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A mouthwatering Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookie twist that takes classic Middle Eastern tastes and turns them into fancy cookie sandwiches. Every bite brings together spiced, nutty cookie bases with smooth cream cheese filling and sweet caramel on top, making the perfect mix of crunchy and creamy in each mouthful.
I came up with these cookies when I wanted to create an easier version of baklava that still kept all those amazing flavors people can't get enough of.
Key Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives cookies their shape
- Unsalted Butter: Softened
- Fresh Pistachios: Finely diced
- Chopped Walnuts: Adds nice crunch
- Ground Cinnamon: Provides cozy flavor
- Ground Cardamom: Adds complexity
- Cream Cheese: Softened
- Pure Honey: Brings natural sweetness
- Caramel Sauce: For topping
- Powdered Sugar: For the creamy center
Making Your Cookies
- Getting Ready:
- Turn oven to 350°F. Put parchment on your cookie sheets. Make sure butter and cream cheese aren't cold. Chop nuts into tiny pieces so they mix well.
- Making Dough:
- Beat butter and sugar together till fluffy and light, around 3 minutes. Add honey and mix. In another bowl, mix dry stuff, then slowly add it to your butter mix. Gently stir in your chopped nuts.
- Cookie Shapes:
- Form small dough balls and press them down slightly. Put them on your lined sheets. If the dough feels too sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes first.
- Baking Time:
- Cook for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden but centers stay a bit soft. Let them cool completely on a rack.
- Putting Together:
- Mix cream cheese with powdered sugar until it's smooth. Spread some on the bottom of one cookie, then top with another cookie. Add caramel drizzle and sprinkle extra nuts on top.
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The real trick is getting the cookie texture just right. My baking teacher always told me, "You want cookies that are both crisp and soft at the same time."
Keeping Them Fresh
Keep your finished cookie sandwiches in a sealed container in the fridge for about 5 days. For the crunchiest results, store plain cookies at room temp and only add filling when you're ready to eat them. You can make the cookies weeks ahead and freeze them without filling for up to 3 months - just wrap them well and use a freezer container.
Serving Ideas
These cookies taste great slightly cool or at room temperature. When you have guests, arrange them on a pretty stand with extra nuts and caramel on top. They go perfectly with Turkish coffee or mint tea. During holiday season, pack them in pretty boxes as gifts for friends and family.
Try These Twists
Mix up this recipe by swapping in different nuts like almonds or pecans. Play around with spices by adding a pinch of allspice or nutmeg. For fancy parties, try dipping half of each sandwich in melted chocolate before adding caramel. While you can change things up, the classic mix of pistachios, walnuts, and warm spices really captures that authentic baklava taste that makes these cookies so special.
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Wrapping Up
These Baklava Cream Sandwich Cookies blend old-world Middle Eastern flavors with new-school cookie crafting. They show how rethinking classic desserts can lead to amazing new treats. Though they look fancy, they're really not hard to make and will probably become one of your go-to sweet recipes.
Getting these cookies right comes down to good ingredients and taking your time. Don't rush things - chill the dough if needed, wait for cookies to cool completely, and be patient during assembly. You'll end up with gorgeous, tasty cookies that pack all the yummy flavors of baklava into a cute little sandwich form.
Baking is part science, part art. Once you get comfortable with this recipe, play around with different nuts or spice combos. No matter how you tweak it, these cookies will make any occasion feel extra special.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap out the nuts?
- Sure, try almonds or pecans if you prefer - they'll work just as well.
- → Is making them early OK?
- Definitely, but keep the cookies and filling separate until you're ready to serve.
- → What's cardamom doing here?
- It gives that authentic Middle Eastern taste you'd find in the original dessert.
- → Is the caramel necessary?
- Not at all, they taste great even without that sweet drizzle on top.
- → How long do they keep?
- Pop them in the fridge once they're put together and eat within 3 days.