DARK CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES WITH MASCARPONE FILLING

Dark Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Mascarpone Filling image

Provided by Ted Allen

Categories dessert

Time 3h20m

Yield Makes about 20 sandwich cookies

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch processed)
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, optional
1 1/2 cups chopped, roasted, shelled, unsalted pistachios
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups mascarpone cheese
3/4 cup ricotta
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon table salt

Steps:

Make the cookies: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the milk and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. Slowly add to the butter mixture while beating on a low speed. Add chocolate chips, if using, and mix until just combined. When evenly mixed, shape the dough into a log about 2 inches thick and roll it in wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Use a sharp knife to slice the cookies into 1/3-inch-thick disks. Don't worry if cookies break apart as you cut them--pieces can be stuck back together and will bake fine. Arrange 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake until set, 10 minutes. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, and then remove to racks to cool completely.
Make the filling: Set aside half of the chopped pistachios for garnish. Mix the remaining pistachios with the confectioners' sugar, mascarpone cheese, ricotta, vanilla, and salt until just blended; do not overbeat, as the mascarpone will get too thick. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
To assemble, put a scoop of filling on the bottom side of a cookie and top with the bottom side of another cookie, so that there is about 1/4 inch of filling in each sandwich. Coat the filling edges with the reserved pistachios.