Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (Printable)

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

# What You'll 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 and no dry streaks remain.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut rounds with 2-inch cookie cutter and place 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
08 - Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges begin turning golden. Cool on sheets 2 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
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 buttercream onto flat side of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies to create sandwiches.
12 - Allow assembled cookies to set for 20 minutes at room temperature before serving.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • The buttercream colors can be mixed and matched for any occasion or holiday
  • These cookies look impressive but are surprisingly forgiving to make
02 -
  • Chilling the dough is not optional because it prevents the cookies from spreading too thin
  • Room temperature ingredients blend together seamlessly while cold ingredients create stubborn lumps
03 -
  • Rolling the edges of assembled sandwiches in sprinkles adds an instant festive touch
  • Use a small offset spatula to spread filling right to the edges for maximum buttercream in every bite

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