Malted Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

makes about 20 large sandwich cookies

For the cookie:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

6 ounces good-quality milk chocolate chips, melted and cooled slightly

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup Ovaltine

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugars. On a lower speed, stir in the melted chocolate and vanilla.

2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in small batches, stirring between additions. Stir on low speed until the dough just begins to come together.

4. Place a large sheet of parchment paper on your work surface. Place the dough on the parchment paper and form into a disk shape.

5. Put another piece of parchment paper on top of the dough, and roll it out until the dough is about 1/4"-inch thick.

6. Place the dough, sandwiched between the parchment paper, in the fridge to chill for at least 15 minutes.

7. Once the dough is chilled, use a 2" round or 2" square cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. Place the cut out shapes two inches apart on a parchment or silpat-lined baking sheet and chill in the fridge for an additional 10 minutes.

8. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set and look dry in appearance.

9. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

10. While the cookies are cooling, prep the filling by creaming together the butter, ovaltine, vanilla, and powdered sugar.

11. Place the prepped filling in a pastry bag with a 1/2"-inch plain tip.

12. Prep the cooled cookies by flipping them over. Squirt a small dab (about a one-inch mound) of filling onto the center of half of the cookies. Sandwich together with the remaining cookies, smooshing gently to spread the filling evenly within the sandwich. Serve.