Classic Jewish Bakery-Style Butter Sandwich Cookies: A Nostalgic Recipe for Ultimate Indulgence
Lately, I’ve found myself overwhelmingly craving cookies. It’s a delightful dilemma, especially when trying to maintain a balanced lifestyle. As many of you who follow me on Instagram (and if you aren’t, you should be!) might have noticed from my rather sweaty stories, I’ve committed to a new fitness regimen, working out three times a week. Believe me, this is a significant change for me! I’ve never been one for structured exercise, but I’m truly embracing it and feeling fantastic about the progress. However, this newfound dedication to health doesn’t diminish my deep-seated love for a good cookie, nor does it curb my children’s enthusiasm for sweet treats.
So, a few weeks ago, the irresistible urge struck: I absolutely HAD to bake cookies. But I wasn’t in the mood for the usual suspects. Classic chocolate chip cookies, while undeniably delicious, felt too commonplace; everyone’s made them, and I wanted something a little different. On the other hand, I also wanted to steer clear of the intense pressure to invent some wildly unique, avant-garde creation—no matcha-infused, hibiscus, honey, elderflower, or Himalayan salted caramel stuffed cookies this time around. My goal was something that struck a perfect balance: a cookie that felt both timelessly classic and wonderfully fun, bringing a smile with every bite.
Rediscovering a Beloved Childhood Bakery Treat
My mind wandered back to childhood, prompting me to reflect on my favorite treats from those carefree days. Instantly, a vivid memory surfaced: the joy of receiving a fresh, assorted box of cookies from the local Jewish bakery that my grandparents frequented. You know the kind I’m talking about—that iconic white box, meticulously tied with a red and white string in that distinctive criss-cross pattern. The anticipation would build as I’d sit there, completely absorbed, tugging at each end of the string, trying to figure out which side would loosen first. It never occurred to me to simply grab a pair of scissors! Finally, one side would grudgingly shimmy down, freeing itself over the box’s edge, signaling that I was just one more maneuver away from those coveted cookies. Lifting the lid to that bakery box was always the pinnacle of excitement. All the anticipation, building from my “hard work” and effort to open it (oh, the simplicity of a scissor!), was about to be gloriously rewarded.
Inside, it was a treasure trove of delights: vibrant sprinkle cookies, delicate crispy shortbreads, and, of course, those delightful sandwich jam cookies (ah, the famous Linzer tarts!). But without a doubt, my absolute favorites then, and still now, were the long butter sandwich cookies. These weren’t just any cookies; they were the ultimate all-in-one bakery experience. Each cookie was generously filled with a sweet, fruity jam, then expertly dunked halfway into rich, melted dark chocolate, and finally, rolled in an abundance of colorful sprinkles. Why settle for cookies that offer these incredible components separately when you can have an entire symphony of flavors and textures in one perfect bite? The satisfying crunch of the sprinkles, the smooth, luxurious melted dark chocolate, the tender, buttery crispness of the cookie itself, and then that burst of delicious sweetness from the jelly—it was, and remains, a pure taste bud sensation. I simply cannot resist them, and I’m confident you won’t be able to either.
The Quest for the Perfect Butter Cookie Recipe
Once I realized (and confirmed with an Instagram poll, because collective wisdom is key!) that I was determined to recreate this cherished childhood favorite, I embarked on a mission. I scoured countless food blogs, flipped through my extensive collection of baking cookbooks, and even consulted my culinary school texts, hoping to find a recipe that resembled the butter sandwich cookies I vividly remembered. To my growing disappointment, I found absolutely nothing that quite matched my memory. How do you even search for something when you don’t know its precise name? “Old school Jewish sandwich cookies”? “Bakery butter cookies with jam”? Whatever terms I tried, the results were frustratingly off the mark. I turned to Pinterest, typing in “butter cookies” for general inspiration. Still no luck. Then, I refined my search to “butter cookies Jewish.” I scrolled and scrolled, page after page. Nothing. Absolute nothing that resonated with my specific craving, and I began to feel genuinely disheartened by my fruitless search.
