VALENTINE'S DAY RECIPES – Vanilla Baci Di Dama

This guest post is courtesy of Spice Islands.

VANILLA BACI DI DAMA

Makes 30

INGREDIENTS

• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon SPICE ISLANDS PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1 cup all purpose flour

Vanilla filling:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 Tablespoon SPICE ISLANDS PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
• 1½ cups powdered sugar, sifted

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a large bowl combine the flour and almond meal until well combined and set aside.

3. Place butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream together using a hand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy.

4. Add the vanilla and continue to beat for another minute.

5. Using a wooden spoon, begin stirring in the flour mixture and stir until thoroughly blended and dough has formed.

6. Pat dough into a flat disc, wrap with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

7. Roll out teaspoon sized balls of dough and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment, slightly pressing down to create a flat top on each cookie.

8. Bake cookies for about 12-15 minutes or until fully baked and color barely begins to show. Set aside and allow to cool.

9. For the frosting: In a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth.

10. Begin adding the powdered sugar until fully combined.

11. Pipe or spoon a small amount of frosting onto the underside of a cookie and seal with another cookie, creating a small vanilla cookie sandwich.

12. Repeat with remaining cookies and frosting and serve.