Raspberry Cream Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups (159 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, (at cool room temperature)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons (125 grams) granulated sugar, (plus 2 tablespoons (25 grams) for rolling)
• 1 large egg, (at cool room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup (15 grams) freeze-dried raspberries*
• 6 ounces (171 grams) white baking chocolate, (coarsely chopped)
• 1/4 cup + 1 ½ teaspoons (67 grams) heavy cream, (cold)
• 3-4 whole freeze-dried raspberries (crushed, optional)
• 2 ounces (57 grams) white chocolate (melted, optional)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to combine.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, use an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Slowly beat in the flour mixture.

4. 4

   Place the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a shallow dish. Using a small (1-tablespoon-sized) spring-loaded scoop, divide the dough into balls, then roll in sugar to coat evenly. Place onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with the bottom of your palm.

5. 5

   Bake for about 9-10 minutes, or until the cookies set and just begin to brown at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. 6

   Grind the freeze-dried raspberries into a fine powder (a coffee grinder works perfectly here, or you can place in a ziptop bag and crush with a heavy object, such as a mallet). Sift the powder twice to remove any seeds—sifting once won’t be enough.

7. 7

   Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over medium-low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second increments, stirring between each round, until smooth.

8. 8

   Remove from heat and whisk the heavy cream into the melted white chocolate until fully combined. Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the raspberry powder. Let cool to room temperature.

9. 9

   Spread 1 heaping teaspoon of cooled filling on the bottom of half the cookies. Top each with the remaining cookies to sandwich.

10. 10

    Fill a small piping bag or zip-top bag with melted white chocolate and snip a very small opening at the tip. Drizzle chocolate over the tops of each sandwich, then lightly sprinkle with crushed raspberries.