Irresistible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies: Your Ultimate Guide to a Decadent Treat
There are few things as universally delightful as biting into a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie. But what if you could elevate that experience, transforming it into something truly extraordinary? Enter **Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies** – a dreamy dessert that combines the best of both worlds. Imagine two incredibly soft, delightfully chewy chocolate chip cookies cradling a generous, creamy, and utterly irresistible center of safe-to-eat, egg-free cookie dough. These aren’t just cookies; they’re an experience, a handheld slice of pure joy that appeals to the inner child in all of us.
This recipe delivers the ultimate indulgence for any cookie dough enthusiast. The magic lies in the contrast: the warm, comforting flavor of a classic chocolate chip cookie paired with the cool, rich, and utterly safe indulgence of raw cookie dough. We’ve perfected an egg-free, heat-treated flour filling that captures that nostalgic flavor and texture without any worries. Whether you’re planning a party, looking for a unique dessert, or simply craving a moment of sweet bliss, these homemade sandwich cookies are guaranteed to impress and satisfy. They are wonderfully easy to prepare, making them an ideal project for bakers of all skill levels, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
If you’ve already tried our Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake, you know how wonderfully edible cookie dough functions as a dessert component. This recipe takes that same beloved concept and ingeniously transforms it into a portable, handheld delight. Perfect for any celebration, a cozy night in, or simply when the craving for something truly special strikes, these sandwich cookies are sure to become a new favorite in your dessert repertoire.
The outer chocolate chip cookies are designed to be soft enough to melt in your mouth, yet sturdy enough to perfectly encase the rich, luscious cookie dough filling without crumbling. We achieve this ideal texture through careful ingredient ratios and a precise baking method. The star of the show, the cookie dough center, is crafted using heat-treated flour and is completely egg-free, ensuring it’s 100% safe to enjoy raw. This gives you all the joy of sneaking a spoonful of raw cookie dough, guilt-free, nestled within a delicious cookie.
For the best experience, keep these delightful cookie dough sandwich cookies chilled if you’re preparing them in advance. However, allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. This brief softening period ensures the cookies become wonderfully tender again and the filling achieves its optimal creamy consistency, creating that perfect soft-cookie-meets-creamy-filling bite that makes these treats so addictive. They are incredibly rich, profoundly satisfying, and you’ll find it hard to resist reaching for just one more.
Why You’ll Adore These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies
These aren’t just any sandwich cookies; they’re packed with reasons to fall in love with them:
- Customizable for Any Occasion – One of the best features of these chocolate chip cookie dough sandwich cookies is their incredible versatility. You can easily adapt them to suit any season, holiday, or special event. Swap in vibrant colored sprinkles for birthdays, festive holiday M&Ms for Christmas, or different types of chocolate chips (like white chocolate or dark chocolate chunks) to create unique flavor profiles. The cookie dough filling itself can even be tinted with food coloring for an extra festive touch, making these treats perfect for themed parties or school events.
- No Fancy Equipment Needed – Don’t let their bakery-worthy appearance fool you; these homemade cookie dough sandwich cookies are surprisingly simple to make. You won’t need any specialized kitchen gadgets or professional equipment. A standard mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer, and a reliable baking sheet are all you require to whip up these delectable treats. This accessibility means anyone can enjoy the process of making and sharing these incredible cookies.
- Make-Ahead Friendly Perfection – Planning a party or potluck? These sandwich cookies are your ideal make-ahead dessert solution. They hold up beautifully when stored in the fridge, allowing you to prepare them a day or two in advance. This frees up your time on the day of the event, ensuring you can enjoy your guests without last-minute baking stress. They’re also fantastic for cookie boxes, gift baskets, or simply having a delicious dessert ready for unexpected cravings.
- They Freeze Beautifully – Extend the life of your delicious chocolate chip cookie dough sandwich cookies by freezing them! This makes them an excellent grab-and-go treat anytime. Simply wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer bag or container. When you’re ready for a sweet indulgence, just pull one out and let it thaw at room temperature for a few minutes. They’ll be as fresh and delicious as the day you made them, making spontaneous dessert moments wonderfully easy.
What You’ll Need: Essential Ingredients
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements.
Crafting these delectable chocolate chip cookie dough sandwich cookies requires two sets of ingredients: one for the soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies and another for the luscious, egg-free cookie dough filling. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect flavor and texture balance.
For the Chocolate Chip Cookies
These classic chocolate chip cookies form the perfect foundation for our sandwich. They are designed to be soft, chewy, and robust enough to hold the creamy filling.
- Butter: Softened to room temperature for proper creaming with sugars, ensuring a tender cookie texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, chewiness, and a deep, caramel-like flavor that is quintessential to chocolate chip cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the crispness of the cookie edges.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness, helping the cookies hold their shape.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors, giving the cookies a warm, inviting aroma and taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of our cookies.
- Cornstarch: A secret ingredient that helps keep the cookies soft and thick, preventing them from spreading too much.
