Butterscotch and Vanilla Creme Cookies

Shauna Sever (author of Pure Vanilla) says "sandwich cookies are a delicious, totally acceptable way to eat two cookies at once." and I couldn't have said it better myself.  I can't get enough of these cookies.  Shortbread cookies fusing together Butterscotch ganache and vanilla buttercream are hard to pass up.  Believe me, I've tried.  The cookies are buttery and they melt in your mouth.  The butterscotch ganache and vanilla buttercream add richness and creaminess to the cookie that keep you wanting more.
And the cookies are so versatile.  I already have plans to switch up the fillings to make different varieties like chocolate and vanilla tuxedo or strawberries and cream!  What kind of fillings do you think would be great for a cookie like this?

Butterscotch and Vanilla Creme Cookies

For the Coookies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1.4 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 egg plus 1 egg yolk

For the butterscotch ganache filling

8 ounces butterscotch chips

1/2 cup whipping cream

For the vanilla creme filling (Basic Swiss Meringue Buttercream)

75 g  (1/4 cup + 1 tbsp) Egg Whites

150 g  (3/4 cup)  Sugar

33 g  (2 tbsp + 2 1/4 tsp) Sugar

42 g  (3 tbsp + 1 tsp) Water

227 g  (8 ounces) Unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces, at room, temperature 

2 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions

For the cookies

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking soda.  Set aside.

In the bowl of stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed,  until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.    Beat in egg and vanilla until well blended, then add egg yolk.  Reduce mixer speed to low and mix in flour mixture until just combined.  

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide in half.  Shape each half into a log about 8 inches long and  1 and 1/2 inches in diameter.  Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2-3 hours.  *At this time you can make the fillings

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat.

Slice dough into rounds no more than 1/4 inch thick and place rounds about 1 inch apart on baking sheet.  Bake until cookies are firm at the edges and just beginning to turn lightly golden, 15-17 minutes.  Let cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.  

For the ganache

Combine butterscotch chips and cream in a heatproof bowl.  Melt chocolate in the microwave with 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until the mixture is smooth.  Whisk for 3-5 minutes, to help thicken the ganache.  Let sit at room temperature to thicken for 2-3 hours.  

For the vanilla creme

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Do not turn mixer on yet.

Place the 150 grams of sugar in a small saucepan and add the water, stirring until moistened.  Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally and simmer until the syrup reaches 230 degrees F.

Letting the syrup continue to cook, turn the mixer to medium speed, gradually pour the remaining 33 grams of sugar into the whites, and whip until the whites are beginning to form very loose peaks.  If the whites are ready before the syrup reaches 248 degrees F, turn the mixer to the lowest setting just to keep the moving.

When the syrup reaches 248 degrees F, remove the pan from the heat.  Turn the mixer to medium-low and slowly add the syrup to the whites, pouring in between the side of the bowl and the whisk.  Increase the speed to medium-high and whisk for 15 minutes, or until the bottom of the bowl is at room temperature and the whites hold a stiff peak.

Reduce the speed to medium and add the butter, a few pieces at a time.  Add vanilla.    If at any time the mixture looks "broken" or curdled, increase the speed and beat to re-emulsify it, then reduce the speed and continue adding the butter.  If the butter is too loose to hold its shape, it can be refrigerated for up to a few hours to harden, then beaten again to return to its proper consistency. 

 **  The buttercream can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen up to 1 month.  If you make this ahead of time, bring the buttercream to room temperature in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Then beat on low to return the buttercream to the proper consistency for piping or spreading.

To Assemble:

Spread about 2 tsp (or more) of the butterscotch ganache on the bottom of one cookie.  Top the ganache with 2 tsp (or more) of the vanilla creme. Top with a second cookie and press gently to adhere.

Recipe adapted from Pure Vanilla