Christmas Cookie Recipe - Browned Buttercream Sandwitch Cookies

Browned Buttercream Sandwich Cookies
A browned butter filling gives a wonderful flavor to these slice and bake pecan cookies.

Makes : 3 1/2 dozen sandwich cookies

Cookie Ingredients :
1 cup Butter, softened
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients :
1/4 cup Butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons half & half*

Directions :
1.     Combine 1 cup butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl.
2.     Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.
3.     Add egg yolks and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed.
4.     Add flour, pecans and salt. Reduce speed to low;
5.     Beat until dough forms a ball.
6.     Divide dough in half; shape each half into 10-inch long roll
        (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter).
7.     Wrap each roll tightly in plastic food wrap.
8.     Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
9.     Heat oven to 350°F. Unwrap dough;
10.   Cut each roll with sharp knife into 1/8-inch slices;
11.   Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
12.   Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
13.   Let stand 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.
14.   Meanwhile, melt 1/4 cup butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat,
        stirring occasionally, until butter just starts to brown (5 to 6 minutes).
        (Butter will bubble and foam. WATCH CLOSELY.)
15.    Immediately remove from heat. Cool 5 minutes.
16.   Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla and enough half & half for
        desired spreading consistency.
17.   Spread 1 level teaspoonful filling on flat-side of 1 cookie;
18.   Top with second cookie, flat-side down. Squeeze together gently.
19.   Repeat with remaining cookies.

*Substitute whipping cream.

TIP : If dough is too crumbly to easily form a log, add 1 tablespoon of very soft butter. Continue beating until dough forms a ball (2 to 3 minutes).

TIP : Rather than making sandwich cookies simply frost each cookie with about 1/2 teaspoonful filling mixture.

Nutrition Facts (1 sandwich cookie):
Calories: 120
Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg
Sodium: 70 mg
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 1 g

Recipe Courtesy : Land O Lakes.