- Baking Soda: The leavening agent that gives the cookies their lift and contributes to their chewy texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the full flavor of the chocolate.
- Chocolate Chips: The classic choice for a reason! Use your favorite variety, whether semi-sweet, milk, or dark.
For the Safe-to-Eat Cookie Dough Filling
This is the star of the sandwich – a fluffy, rich, and utterly delicious cookie dough that’s completely safe to enjoy raw, thanks to egg-free ingredients and heat-treated flour.
- Butter: Softened, it provides the rich, creamy base for the filling.
- Light Brown Sugar: Contributes to the classic cookie dough flavor and a wonderfully smooth texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Ensures the filling is incredibly smooth and prevents any grainy texture, dissolving seamlessly.
- All-Purpose Flour: Crucially, this flour must be heat-treated to ensure safety when consumed raw. It provides structure and the authentic flour taste of cookie dough.
- Salt: A pinch enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile of the dough.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness, creaminess, and helps achieve the perfect fluffy consistency for the filling.
- Vanilla Extract: Essential for that signature sweet, aromatic cookie dough flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Mini chocolate chips are often preferred for the filling as they distribute more evenly and create a smoother mouthfeel, but regular chips work too!
How To Craft These Decadent Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies
Creating these delightful treats is a straightforward process, broken down into manageable steps for both the cookies and the edible cookie dough filling.
- Prepare the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Begin by creaming together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually about two minutes. This aeration is key to soft cookies. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until thoroughly incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Finally, gently fold in your chocolate chips.
- Chill the Cookie Dough: For optimal texture and to prevent excessive spreading during baking, scoop out portions of the cookie dough (about 2 tablespoons each) onto a baking sheet. These dough balls should then chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling process allows the butter to firm up and the flavors to meld, resulting in thicker, chewier, and more flavorful cookies.
- Bake the Cookies: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the chilled cookie dough balls for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are nicely set and lightly golden, but the centers still appear slightly soft and gooey. Remember, cookies continue to bake for a few minutes after they’re removed from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and helps them firm up.
- Heat-Treat the Flour for the Filling: This crucial step ensures the safety of your edible cookie dough. Spread the all-purpose flour in a thin, even layer on a microwave-safe plate or baking sheet. Microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Alternatively, you can bake it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway, until it reaches the same temperature. Allow the heat-treated flour to cool completely before using it in the filling.
- Make the Egg-Free Cookie Dough Filling: In a clean bowl, beat together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the heat-treated flour and salt on low speed until fully incorporated. Slowly add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, then beat for an additional 2-3 minutes until the filling is wonderfully light and airy. Stir in the chocolate chips (mini chips work great here!) by hand.
- Assemble the Sandwich Cookies: Once your baked chocolate chip cookies are completely cooled, take one cookie and spread or scoop a generous rounded tablespoon of the edible cookie dough filling onto its flat side. Top with another cooled cookie, gently pressing down until the filling spreads nicely to the edges. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.
- Chill Before Serving: To allow the cookie dough filling to set and firm up, store the assembled cookie sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to slightly soften, achieving that perfect, irresistible texture combination.
Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies
To ensure your chocolate chip cookie dough sandwich cookies turn out absolutely perfect every time, keep these helpful tips and tricks in mind:
- Always Chill the Cookie Dough Before Baking: This step is non-negotiable for achieving thick, soft, and chewy cookies. Chilling allows the butter to solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also gives the flour time to fully hydrate, resulting in a more tender crumb and richer flavor. Don’t rush it!
- Utilize Room Temperature Butter: For both the cookies and the filling, ensure your butter is softened to room temperature, not melted. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating air pockets that lead to a light, fluffy texture in the cookies and a smooth, creamy consistency in the dough filling. If your butter is too cold, it won’t cream properly; if it’s too warm or melted, it can make the dough greasy.
- Adorn Dough Balls with Extra Chips: For that professional, “bakery-style” appeal, gently press a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops of your cookie dough balls right before baking. As the cookies bake and spread, these chips will melt slightly and create an attractive, glistening finish, making your chocolate chip cookie dough sandwich cookies even more enticing.
- Crucially, Heat-Treat the Flour for Safety: Raw flour can contain bacteria, so it’s vital to heat-treat the flour for your edible cookie dough filling. Heating it to 160°F (71°C) in the microwave or oven effectively kills any potential contaminants, making the filling safe to eat without affecting its texture or delicious taste. Always allow the flour to cool completely before mixing it into your filling.
- Avoid Overbaking the Cookies: The key to soft and chewy cookies is to pull them from the oven when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft and underdone. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies, which we want to avoid for our perfect sandwich.
- Double the Filling for Extra Decadence: If you’re a true cookie dough aficionado and prefer a generously thick layer of that delicious, safe-to-eat filling, consider making a double batch of the cookie dough filling. This will allow you to pile it high between your soft chocolate chip cookies, creating an even more indulgent and satisfying sandwich.
