Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
For Nut Elements:
Pistachios, Walnuts: Deliver delightful crunch, nutty depth, and textural contrast with buttery, earthy undertones.
For Cream Filling and Finishing:
Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy filling that balances cookie's sweetness.
Powdered Sugar: Softens cream cheese and adds silky sweetness.
Softened Butter: Ensures rich, tender cookie base with excellent mouthfeel.
Caramel Sauce: Provides luxurious, golden drizzle with deep caramelized notes.
Additional Chopped Pistachios, Walnuts: Offer beautiful garnish and extra textural crunch.
Tools You’ll Need for These Cream-Filled Treats
Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and creating a uniform mixture.
Baking Sheet: Crucial for evenly baking your delicate cookies.
Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain their crisp texture.
Spatula: Useful for folding nuts into the dough and spreading cream cheese filling.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements for perfect cookies.
How to Bake and Layer Baklava Sandwich Cookies
Oven Preparation Warm up the oven to create a cozy baking environment, setting the temperature just right for golden, delicate cookies.
Dough Creation Blend butter and sugar into a creamy cloud, inviting honey to join the party. Whisper flour, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt together, then gently fold in crunchy nuts for a delightful texture.
Cookie Shaping Craft small dough balls, pressing them softly into delicate rounds. Arrange these little treasures on a parchment-lined stage, giving them room to dance and transform.
Baking Magic Let the cookies transform in the oven's warm embrace, turning golden and crisp around the edges, promising a delectable experience.
Cream Cheese Dream Whip cream cheese and sugar into a silky, dreamy filling that will become the heart of these divine sandwich cookies.
Sandwich Symphony Bring the cookies together with a generous swirl of cream cheese, creating perfect little flavor packages that are both elegant and irresistible.
Finishing Flourish Drizzle caramel like liquid gold, sprinkle additional nuts, and watch these cookies become a work of culinary art that will make taste buds sing.
Pro Tips for Balancing Spice and Cream
Nutty Cookie Mastery: Learn pro techniques to elevate your baklava sandwich cookie game with these expert tips.
Storage Secrets: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Refrigerate for extended freshness, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different nut combinations like almonds or pecans. Try adding orange zest or rose water to the dough for an exotic Middle Eastern twist. Ground cinnamon can be swapped with nutmeg for a warmer flavor profile.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls for spontaneous baking. Cream cheese filling stays fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days when stored in a sealed container.
Texture Transformations: For crispier cookies, roll dough slightly thinner. Want softer cookies? Reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes. Toasting nuts before adding to dough intensifies their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to each bite.
Elegant Ways to Serve Baklava Cookies
Sweet Picnic Pairing: Pack these delicate baklava sandwich cookies in a charming wicker basket for an outdoor summer gathering. Pair them with cold lavender lemonade or light iced tea for a refreshing dessert experience.
Mediterranean-Inspired Dessert Platter: Create an elegant display with these cookies alongside fresh figs, honey-drizzled apricots, and a small selection of soft cheeses. The combination highlights the rich nutty flavors and adds sophistication to your dessert presentation.
Afternoon Tea Highlight: Serve these delightful sandwich cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate during afternoon tea. Complement them with traditional Earl Grey tea or a smooth Turkish coffee to elevate the entire tasting experience and showcase their delicate Middle Eastern-inspired flavors.
Gifting Gourmet Treat: Wrap individual sandwich cookies in parchment paper and tie with a rustic twine ribbon. These make perfect homemade gifts for food lovers, capturing the warmth of traditional baklava in a unique cookie format.
Store These Cookies Without Losing Their Crunch
Delightful Storage Solutions: Keep your baklava cream sandwich cookies fresh and tasty with these smart strategies.
Refrigeration Haven: Store assembled cookies in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
Freezing Magic: Wrap individual sandwich cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These treats will stay delicious for 2-3 weeks when frozen, allowing you to enjoy them anytime a craving hits.
Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare cookie dough or baked cookies in advance. Raw dough can be chilled for 2 days or frozen for 1 month. Baked cookies without filling will stay crisp for 3-4 days at room temperature in a sealed container.
Quick Serving Tip: Remove refrigerated or frozen cookies 15-20 minutes before serving to let them soften slightly. This ensures the cream cheese filling reaches a perfect, creamy consistency and the nuts regain their wonderful crunch.
Sweet Greek baklava delight cream sandwich cookies blend nutty pistachios and honey-soaked phyllo layers with creamy filling. Delicate pastry and rich flavors create a memorable dessert experience for passionate bakers.
Ingredients
Scale
1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) honey
¼ cup (30 g) chopped pistachios
¼ cup (30 g) chopped walnuts
¼ cup (57 g) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) caramel sauce for drizzling
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cardamom
¼ tsp salt
Additional chopped pistachios and walnuts for garnish
Instructions
Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then fold in honey for a luxurious flavor profile, creating a light and airy base.
Dry Ingredients: Blend flour, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt, forming a fragrant dry mixture that will infuse the cookies with warm, aromatic essence.
Dough Formation: Merge dry ingredients with butter mixture, gently incorporating chopped pistachios and walnuts to ensure even distribution of nutty textures.
Cookie Shaping: Craft uniform dough balls, delicately flattening them and positioning on the prepared baking sheet with strategic spacing.
Baking Process: Roast in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until edges transform to a golden-brown, signaling perfect crisp and doneness.
Cooling Stage: Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling and texture stabilization.
Filling Creation: Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar into a silky, decadent mixture that promises creamy indulgence.
Assembly: Construct sandwich cookies by generously spreading cream cheese filling between two cooled cookies, applying gentle pressure to unite.
Final Flourish: Embellish with caramel drizzle and garnish with additional chopped pistachios and walnuts, elevating the cookie to a gourmet delicacy.
Notes
Precise Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies; mix just until ingredients are combined for a tender texture.
Nut Preparation Tip: Toast nuts briefly before chopping to enhance their natural oils and intensify their flavor profile, adding depth to the cookie’s taste.
Cooling Strategy: Let cookies cool completely before adding cream cheese filling to prevent melting and ensure structural integrity of the sandwich.
Storage Wisdom: Store these delicate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for optimal freshness, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their crisp texture.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.