These Soft Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies with Lemon-Creme Filling are a great addition to your holiday baking repertoire. I’m calling these sandwich cookies because they really are a great, soft ginger cookie. Not cakey like some whoopie pies are (and like they’re called in the old McCormick recipe these are inspired from). You could easily make just the cookie part and serve them on their own. They have a slightly crisp edge and a chewy soft center so they’re for sure a cookie. Way to own that one, cookie. Give these ones a try and let me know you think!
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
Cookies
- All-purpose flour
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Baking soda
- Ground nutmeg
- Salt
- Butter – Always use real butter if you can.
- Brown sugar – Dark brown or golden brown both work.
- Molasses – Use regular unsulphered molasses like Grandma’s brand here. Avoid blackstrap, as it’s too bitter for baking. You’ll find molasses in the baking aisle of your grocery store, often near corn syrup and other sweeteners.
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Granulated sugar – For rolling.
Filling
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon extract
- Crushed lemon drop candies
How to Make Soft Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
Step 1: Make the Cookies
- Start by mixing up some spices with your flour: ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set that aside and cream some butter and brown sugar together.
- Once those are light and fluffy, add in some vanilla, and egg, and some molasses. Then add those dry ingredients until you have a nice soft dough.
- The original recipe calls for chilling the dough, but I skipped that step and they baked up perfectly. Just roll into balls and roll them in sugar. I use my standard sized cookie scoop and divide that dough ball in half.
- Bake them until just puffed with little lines like you see in the photos below. Let them cool on a rack until they’re room temperature.
Step 2: Make the Filling and Assemble
- Another thing I changed from the original recipe is the filling. The flavor is great but the consistency posed problems for me, as it was way too soft. I made a simple cream cheese buttercream instead and it was quite a bit thicker, which worked well for the sandwiches.
- You have enough to put on a generous amount each cookie. The filling is butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon extract. The lemon really is a perfect compliment to the ginger and spices in the cookie.
- In the original recipe, those ginger sandwich cookies were rolled in…candy canes. That flavor combo seemed a bit off to me, so I thought of something better: I pulsed lemon drop candies in my Blendtec: and then rolled the finished cookies in them. You get a little shimmery sparkly burst of lemony goodness and a soft cookie with warm spices that taste like they are soul-mates. If you want the filling to firm up a bit, just store the cookies in the fridge.
Storing and Other Tips
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 4-5 days for best results.
- When you measure your molasses, spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray first and it will slide right out.
- I always suggest with sandwich cookies to go smaller than you think you want. Remember you’ll eat 2 at a time, so smaller is sometimes better.
- It’s very important to not overcook sandwich cookies. If anything, underbake them a little, or a lot. That way they’ll be soft enough to not completely squish the filling out when you bite into them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the flavor of the filling?
Sure. Feel free to leave out the lemon or replace it with another flavor like vanilla or orange.
What can I use in place of the crushed lemon drops?
Depending on the flavor of your filling, you can use white or colored sanding sugar, sprinkles, crushed candies in your preferred flavor, or leave them plain.
Do I have to fill these cookies?
Nope! Feel free to enjoy them with a little dollop of frosting on top, or as a plain cookie.
Could I make ice cream sandwiches with these?
Definitely. Just make sure you do not overbake them. You want them nice and soft so they can still be bitten into after freezing. You may be interested in this Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Sandwich recipe, as it uses a spice cookie recipe for the cookie portion.
Can I freeze these?
These cookies will freeze well. However, I’d probably recommend making the filling fresh and sandwiching them right before serving.
Soft Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies with Lemon Creme Filling
Soft and chewy gingerbread cookies sandwiched with a bright and fresh creme filling; great for the holidays!
Servings sandwich cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- granulated sugar for rolling about ¼ cup
Filling
- ½ cup butter softened to room temp
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar until you reach desired consistency- I use 3 cups
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract more to taste if desired)
- Crushed lemon drop candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, if desired, and set aside.
- Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside.
- Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well.
- Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. You may chill dough for at least an hour or bake immediately.
- When ready to bake, shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar to coat. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until centers are puffed and just slightly cracked and edges are set. Timing depends on the size of cookies you make. My tiny ones took only 4-5 minutes so keep an eye on them. Aim for underbaking just a bit. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
- Meanwhile, for the filling, combine all filling ingredients and beat until smooth.
- When cookies are completely cool, spread a generous dollop of frosting on one cookie and top with another. Dip cookies in crushed lemon candy and between layers of wax paper in airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.
Notes
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 4-5 days for best results.
- When you measure your molasses, spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray first and it will slide right out.
- I always suggest with sandwich cookies to go smaller than you think you want. Remember you’ll eat 2 at a time, so smaller is sometimes better.
- It’s very important to not overcook sandwich cookies. If anything, underbake them a little, or a lot. That way they’ll be soft enough to not completely squish the filling out when you bite into them.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sandwich, Calories: 196kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 133mg, Potassium: 112mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 287IU, Vitamin C: 0.004mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg
Calories: 196kcal
Cost: $12
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Questions & Reviews
These look delicious! Can they be frozen after baking/assembling?
Yes! Either,or!
I’ve made these twice in the last week. The first ones were too fluffy and I had to flatten them slightly with a fork before baking to get the right shape. The second ones looked like the picture above. The difference was how well I softened the butter. So if you want them to flatten for sandwiches be sure to soften well! Hope this helps 🙂
I am super pumped to make these again today. That is all.
Oh, and I had a bit of filling leftover, maybe using about half the filling would be a bit more to our taste.
Yield?
About 30 sandwiches
I made these yesterday. Is there a reason why they need to be in the fridge? Also, my cookies were very round and not at all flattish like yours. Is there a reason why? I have to say though, these are just about my favorite cookie now. Yum, yum, yum!
Made these for our friends and neighbors as our holiday treats and everyone is raving. They are supreme!! Thanks for sharing. And Merry Christmas to you and your families.
those cookies from target are so, so good. my target is out of them and i’m so sad. i should have bought 10 boxes! plus they were so cheap! i’ll have to try these. thanks.
I made these Saturday night and rendered my brother in law speechless! He doesn’t even like dessert… so I’m feeling like a cookie making goddess right now. Also made your chocolate peppermint sandwich cookies last night and your broccoli salad and both were absolutely outstanding! Your site is now my go to for cooking inspiration. Have a blessed Christmas and New Year with your friends and family.
I knew I would LOVE these when I saw the pairing of lemon and gingerbread. I have loved that combo ever since my sister made gingerbread pancakes with lemon sauce a few years back. Totally de-lish. We also lost the recipe if you want to create a new one for us. 🙂 Anyways these turned out so yummy! My hubby even liked them and that never happens. I made them for our friends, and now I don’t want to share them.