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Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies with Cinnamon and Cardamom – a sweet, soft cookie coated with the warm flavors of cinnamon and cardamom then filled with a silky rich caramel.
Every year I seem to run out of time during the holidays and don’t get the chance to try new cookie recipes. I’ve already had a few inquiries about my regular homemade gifts like the Peanut Butter Fudge, Chocolate Fudge and English Toffee. So yes – dear friends, I will begin making these treats in early December! And … this year I may add these cookies to the rotation. To say they disappeared quickly would be an understatement. Be sure to tuck this one away for your holiday baking – it’s a winner!
No joke! This recipe (without my adaptations) won the Annual Reader Recipe Contest for Christmas Cookies with Cook’s Country. The original recipe calls for ground anise but I used cardamom instead. I’ve always been a fan of anise, especially in Pizzelles, but I thought cinnamon and cardamom would be a pretty great combination too. The cookies are simple to make and bake.
Once baked, dip the warm cookies in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Allow them to cool before filling with Dulce de Leche mixed with cinnamon, cardamom and butter.
I’ve tried making Dulce de Leche a few times using sweetened condensed milk and never seem to get it dark enough. Nestle makes a pretty terrific caramel with only milk and sugar. Preservative free and fairly inexpensive, I’m in!
These are an impressive cookie with very little effort. Dressed up in a pretty gift box and ribbon, you will make some of your favorite people very happy!
Let the holiday baking begin!
Don’t forget to PIN to your favorite cookie board!
Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies with Cinnamon and Cardamom
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus ⅔ cup for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the filling:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 13.4 ounce can dulce de leche
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cardamom. Set aside.
- Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat just until blended.
- Reduce the speed to low and mix in the flour mixture in 3 additions. Scrape sides as needed.
- Combine the cinnamon and remaining ⅔ cup of sugar in a small shallow bowl. Set aside.
- Roll the dough in 1 inch balls (about 1+ heaping teaspoon) and place 2 inches apart on the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake until the edges are firm, about 10-12 minutes.
- Remove and allow the cookies to cool for 1 minute then place each in the cinnamon sugar mixture, turn and coat both side. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Roll remaining dough into balls but be sure to place on a cool cookie sheet to prevent excessive spreading.
FOR THE FILLING:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cinnamon and cardamom and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the dulce de leche until blended. Spread 1 (scant) tablespoon of the dulce de leche mixture on the bottoms of half the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies to form a sandwich. Gently press to spread the filling to the edges.
- Store in an airtight container for 3 days at room temperature or in the refrigerator until served.
Recipe Notes
- This is a very sweet cookie so if you prefer, skip coating the warm cookies in the cinnamon mixture.
- Recipe adapted from a Cook's Country Christmas Cookie Contest Winner by Karen Cope, Minneapolis, MN
Nutrition
If you’re a caramel fan, you might like to try this super simple recipe for Chocolate Dulce de Leche Dip and these amazing Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Carmelitas, so good! And I would love to try this gorgeous Dulce de Leche Cheesecake by David Leibovitz. Finally, if you want to make your own Homemade Dulce de Leche, I recommend trying Ree’s method at The Pioneer Woman.
Thanks so much for stopping by – hope you have a great weekend!
Tricia
Klif
I made these cookies and sorry to say… not very good. Too much sugar and way too much filling. 2 cans of dolche de leche is about 1 and a half cans too much. I followed the recipe to the T and will never make these cookies again. They do look great though.
Tricia Buice
So sorry you didn’t care for them. I truly appreciate the feedback. They are sweet!
tanna
I’m betting your friends will be VERY, VERY happy to receive a beautiful box of those cookies! They are so pretty, too! Tricia, those photos are gorgeous. I’m hoping to see some of that beautiful color next week… and, maybe burn off a few extra calories to boot. Have a great week! blessings ~ tanna
Tricia Buice
These were shared with my husbands co-workers and they were gone before lunch! This recipe is a keeper! Happy travels Tanna.
Beth
Your cookies look gorgeous – and what a wonderful hike you had!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Beth. It was strenuous but fun! Hope you have a good weekend.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
These cookie sandwiches look amazing, Tricia. Gorgeous fall colors!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie – love this time of year!
ela@GrayApron
Could they be any more perfect!? Looking delicious!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Ela! Love your chocolate cake!
cheri
Hi Tricia, these cookies are so beautiful and elegant, very special. Printed and pinned. Also, sounds like a great hike you went on, love the fall tree colors in your pics!
Tricia Buice
It was a great hike but the first two miles straight up the mountain were a challenge 🙂 Thanks – hope you have a great weekend!
michael
Oh wow, your cookies look delicious Tricia! I printed your post so that I can make these ! 🙂
Tricia Buice
You are such a talented artist Michael – the wood creations and a baker too! Hope you have a wonderful, beautiful autumn weekend.
michael
Very Beautiful, my kind of place to hike and camp!! 🙂
Liz
What a gorgeous stack of cookies! And that filling sounds to.die.for!!! Wow.
Tricia Buice
It is very tasty Liz – have a wonderful weekend!
Monica
I agree! Let’s start holiday baking right now! : ) I barely get to try more than a few new recipes every holiday season since there are so many favorites to make. These cookies are so beautiful – the presentation is so lovely all gift-wrapped in the box. There’s something special about sandwich cookies. Anyone on your x’mas gift list is truly lucky!
Tricia Buice
Can’t wait to see what you bake up for the holidays Monica! Have a great weekend.
Becky Green
Oh, these cookies look WONDERFUL Tricia! I LOVE Cinnamon! 😛 And your trip sounds WONDERFUL TOO! I LOVE your pictures of the trees! 🙂 Just BEAUTIFUL!!!!!:) Guess what I am making tonight for dinner? Your Butternut Squash & Lentil Soup! It smells DIVINE! Can’t wait to try it! I KNOW my hubby is going to like it!!! (It has Red Pepper! LOL) 😀
Tricia Buice
Hope you loved it – please let me know how it turned out for you! Hope you have a blessed weekend!
Daniela
My husband LOVES dulce de leche and I’m going to spoil him with these yummy cookies.
The autunm landscape pictures are gorgeous Tricia!
Tricia Buice
I’m with your husband on this one – can’t go wrong with dulce de leche!
2 Sisters Recipes...by Anna and Liz
Tricia these are gorgeous! …and your photos are unsurpassed! Have a great weekend.
xoxo Anna and Liz
Tricia Buice
Thanks so much – enjoy your trip with the grandkids – I bet New York is gorgeous this time of year!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
I’d take a super long hike for even one of these fabulous looking cookies. I love the way they sound, just on their own – but that filling, wow!
Tricia Buice
My husband’s co-workers were over the moon for these cookies. Very tasty special treat 🙂