Just as I was about to give up, THEN I SAW THEM! A gorgeous, mouth-watering picture of the exact cookies I had been dreaming of! My heart leaped with recognition and relief. I quickly checked the source and immediately knew I had hit the jackpot. It was none other than Deb Perelman, the brilliant mind behind Smitten Kitchen – an absolute pioneer and one of the original, most respected food bloggers in this vast online culinary world. And to my immense fortune, she had JUST released a new cookbook featuring a recipe for these bad boys! Ahh, Deb to the rescue! The sense of relief was incredible. Thank you, Deb, for bringing these nostalgic treasures back into my life when I didn’t even know where to begin my search. Her meticulous approach and reliable recipes are legendary, and I knew I was in good hands, ensuring a truly authentic and delicious outcome.
Embracing Excellence: Why a Tried-and-True Recipe is Perfect
Now, you might be wondering why I’m featuring someone else’s recipe on my own blog. It’s a valid question, and the answer is quite simple and, I believe, profoundly important in the world of cooking and baking. I readily admit that I don’t possess all the culinary knowledge in the world. When I discover that someone I deeply admire and respect has already perfected a recipe for something I absolutely adore, there’s no need for me to try and reinvent the wheel. Why attempt to “make it my own” when it’s already an impeccable, tried-and-true masterpiece? As I mentioned, it was a profound sigh of relief to find Deb’s recipe. It’s not about lacking creativity; it’s about acknowledging expertise, celebrating excellent work, and sharing proven deliciousness with my community. There’s a true beauty in respecting a flawless classic.
Baking, at its heart, is often about following tradition and precise techniques, especially when it comes to beloved classics like these butter sandwich cookies. While I genuinely love experimenting and developing new recipes, sometimes the best path is to stand on the shoulders of giants. Deb Perelman’s recipes are consistently flawless, known for their reliability and incredible flavor, and her version of these bakery-style butter cookies truly captures the authentic essence of that nostalgic childhood treat I remember so fondly. It’s a testament to her skill and dedication, and I am thrilled to share her brilliance with you all, ensuring that you can experience the exact same joy and exquisite flavor that transported me back to those cherished bakery visits. This approach also emphasizes that even experienced bakers appreciate and rely on well-crafted, meticulously tested recipes from trusted sources.
Essential Tips for Crafting Perfect Butter Sandwich Cookies at Home
Crafting these delightful butter sandwich cookies is a rewarding experience, but a few key tips can elevate your baking from good to absolutely perfect, ensuring they taste just like they came from your favorite Jewish bakery:
- Softened Butter is Crucial: For the ideal cookie texture, ensure your unsalted butter is genuinely softened, not melted. It should yield easily to a gentle press, but still hold its shape. This allows it to cream properly with the granulated sugar, creating a light, airy base for your cookies and preventing a dense, hard result. Room temperature butter (around 68-70°F or 20-21°C) is key for this stage.
- Precision in Piping: Using a pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip (like a Wilton 1M or similar) gives these butter cookies their characteristic bakery-style ridges and a beautiful appearance. If you’re new to piping, don’t worry! Practice on a spare piece of parchment paper first to get a feel for the pressure and speed. Aim for consistent two-inch lines, applying even pressure throughout. If you don’t have a star tip, a simple round tip or even a ziploc bag with a corner snipped off will work, though the aesthetic will be slightly different.
- Preventing Parchment Slide: A common frustration is parchment paper sliding around on the baking sheet, especially when piping. The clever trick of piping a small dot of dough under each corner of the parchment paper before you start piping the cookies will secure it firmly to your tray. This small step makes the entire piping process much smoother and less stressful.
- Golden Brown Perfection: Keep a very close eye on your cookies as they bake. They should turn a beautiful, light golden brown color around the edges, indicating they are cooked through and have developed that signature buttery crunch. Over-baking can make them too hard and dry, while under-baking will leave them too soft and prone to breaking. Every oven is different, so start checking a minute or two before the suggested bake time.
- Choosing Your Jam Wisely: While strawberry jelly is a classic choice, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fruit flavors! Raspberry, apricot, cherry, or even a citrus marmalade can offer a delightful contrast to the sweet cookie and chocolate. Just be sure to use a good quality jam that isn’t too runny, to prevent it from oozing out excessively when the cookies are sandwiched together. A thicker preserve often works best.
- Mastering Melted Chocolate: When melting your chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, do it slowly and carefully to avoid seizing or burning. A microwave-safe bowl is convenient, but use short intervals (30 seconds at a time) and stir well between each burst until smooth. Alternatively, a double boiler offers a gentler, more controlled melt. Choose a bowl that is wide enough to easily dip half of your cooled cookies.
