the cookies. This helps make the dough easier to handle and improves the cookie’s structure.
- Even Cookie Size: Use a small cookie scoop to ensure that each cookie is the same size. This not only makes your cookies look uniform but also ensures even baking.
- Substitutions: You can replace pistachios and walnuts with other nuts like almonds or pecans, depending on your preference.