Triple-Ginger Cream Sandwiches

Delightful sandwich cookies featuring three types of ginger - ground, fresh, and candied - paired with warm spices and filled with a cream cheese filling. These sophisticated cookies combine the spicy kick of ginger with sweet, creamy elements.

18 servings
1 hr 59 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 whole egg yolks
  • cup unsulphured molasses
  • 2 tablespoons cane sugar
  • 12 ounces cream cheese
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup candied ginger
  • 1 piece round cutter

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk ground ginger, fresh ginger, pepper, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves, and 2 cups flour in a medium bowl; set aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Beat brown sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add egg yolks and molasses and beat until combined. Add dry ingredients and beat on medium-low speed until well combined, about 3 minutes.

    7 min

  3. 3.

    Divide dough between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and flatten each into an 8"-diameter disk. Wrap each disk in plastic and chill until firm, about 1 hour.

    60 min

  4. 4.

    Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 disk of dough to an 1/8" thickness. Using 2" round cutter, cut out rounds, rerolling scraps once (you should have 36 rounds).

    20 min

  5. 5.

    Arrange rounds on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets at least 1/2" apart; sprinkle with cane sugar. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are puffed and edges are lightly golden, 8-10 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cookies cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

    10 min

  6. 6.

    Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and candied ginger in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

    2 min

  7. 7.

    Just before serving, spread about 1 tsp. filling on flat side of half of the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies, sugared sides up.

    15 min

  8. 8.

    Unfilled cookies can be made up to 1 week ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Filling can be made 3 days ahead; chill in an airtight container. Let filling come to room temperature and fill cookies just before serving.