- The Art of Assembly: Don’t overfill the cookies with jam! A small amount (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cookie half) is plenty to provide flavor without causing a messy squeeze-out when the cookies are pressed together. When dipping in chocolate and rolling in sprinkles, work relatively quickly before the chocolate starts to set. You can also place the chocolate-dipped cookies on parchment paper to set completely before serving.
- Cooling Completely: This step is non-negotiable. Allow the baked cookies to cool entirely on a wire rack before attempting to fill or dip them. Warm cookies will melt the jam and chocolate, making them difficult to handle and significantly less appealing in appearance and texture. Patience is a virtue in cookie assembly!
By following these detailed tips, you will ensure that your homemade butter sandwich cookies are not just delicious, but also visually appealing, perfectly capturing the essence and charm of those beloved Jewish bakery treats.
Butter Sandwich Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Add ons:
- 1/2 cup jam
- 1 cup sprinkles
- 10-to-12- ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
Instructions
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Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In the bowl of a mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat till light and airy. Add the egg yolks, vanilla and salt and beat again. Add in the flour and mix just until incorporated.
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Cut off the corner of a ziploc bag or if you have it, fit a pastry bag with a large open star tip.
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Pipe the dough onto the parchment paper in about 2 inch long lines. If the parchment is sticking to the dough- pipe a little bit of dough on the underside of the parchment and allow it to stick to your tray to hold it in place.
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Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes or until they are a golden brown color.
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Allow the cookies to cool.
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Meanwhile, place the jam in a ziploc bag and snip off the end only a tiny bit!. Set aside.
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Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, that will be easy to dip in. Place the sprinkles on a plate or shallow bowl.
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When the cookies are cool, flip half of them over, fill them only a little bit with the jam- not so much that it will squeeze out when it is sandwiched, then top with another cookie, dip in the chocolate and roll in the sprinkles.
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Enjoy the goodness and the fun of bringing back memories
The Lasting Appeal of Bakery-Style Butter Cookies
There’s something uniquely comforting and universally appealing about a classic bakery-style butter cookie. Perhaps it’s the simplicity of the ingredients—flour, sugar, and, of course, plenty of high-quality butter—that creates a perfectly crisp yet tender texture. Or maybe it’s the profound familiarity, the way these cookies effortlessly evoke cherished memories of childhood treats and special family occasions. For me, these specific butter sandwich cookies, with their delightful combination of sweet jam, rich dark chocolate, and vibrant sprinkles, encapsulate a rich cultural history and a deeply personal connection to treasured family moments. They are more than just a sweet treat; they are a bite of nostalgia.
These cookies aren’t merely a dessert; they’re a miniature celebration in every sense. The vibrant, colorful sprinkles instantly add a festive touch, making them absolutely perfect for parties, holidays, birthdays, or simply brightening an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. The rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate provides a sophisticated and welcome contrast to the sweet fruit jam, while the tender, buttery cookie base skillfully ties all these wonderful elements together into a harmonious whole. They are incredibly versatile, too; while strawberry jam is a traditional and highly recommended choice, imagining them with a tangy raspberry, sweet apricot, or even a zesty citrus curd opens up a world of exciting flavor possibilities. You can easily customize the sprinkles to match any theme, season, or personal preference, or even use white chocolate for a different, equally delicious flavor profile.
Making these classic butter sandwich cookies at home allows you to fully control the quality of ingredients, ensuring that each and every bite is as fresh, flavorful, and wholesome as possible. It’s a therapeutic and enjoyable process, from the rhythmic creaming of the butter and sugar to the artistic piping of the delicate dough and finally, the meticulous assembly of the beautiful finished product. And undoubtedly, the most rewarding part? Sharing these magnificent cookies with your loved ones, watching their faces light up with pure joy as they experience the familiar, comforting taste of a truly special treat. It’s about much more than just food; it’s about actively creating new, beautiful memories while honoring the cherished old ones.
Whether you consider yourself a seasoned baker with years of experience or you’re just starting your culinary journey, these butter sandwich cookies offer a delightful challenge and a guaranteed reward. They are a testament to the enduring power of classic, well-loved recipes and the immense joy that simple, yet impeccably made, treats can bring to our lives. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to embark on a delicious adventure that culminates in a glorious batch of cookies so good, they’ll transport you straight back to your happiest childhood memories. Enjoy every single buttery, jammy, chocolate-dipped, sprinkle-covered bite – you’ve earned it!