Sunday, March 30, 2014

Neopolitan Sandwich Cookies

I believe Neopolitan ice cream was invented for those of us you can't really choose between their favorites--Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry!
photo borrowed from the internet 
However, to be exact, in the late 19th century, these were the top three flavors of ice cream in the United States. This combination is thought to have come from Neopolitan immigrants, who brought with them their expertise in frozen desserts and molding three flavors together--Spumoni which was introduced in the 1870s, resembled the Italian flag.  Well, it was the inspiration of the cookies I made today to celebrate team work...among people and flavors!

Neopolitan Sandwich Cookies
Vanilla Dough:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 extra-large egg
2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt

Chocolate Dough:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 extra-large egg
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa
1 1/2 cups + 1T King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt

Strawberry Filling:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)
2 T strawberry jam
1/2 tsp. Strawberry Flavoring
1-2 tsp. heavy whipping cream

Mix up the Vanilla Dough first (then you won't have to wash the bowl). In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together.  Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again on medium speed.  Scrape sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessarily.  Add the dry ingredients and beat on low to completely combine.

The dough needs to chill and I was given a tip from a friend who makes a lot of sugar cookies, except instead of putting the dough in a gallon-sized freezer bag and rolling it flat to the 1/4-inch, I use my pie crust bag with a zipper. 

This dough needs to chill and having it already in a "rolled-out" form will give you those perfect edges on your cookies; the dough softens from the heat of the rolling pin if you just store it in a ball.  However, more importantly, I don't need to add any extra flour to roll out the dough and trust me, the cookies are tender and not hard or overworked!

Make up the Chocolate Dough the same way and roll it in the freezer bag or pie crust bag to 1/4-inch, just like the Vanilla Dough.
Chill 30 to 40 minutes.  Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Remove one of the bags and unzip (or cut) to open it up.  I used a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, then transferred the cut out rounds to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes; edges and bottoms are just lightly golden.  Let rest for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.  Cookies need to cool completely before filling.  Recipe makes approximately 3 dozen sandwich cookies.

After the cookies are baked, mix up the filling in a stand mixer using the whisk attachment.  Spread about 1 1/2 tsp. of filling on the underside of the Vanilla cookie and top with a Chocolate one.
These are perfect little bite-sized cookies that will thrill your family--who doesn't like Vanilla~Chocolate~Strawberry? Enjoy!

12 comments:

  1. I need a dozen of these sandwich cookies, Susan. They look fantastic!

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  2. Oh, my, goodness...I'm having my 3rd cup of coffee for this morning and these would make it all better! I LOVE this idea of the 2 different cookies and I'm a huge fan of strawberry filling. So cute! Nicely done, my dear friend! lv, me :)

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  3. I've never seen a pie crust bag, Susan. You have the most exotic gagets. Your cookies look wonderful and a great theme to boot. xoxo ♥

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  4. These certainly make a yummy snack!

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  5. I thought it such a cool idea to use a pie crust bag to roll out cookies that I ordered 4 from KAF! Thanks for the tip! Love the cookies! Hugs

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  6. Those look so pretty and I am sure that they are delicious.

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  7. I like to mix different flavors in fact when I have cereal I do at least three together. this sounds like a cookie I would like even with the chocolate layer.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  8. How clever is that ?!? These are just the coolest take on sandwich cookies !!!

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  9. You just never cease to amaze me with you baking! I would love to perch on a stool and watch you in your kitchen!
    hugs, Linda

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  10. You are amazing! Where do you get these ideas?

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    Replies
    1. It's my curse...my brain is constantly thinking, "what if!"

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  11. I love these cookies and can't wait to make some! You're a genius, Susan!

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