Chocolate Sandwich Cookies w/Salted Caramel Russian Buttercream

from ButterYum

makes 12 cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

• • 1 cup all purpose flour

  • 6 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa, sifted (use really good quality)

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • extra granulated sugar to coat roll cookies in before baking (or use vanilla sugar)

Filling:

• • 1/4 pound (113g) unsalted butter at room temperature (70F)

  • 1/4 pound (113g) canned dulce de leche, chilled

  • fine table salt to taste

Directions

To make the cookies:

• 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; set aside until needed.

  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater or BeaterBlade attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until it lightens in color.

  3. Add egg and vanilla; continue to mix until no traces of egg remain.

  4. Turn mixer speed down to low; add cocoa mixture and combine until no traces of dry flour or cocoa remain, scraping bowl if needed.

  5. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.

  6. Preheat oven to 350F, place rack in center of oven, and line 2 half sheet pans with silpat liners.

  7. Using a #50 scoop (about 1 tablespoon), roll level scoops of chilled cookie dough in the palm of your hand to form a ball; coat with granulated sugar and space evenly on sheet pan, 12 per pan.

  8. Bake for 9-10 minutes; remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

To make the filling:

• 1. In a medium mixing bowl, beat room temperature butter using a hand mixer for 2-3 mites, until light in color and very fluffy.

  2. Add chilled dulce de leche and continue beating with a hand mixer for 1 minute.

  3. Taste the buttercream carefully and add just enough salt to achieve the level of salted caramel flavor you desire, beating well so the salt is evenly distributed.