smiley face sandwich cookies + new lunchbox notes

We’re over halfway through the school year (woohoo!) and I don’t know about you but I’ve definitely been in need of some lunch packing inspiration. So over the weekend we worked on a new homemade sandwich cookie recipe (like Oreos but better) and lunchbox notes. Excited to share both with you today!

Homemade chocolate sandwich cookies

FOR THE COOKIES YOU’LL NEED:

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons butter, melted
2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
cookie cutters: we used this set!

HERE’S HOW:

In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Mix in butter, sugar, and egg. Stir or mix until a dough forms…. It’ll be slightly crumbly.
Spoon half of the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper and place a second sheet of parchment on top. Roll dough out between the two sheets until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. Place on a baking sheet or cutting board, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line two baking sheets with parchment. Using a cookie cutter, cut dough into shapes. Place on prepared sheets and bake for 8 minutes… This is a good time to mix up the filling!
Transfer to wire racks, and let cool.

FOR THE CREAM FILLING YOU’LL NEED:

4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar (aka powdered sugar)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

HERE’S HOW:

While the cookies bake, beat butter with electric mixer until fluffy. Mix in vanilla and both sugars, 1/4 cup at a time, until combined.
Spread about 1 tablespoon of filling onto one cookie and then top with a second cookie.