I could easily sum up this post in one word.  Yum.  Yes, simple but true, these cookies are awesome.  But first, I hope everyone here in the US of A enjoyed Thanksgiving.  I know I did.  I hosted the festivities at my house this year.  Wow.  It’s a lot of work.  My Mom came and stayed the night before and we literally started baking the afternoon before and didn’t stop until the food hit the table.  We were exhausted.  And it always gets me that your work soooo hard for sooo long and it takes 2.5 seconds to fill the gut and clear the table.  But, it was well worth it because we had some amazing food.  Thanks for all of your help Mommy!  Yes, I still call her Mommy.

Now onto the cookies.  As Christmas time approaches, my friends at Keebler, (okay they really aren’t my ‘friends’), bring out the holiday cookies.  No, these are not your Grandmother’s homemade holiday cookies, but I have to admit that I have become addicted to a certain cookie called the Merry Mint Pattie.  Now, these cookies are not cheap.  You get about 12 cookies in the box and they are almost $4 a box.  So I decided to take matters into my own hands and make these myself.  They are simply a shortbread cookie, topped with a mint frosting and dipped in chocolate.  Well my re-creation are sooo much better than the box, sorry Keebler.  You must try them.  They are rather simple, just a few steps and you’ve got yourself a beautiful and tasty cookie.  You can’t beat it my friends!  Give them a try and just try and tell me I’m wrong!

I hope you all have a happy weekend.  

Shortbread Mint Sandwich Cookies

For the shortbread:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the mint icing:

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon mint extract

4 tablespoons milk

For the glaze:

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

2 ounces white chocolate

1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.  Set aside.  In a mixer, cream the butter and confectioners sugar.  Add vanilla.  Slowly add the flour mixture until well combined. Â

2. Chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.

3. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.  Using your choice of cookie cutter, cut the cookies and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Chill for an additional 10 minutes.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.  Cool completely on a cooling rack.

4. In a small bowl, mix the confectioners’ sugar, mint extract and milk until smooth.  Add more milk or sugar, if needed, to make a frosting like consistency.  Spread on cooled cookies and top with another cookie to make a sandwich.  Chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes, or until icing is set.

5. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or over a double broiler and stir until smooth.  Dip the tops of the cookie sandwiches into the chocolate and let stand on the cooling rack.  Set in the refrigerator to let the chocolate harden.

Hope you enjoy these!