Rich chocolate orange cardamom cookie sandwiches are a grown up version of a childhood treat.
Do you know what happens when you get on an orange curd making kick? You make a lot of it and find ways to add it to just about everything. I used most of it as filling for my orange cake from scratch. But then I spotted the cardamom in the spice cabinet and could. not. stop. thinking about creating these cookies!
I just knew chocolate orange cardamom cookie sandwiches would work. Chocolate and orange work well together. I know because, when I was a child, my mom loved to buy those chocolate oranges you’d whack on the counter to “slice”. They seemed to hit shelves around the winter holidays and stay around through the spring.
I also really love spiced chocolate cookies. A little hint of unexpected spice just adds something so sophisticated and makes the cookie very satisfying. One of the things I love about these chocolate orange cardamom cookie sandwiches is that even one is very satisfying because it’s so rich.
The chocolate cookie portion is simply a small variation on my peppermint chocolate cookie sandwiches. The key to this is to be conservative with your cardamom. As with any floral-y spice, if you add too much, it can be overpowering. Stick to what’s called for in the recipe and it will balance beautifully. The flavor actually gets a bit richer the day after the cookies have baked. And if you don’t want to mess with filling, the cookies themselves are really tasty alone.
As for the filling, it’s a pillowy orange curd buttercream frosting. It’s soft and the orange flavor is nice and subtle. If you’d like a stronger orange flavor, add some fresh orange zest or 1/4 teaspoon orange extract. Using just the curd as flavoring, you’ll get a softer orange flavor, but still there. My testers loved them as-is. The key to a cookie like this is balancing all the flavors so they compliment rather than contrast.
I hope you enjoy this recipe. Sandwich cookies are such a fun dessert. Perfect for parties, piled high on platters, just ready for grabbing to enjoy!
Happy baking!
Chocolate Orange Cardamom Sandwich Cookies
Rich chocolate orange cardamom cookie sandwiches are a grown up version of a childhood treat.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cardamom Cookies
- 1 1/3 cups all-pourpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
Orange Buttercream Frosting Filling
- 8 tablespoons salted butter (see notes)
- 1/4 cup orange curd
- 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 F (gas mark 5, 177 C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl (you can use a hand mixer just fine), stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut the softened butter into tablespoons and using the low speed on your mixer, stir in the butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until well combined and the dough comes together.
- Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to portion out your dough to portion out your cookie dough on your baking sheets. Slightly flatten each disc.
- Bake the sheets for 9-10 minutes, rotating once half way through baking time. Allow the cookies to set for 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Make the filling while the cookies are cooling.
To make the filling:
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat the butter until softened, scrape the bowl, stir in the orange curd. Add the powdered sugar in 3 batches. Pipe onto the cookies once cool.
Notes
If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the frosting.
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Lisa
Friday 26th of February 2021
I don’t see the cardamom in the ingredient list.
Mary (The Goodie Godmother)
Wednesday 3rd of March 2021
Sorry about that! All fixed!