Striped Fudge Cookie Sandwiches

Step 1

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and beat on medium-high speed until creamed, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. If the dough seems too soft, you can add 1 Tablespoon flour until to make it a better consistency for rolling.

Step 3

Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Roll each portion out onto a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone baking mat (I prefer a nonstick silicone mat) to about 1/4 inch thickness. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it is evenly 1/4 inch thick.

Step 4

Stack the 2 slabs of dough, with a piece of parchment paper between them, on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (and up to 2 days). If chilling for more than 2 hours, cover the top slab of dough with a single piece of parchment paper.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 6

Remove one of the slabs of dough from the refrigerator and, using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut into circles. Reroll the remaining slab and continue cutting until all is used. Repeat with second slab of dough. You should have about 64 circles. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut a hole into the center of 32 of them. Let’s call these 32 cookies the “donut cookies” because of that center hole. Place the whole circles and the donut cookies on separate baking sheets (because the donut cookies take 1 less minute to bake), placing all cookies 2 inches apart from one another.

Step 7

Bake the whole circles for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges, and the donut cookies for about 9 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through bake time. Remove from the oven. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling.

Step 8

Place 3 ounces of chopped chocolate for the ganache into a small heatproof bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once cream begins to boil, immediately remove from heat and pour over the chocolate. Stir gently and slowly until the ganache is smooth. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes before adding to cookies. During this time, it will slowly thicken.

Step 9

Once the ganache is ready, spread about 1/2 teaspoon on each whole circle. Carefully top each with a donut cookie and press down gently to create a cookie sandwich.

Step 10

Melt the remaining chopped chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave in 15-second increments, stopping and stirring after each until completely smooth. Drizzle over each sandwich. Allow chocolate to set completely, about 30 minutes.

Step 11

Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.