Name: Baklava Delight Cream Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients: 1.5 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie dough, giving it structure and stability.; 0.5 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to the desired texture.; 0.5 cups unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture, making the cookies tender.; 0.25 cups honey: A nod to the sweetness of traditional baklava, adding a distinct floral flavor.; 0.25 cups chopped pistachios: Provides a delightful crunch and unique flavor associated with Middle Eastern sweets.; 0.25 cups chopped walnuts: Enhances the nutty flavor profile while adding depth to the filling.; 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon: Contributes warmth and spice, reminiscent of traditional baklava flavors.; 0.25 tsp ground cardamom: Adds an exotic, aromatic essence to enhance the overall taste.; 0.25 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and elevates the flavors in the cookie dough.; 0.25 cups cream cheese (softened): Forms the luscious filling that binds the two cookies together.; 0.25 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling, contributing to its smooth texture.; Caramel sauce for drizzling: Offers added richness and sweetness, making the cookies visually appealing and indulgent.; More chopped nuts for garnish: Enhances presentation and ties back to the nutty flavors within.

Description

Enjoy Baklava Delight Cream Sandwich Cookies—flaky, sweet, and creamy with the rich, irresistible flavors of baklava in each bite.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie dough, giving it structure and stability.
0.5 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to the desired texture.
0.5 cups unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture, making the cookies tender.
0.25 cups honey: A nod to the sweetness of traditional baklava, adding a distinct floral flavor.
0.25 cups chopped pistachios: Provides a delightful crunch and unique flavor associated with Middle Eastern sweets.
0.25 cups chopped walnuts: Enhances the nutty flavor profile while adding depth to the filling.
0.5 tsp ground cinnamon: Contributes warmth and spice, reminiscent of traditional baklava flavors.
0.25 tsp ground cardamom: Adds an exotic, aromatic essence to enhance the overall taste.
0.25 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and elevates the flavors in the cookie dough.
0.25 cups cream cheese (softened): Forms the luscious filling that binds the two cookies together.
0.25 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling, contributing to its smooth texture.
Caramel sauce for drizzling: Offers added richness and sweetness, making the cookies visually appealing and indulgent.
More chopped nuts for garnish: Enhances presentation and ties back to the nutty flavors within.

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Mix the base: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 0.5 cups softened unsalted butter and 0.5 cups granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This should take about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Gradually blend in 0.25 cups honey until combined.
Prepare the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon, 0.25 tsp ground cardamom, and 0.25 tsp salt. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Combine mixtures: Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. Gently fold in 0.25 cups chopped pistachios and 0.25 cups chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
Shape the cookies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, shape the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and slightly flatten them. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie as they will spread while baking.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until they are golden brown around the edges. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake, as you want them soft and chewy in the center.
Prepare the filling: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the cream cheese filling by beating together 0.25 cups softened cream cheese and 0.25 cups powdered sugar in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a generous amount of the cream cheese filling between two cookies to create a sandwich. Repeat the process until all cookies are paired.
Drizzle and garnish: Finally, drizzle caramel sauce over the assembled cookies and sprinkle with additional chopped nuts for garnish. This not only enhances their flavor but also adds a beautiful presentation.