It has been the summer of the cherry. Well, at least it’s been that way here in Magnolialand. The inspiration sparked as soon as this year’s crop arrived at the store. They were simply spectacular; so sweet and juicy. I made several batches of cherries in syrup. Cakes, cocktails, and much more were baked, cooked, and created with them. I couldn’t let one drop of the syrup go to waste. I used the remaining I had in the fridge to make Cherry Viennese Sandwich Cookies.
Using summer’s bounty can be rewarding. It can also be a challenge especially when it comes to cookies. Zucchini is notorious for being plentiful however you don’t see cookies made with them often. The same goes with tomatoes, green beans, corn, and peppers. Thank goodness for summer fruit. It’s so much easier to spark cookie creativity with fruit’s flavors and sweetness. And so this month’s Creative Cookie Exchange theme, “creative uses for summer’s bounty” challenged the group to utilize the season’s harvest.
There was another CCE challenge too. Some of us received a set of Executive Kitchen Chef baking mats in exchange for an unbiased review. I’ve used Silpat brand mats for years. I was curious to see how the mats compared. The Executive Kitchen Chef mats only come in a set of three; large, medium, and small. I like the smaller sizes however would prefer an option to get multiples of the same size. How did they perform? The cookies baked on EKC mats did not brown on the bottom as they did with Silpat. The cookie texture was the same with both mats. The EKC mats would be good for certain cookies that have a tendency to over-brown on the bottom. Unfortunately the EKC mats are currently unavailable or else I would give a link to purchase them on Amazon.
How are the Cherry Viennese Sandwich Cookies? They are rich and buttery with a light cherry flavor. The pink filling contrasts beautifully with the chocolate glaze. The cookies are slice and bake. Each part of the process is easy. It just takes some time between each step for chilling and cooling.
How do you utilize summer’s bounty? I’ve done more preserving this year than ever before. I still haven’t tackled canning. The fridge and freezer are it for me so far. Well, and baking too. Scroll down to find more cookie recipes by Creative Cookie Exchange members. Enjoy the last of summer while it is here and have fun baking with your harvest.
Cherry Viennese Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3/4 cup sifted confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons cherry syrup
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 to 4 tablespoons cherry syrup
For the glaze:
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate not chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
Instructions
For the cookies:
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Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add cherry syrup and beat to combine.
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Whisk together flour and salt. Add to butter mixture and beat until just combined (may be crumbly).
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Divide dough in half. Shape halves into logs, 2-inches wide and about 6 inches long. Wrap logs in parchment paper and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick liner.
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Slice dough into 1/4-inch rounds. Place slices on baking sheets 2-inches apart.
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Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until lightly browned on the edges, and rotating baking sheets half way through baking.
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Cool cookies on baking sheet for 1 minute then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
For the filling:
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Cream together butter, sugar, and salt. Add cherry syrup in small increments (about 1 teaspoon at a time) until desired consistency is reached. It should have a thicker consistency than frosting.
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Spread about 1 1/2 teaspoons filling on the bottom side of half of the cookies. Place remaining cookies on top of filling. Note the filling will firm up when chilled.
For the glaze:
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Heat chocolate, butter, and cream in a bowl over simmering water until melted and smooth. Drizzle glaze over cookies.
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Chill cookies until serving to firm up the filling. Keep cookies chilled when not serving.
Recipe Notes
A recipe for Cherry Viennese Sandwich Cookies that are rich and buttery with a light cherry flavor. They are topped with a chocolate drizzle.
The Creative Cookie Exchange theme this month is “Creative Uses for the Summer Bounty”. Why should cookies be left out from the summer harvest? They shouldn’t! If you are a blogger and want to join in the fun, contact Laura via email (thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com) and she will get you added to our Facebook group where discuss our cookies and share links.
You can also use us as a great resource for cookie recipes. Be sure to check out our Pinterest Board, and our monthly posts. You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! Also, if you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made:
- Blackberry Thumbprints from Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt
- Blueberry Pecan Rugelach from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Breskvice (Jam Filled, Peach Shaped Cookies) from Spiceroots
- Cherry Viennese Sandwich Cookies from Magnolia Days
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Zucchini and Almond from The Spiced Life
- Jammy Gooseberry Oatmeal Cookies from Food Lust People Love
- Lemon Blueberry White Chocolate Cookies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Lemonade Poppy Seed Linzer Cookies from Made with Love
- Nectarine Drop Cookies from A Baker’s House
- Raspberry Crumble Cookie Bars from From Gate to Plate
- Rhubarb Shortcake Cookies from Rhubarb and Honey
Stacy says
I’ve been loving your creative use of cherries all summer long, Renee, and I’ve been coveting your cherries in syrup especially. What a gorgeous use of that syrup in your cookies and filling! Wish I could taste just one.
Renee says
And I wish I could send you a dozen of them. Too bad they wouldn’t ship well. I’m afraid the buttercream would melt in transit.
Holly says
These are gorgeous cookies, Renee! The taste of summer wrapped up in a picture-perfect sandwich cookie–simply wonderful!
Renee says
Thank you Holly
Ansh says
They are picture perfect, Renee. I wish I could download some right now! I know I would Love love love it.
Renee says
Thank Ansh and if I could send you some through the screen I would.
Becca from It's Yummi! says
Your cookies are absolutely beautiful, Renee!
Renee says
Thanks Becca
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
wow these sandwich cookies look delicious and so pretty! definitely need to make the recipe.
Renee says
Thanks Thalia
Laura says
Those are really beautiful. I am always in awe of such perfect cookies–mine are inevitably lopsided or something lol.
Renee says
Not all of them were so perfect. You know the best ones are front and center for the camera.
Hezzi-D says
These are almost too pretty to eat! Like a buttery chocolate covered cherry. Great idea!
Renee says
They sure are buttery. I found it very hard to resist them. And oh do I love cherries and cherry flavor.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Renee, I want to live in Magnolialand and eat all the amazing treats you whip up, including these beautiful cherry viennese cookies! They look absolutely perfect, especially the lovely buttery consistency of the cookies. The pink looks so pretty sandwiched in-between and you know I can’t resist a chocolate drizzle. Gorgeous photos too, my friend.
Renee says
You can come visit Magnolialand any time you want. I’d love to share any of my treats with you.
Jill says
I like the sound of your cookies and they look so pretty also.
Renee says
Thanks Jill
Lucy says
Very elegant, and I’m sure tasty as well.
Renee says
Oh yes, very tasty.
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
Wow. Just wow. These are beautiful and sound delicious.
Renee says
Thanks a bunch Karen
Kimberly says
Yep, these look AMAZING!
I love all things cherry so these are going on my “to make” list ASAP … and so are your cherries in syrup!
Thanks for sharing!
Renee says
Thank you Kimberly
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
These cookies look so tasty! I really love the pink sandwiched in between the golden cookies. I can’t get over how golden and buttery the cookies look. I want to run right out into the kitchen now and whip some up.
Renee says
I think the pink would make them really nice for Valentine’s Day or a girl’s birthday party too.