Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches are a fun and colorful treat that’s perfect for any celebration or just a sweet snack. These little sandwiches feature soft, buttery sugar cookies in pretty pastel shades, with a creamy filling tucked right in between. They’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat, with a perfect balance of soft cookie and smooth frosting.
I love making these because they’re simple to put together but always impress everyone who tries them. The pastel colors give them a cheerful, springtime vibe that brightens up any table. I usually enjoy making the cookies a day ahead to let them soften just a bit, which makes the sandwich even better when the creamy filling gets cozy inside.
One of my favorite ways to serve these is chilled, straight from the fridge, especially on a warm day. They’re great for sharing at parties, gift-giving, or just keeping in the kitchen for a quick, sweet bite. I always find that making a batch of these brings smiles all around—there’s something about pastel sugar cookie sandwiches that feels happy and special every time.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter helps control saltiness. Make sure it’s softened—not melted—for easier creaming with sugar, which gives the cookies their light texture.
Flour: All-purpose flour is standard here. If you want softer cookies, try cake flour, but keep an eye on dough texture.
Sugar: Granulated sugar creates a nice crunch in cookies, while powdered sugar in frosting keeps it smooth and creamy. For frosting sweetness control, you can reduce powdered sugar slightly, but add more milk to keep consistency.
Egg: One egg adds moisture and helps bind the dough, making the cookies tender. No good substitute here for texture, but for allergies, try a flax egg.
Vanilla Extract: Offers warm aroma and flavor. If unavailable, almond extract can work but use less as it’s stronger.
Food Coloring: Pastel colors make these festive. Gel food coloring is best because it won’t thin cookie dough or frosting like liquid ones.
How Do You Get Perfectly Soft But Firm Sugar Cookies?
Getting your sugar cookies soft yet sturdy enough for sandwiching can be tricky. Here’s how to nail it:
- Chill your dough: Cooling the dough firms it up and prevents spreading, keeping cookie edges clean.
- Don’t overbake: Cookies should look set and dry on top but not brown. Pull them out at 8-10 minutes depending on your oven.
- Roll evenly: Keep dough about ¼ inch thick for soft, tender cookies.
- Measure your flour carefully: Too much flour can make cookies dense; fluff and spoon flour into your cup instead of scooping.
Following these steps gives cookies a soft bite that holds their shape well when filled, so your sandwich stays perfect!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – I like using large bowls for creaming butter and sugar; they give plenty of room to mix comfortably.
- Electric hand or stand mixer – makes creaming the butter and sugar a breeze and saves effort.
- Measuring cups and spoons – helps you add the exact amount of ingredients like flour, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Rolling pin – ensures your dough is rolled out evenly for consistent cookies.
- Round cookie cutter (about 2-3 inches) – creates cute, uniform cookies for the sandwiches.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – keeps cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Baking sheet – a sturdy, flat sheet for baking cookies evenly.
- Cooling rack – helps cookies cool quickly so you can assemble sandwiches sooner.
- Mixing bowls or piping bags – for making and coloring the buttercream frosting easily.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Chocolate Chips: Stir in mini chocolate chips for a sweet surprise inside each bite.
- Different Extracts: Try almond or lemon extract in the frosting for a fresh flavor twist.
- Fruit Add-ins: Fold in dried cranberries or chopped candied ginger for extra texture and flavor.
- Colored Sugar or Sprinkles: Roll the edges of cookies in colored sugar or sprinkle on the frosting for a fun decorative touch.
Pastel Sugar Cookie Sandwiches
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pastel food coloring (pink, purple, blue, yellow, green, or colors of choice)
For the Filling (Buttercream Frosting):
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: pastel food coloring for varied filling colors
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare the dough and frosting, plus 1 hour to chill the dough. Baking the cookies usually takes 8-10 minutes per batch. Cooling and assembling the sandwiches may take an additional 15-20 minutes. Overall, expect about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough:
First, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with a mixer until light and fluffy—this takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ones, mixing until a soft dough forms.
2. Color and Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough evenly based on how many colors you want for your cookies. Add a few drops of pastel food coloring to each piece and gently knead until the color is spread evenly. Flatten the dough portions into disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until firm. This step helps keep your cookies from spreading too much when baked.
3. Shape and Bake Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll each colored dough portion on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (2 to 3 inches wide) to cut cookies. Place them spaced about an inch apart on the baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops look dry but not browned. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Buttercream Frosting:
Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream. Adjust the frosting’s thickness by adding more milk to thin it or more powdered sugar to thicken. If you like, tint portions of the frosting with pastel food coloring for a colorful filling.
5. Assemble the Cookie Sandwiches:
Match cookies of similar sizes and colors. Spread or pipe a generous layer of buttercream onto the flat side of one cookie. Carefully top it with the matching cookie and gently press them together to make a sandwich. Repeat this with the rest of the cookies and frosting.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Arrange your pastel sugar cookie sandwiches on a plate. For a festive look, sprinkle colorful sprinkles on top or around the plate. Store any leftover sandwiches in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to keep them fresh a bit longer.
Can I Use Frozen Dough for This Recipe?
Yes! You can freeze the colored dough disks wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. When ready to bake, thaw them overnight in the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling out.
How Do I Store the Cookie Sandwiches?
Store assembled cookie sandwiches in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week, but bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Can I Substitute the Butter in the Frosting?
Unsalted butter is best for a creamy texture and mild flavor in this buttercream. If you need a substitute, use a high-quality margarine or shortening, but note the taste and texture may vary slightly.
What If I Don’t Have Pastel Food Coloring?
You can lighten regular food coloring by mixing it with a little white frosting or add just a drop or two to the dough for softer colors. Alternatively, use natural colorings like beet juice or matcha powder for subtle pastel hues.
