Chocolate Polenta Cookie Sammies

Move over, Oreos – there’s a new chocolate sandwich-cookie in town! Ok, so these are going to seem weird when you catch wind of what’s in ’em. Chocolate, orange and polenta may not be the first combo you’d think of for a really incredible cookie here in the U.S. of A., but in Italy, it’s a well-known pairing. And since we all know I want to be Italian (annnnnnnd since this is my homegirl Giada’s recipe), it’s one of my absolute faves, so just trust me on this. I wouldn’t steer you wrong, especially when it comes to baked goods.

Um, these are completely amazing. Let’s just go ahead and get that straight. The cookie is thin, buttery and slightly crisp, while the slightest hint of fresh orange punctuates the chocolate. Polenta adds a surprisingly pleasing texture, playing nicely against the rich, smooth, zest-tinged buttercream filling.

Now, I’m not gonna blow smoke up your ass – these are kind of a pain to make. But they’re unlike any cookie you’ve ever had, so it’s totally worth it to whip up a batch every so often. Tip: keep the dough verrrrrrry cold while you’re cookie-cutting. You’ll thank me later.

A favorite of a good friend and former neighbor of mine, I used to make some for her for Christmases and birthdays. They’re kind of a big deal, so they work well for special occasions…which makes them a fantastic addition to the Cozy Basket.

Try them – you may have a new favorite cookie.

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Chocolate Polenta Cookie Sammies

Might seem like a strange combo, but trust me, these Italian-inspired sandwich cookies are SO good. Tip: keep the dough very cold while cookie-cutting.

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Courses

Cookie

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

• Cookies:
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup polenta
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 orange zested
• Filling:
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 orange zested
• pinches a couplesalt

Courses Cookie Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients Cookies: 1 cup unsalted butter softened 2/3 cup sugar 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 cup polenta 1/3 cup cocoa powder 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 orange zested Filling: 1 cup unsalted butter softened 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 orange zested pinches a couplesalt

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Instructions

1. To make the cookies:
2. In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. In another medium bowl, stir together the flour, polenta, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and orange zest.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until fully incorporated. Place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper and press into a 1-inch-high round. Wrap in parchment and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 day.
5. When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
6. Roll out the dough to between 1/8 and 1/4-inch thick. Use a 1 1/2" - 2" round cookie cutter to cut out the dough. Bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 15 minutes, then let cool completely before filling.
7. To make the filling:
8. In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter, powdered sugar, orange zest and salt.
9. To assemble the cookie sammies:
10. Spread a couple tsp of filling on a cookie, then top with another cookie, pressing them together.