- Experiment with Different Chocolate Chips: While classic semi-sweet chocolate chips are always a winner, don’t hesitate to get creative! Try mini chocolate chips for a finer texture in the filling, rich dark chocolate chips for a more intense flavor, or even peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips for a fun and exciting twist on the flavor profile of your sandwich cookies.
- Freeze for Longer-Term Enjoyment: These chocolate chip cookie dough sandwich cookies freeze exceptionally well! To store them, wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 1-2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen treat, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a few minutes until softened to your liking.
Heat-treating flour is a simple but important step for making edible cookie dough safe. You can easily do this by spreading the flour in a thin, even layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwaving it in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each, until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Alternatively, you can spread the flour on a baking sheet and bake it in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until it reaches 160°F. Always use a food thermometer to confirm the temperature. Once heat-treated, allow the flour to cool completely to room temperature before incorporating it into your cookie dough filling.
Absolutely! Our cookie dough filling recipe is specifically designed for safe raw consumption. It contains no eggs, which eliminates the risk of salmonella often associated with raw dough. Furthermore, the all-purpose flour used in the filling is heat-treated as described above. This process neutralizes any potential bacteria that can be present in raw flour, making the filling 100% safe to enjoy without baking. You can indulge in that delightful cookie dough flavor with complete peace of mind!
For optimal freshness and to maintain the firm consistency of the cookie dough filling, these sandwich cookies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3-5 days. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, simply remove them from the fridge about 10-15 minutes before serving to allow them to come to room temperature.
While this recipe has been developed with all-purpose flour, you can often substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (one that contains xanthan gum) for both the cookies and the filling. For the filling, ensure the gluten-free flour is also heat-treated. Keep in mind that gluten-free flour might slightly alter the texture and spread of the cookies, so results may vary. It’s always a good idea to test a small batch first if you’re making significant substitutions.
Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes
If you loved these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of other fantastic cookie recipes that are perfect for any occasion, from simple everyday snacks to elaborate holiday desserts. Expand your baking repertoire with these delightful options:
- Cake Batter Cookies: Fun, festive, and bursting with birthday cake flavor.
- Muddy Buddy Cookies: A creative twist on the classic snack, combining chocolate and peanut butter.
- Frosted Churro Cookies: Sweet, cinnamon-sugar cookies topped with a delightful frosting.
- Bakery Sugar Cookies: Achieve that perfect soft, tender sugar cookie texture just like your favorite bakery.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies: A rich, classic combination that’s always a hit with everyone.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients
For the Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- 3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips, plus more for topping if desired
For the Egg-Free Cookie Dough Filling: (consider doubling for extra thick cookies)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, heat-treated (see instructions)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, mini chips work well here
Instructions
Part 1: Make the Chocolate Chip Cookies
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, typically for about 2 minutes. This step incorporates air, crucial for soft cookies. Add the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until fully incorporated and smooth. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies. Gently fold in the chocolate chips by hand.
- Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, portion out balls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Aim for about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period helps the cookies maintain their shape and become wonderfully thick and chewy when baked. If desired, press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each dough ball for a visually appealing, bakery-style finish.
- While the cookie dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350º F (175º C). Ensure your oven has reached the correct temperature before baking for consistent results.
- Bake the chilled cookies for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are done when their edges are set and lightly golden, but their centers still appear slightly soft and gooey. This ensures a perfectly soft and chewy texture. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They must be entirely cool before assembling the sandwich cookies.
Part 2: Prepare the Edible Cookie Dough Filling
- First, heat-treat your all-purpose flour to ensure it’s safe for raw consumption. Spread the flour in a thin layer on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the flour reaches an internal temperature of 160º F (71º C). Alternatively, you can spread the flour on a baking sheet and bake it in a preheated 300º F (150º C) oven for approximately 10 minutes, stirring halfway, until it reaches 160º F. Use a food thermometer to confirm the temperature. Once heat-treated, let the flour cool completely to room temperature before proceeding.
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and powdered sugar over medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well-combined, typically for 2-3 minutes. Next, add the cooled heat-treated flour, and salt. Mix on low speed until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Continue to beat the mixture for about 2 additional minutes until the filling becomes wonderfully light and fluffy. Finally, gently stir in the chocolate chips (mini chips are highly recommended for the filling for a smoother texture).
Part 3: Assemble and Serve
- Once your baked chocolate chip cookies are completely cool to the touch, it’s time to assemble your delicious sandwich cookies. Take one cooled cookie and, using a spoon or small scoop, place about 1 rounded tablespoon of the edible cookie dough filling onto its flat side. Carefully top with another cooled cookie, gently pressing them together until the filling spreads evenly to the edges. Repeat this process with all remaining cookies and filling to create all 12 delightful sandwich cookies.
- Store the finished Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chilling helps the cookie dough filling set and firm up, making them less messy to eat. For the absolute best texture, allow the cookies to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. This slight softening will ensure the cookies are perfectly tender and the filling is wonderfully creamy, creating a truly irresistible treat. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used only as an approximation. Individual results may vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.
Additional Recipe Information
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