Strawberry Sandwich Cookies

Hi guys!  I had a free afternoon last weekend, so of course I took the opportunity to bake up some yumminess for my family {while watching a Lifetime movie -- don't judge}.  One of my favorite easy treats to make are cake mix sandwich cookies.  There are a million different flavor combos you can make.  They're like the poke cake of the cookie world!  {Mmmmm . . . poke cake . . . next time. }  I usually resort to the classic Oreo version -- chocolate cookies with vanilla frosting -- but this time I wanted something a little different.  That's how these strawberry sandwich cookies were born.

The vanilla cake mix cookies are like a cross between sugar cookies and 'Nilla wafers, and the filling is a slight variation on the most delicious fresh strawberry butter cream frosting.  I'm telling you, it's DELIGHTFUL!!  I came across this recipe for strawberry frosting last week when I made cupcakes for a wedding reception.  It had been all I could think about all week, so I had to make another batch.  I stiffened it up a little bit so it would hold up between the cookies and it was perfect.

Vanilla Cake Mix Cookies

1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 C. oil
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350º.  Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl until it resembles cookie dough.  Drop by teaspoonfull onto a cookie sheet.  I used a silicone mat designed for making macarons, which worked great to keep the cookies equal in size, but any cookie sheet will work.  Bake 12 minutes or until light golden brown.  Cool on a baking rack.

Fresh Strawberry Filling

{adapted from Barefeet in the Kitchen}

1½ C. sliced fresh strawberries
1 C. butter, softened
4 C. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Place berries in a blender and pureé.  Set aside.  In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter until very light in color and fluffy.  Add 1 C, powdered sugar and beat until smooth.  Mix in strawberry pureé.  Add the rest of the powdered sugar and vanilla.  Beat until smooth and fluffy.  

To assemble cookies: Spread a good, thick layer of frosting on half of your cookies, then top each cookie with another cookie and serve.  Refrigerate any leftover sandwich cookies and frosting.

These were so yummy I had to hide some from my kids to make sure my hubby would get some when he got home from work.  The frosting is also delicious on yellow or lemon cupcakes. 

Enjoy!

Amy