Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting Recipe

If you’re someone who believes that every day is worth celebrating, then these Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting are your new go-to treat. Imagine crisp, buttery shortbread loaded with rainbow sprinkles, sandwiched around pillowy buttercream, and bursting with happy color in every bite. These cookies are dazzling to look at, but even better to eat! Perfect for birthdays, parties, or just cheering up a Wednesday, they’re a labor of love that makes life’s sweet moments feel extra special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

With this recipe, nothing is fussy, but every ingredient is a superstar. From the rich, creamy butter to the festive funfetti sprinkles, each component brings its own kind of magic to these Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting. Let’s go over the essentials and how they set this treat apart.

• Unsalted butter (for frosting and dough): Room-temperature butter is key for both a fluffy frosting and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread.
• Vanilla extract: Using a good-quality vanilla makes the cookies and the buttercream seriously aromatic and flavorful.
• Powdered sugar: The fine texture helps create a smooth, creamy frosting and balances sweetness perfectly.
• Heavy cream: Just a splash lightens the frosting and gives it that luscious, whipped finish.
• Food coloring (optional): Add a swirl of color to your frosting for extra visual fun—totally optional, but so festive.
• All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and delicate crumb.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners ensure the cookies keep their shape and get that dreamy texture.
• Cream of tartar: This subtle booster makes the shortbread just the right amount of tender and tangy.
• Salt: Essential for balancing sweet flavors and enhancing the buttery richness.
• Sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives the cookies that classic buttery-cookie crunch.
• Egg (room temperature): Binds everything together for structure and richness.
• Almond extract: Just a bit adds a nostalgic bakery note that takes these cookies over the top.
• Funfetti sprinkles: Rainbow sprinkles, the life of the party, bring the sparkle and pop of color to every cookie.

How to Make Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting

Step 1: Make the Vanilla Buttercream

Start by letting your butter come up to room temperature—this makes all the difference for fluffy frosting. Beat the softened butter using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until it’s light and pale, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream, mixing until fully incorporated and creamy. Then, gradually add the powdered sugar, half a cup at a time. Mix well and scrape the sides down occasionally. Adjust the consistency by adding a touch more cream if it’s too thick or a bit more powdered sugar if it needs to stiffen up. If you like, a few drops of food coloring will make everything pop. Set the finished buttercream aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Shortbread Cookie Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt—this ensures your leaveners absolutely disappear into the dough and give you a perfectly tender bite. In your stand mixer, beat the second portion of butter with the sugar until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, for a beautifully aerated cookie. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and the egg, mixing until everything is smooth and combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles

With your mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Resist the urge to overmix; go just until the last bit of flour disappears. At this point, fold in the funfetti sprinkles gently so the colors stay bright and it looks like a celebration in dough form!

Step 4: Roll, Cut, and Chill the Cookies

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutter shapes and carefully transfer each to your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between for a perfect spread. Gather and reroll scraps as needed. Then chill the trays of unbaked cookies in the fridge for 45 to 60 minutes—this helps the cookies keep their crisp, sharp edges when baking.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

With the cookies chilled, slide them straight into your preheated oven and bake for 7 to 9 minutes. Keep a close eye: you want them just barely set with maybe a touch of golden at the edges, but not truly browned. Let them cool completely on the trays before moving them—shortbread is delicate when warm.

Step 6: Assemble the Sandwich Cookies

Once the cookies are cool to the touch, you get to the fun part! Pipe or generously spread the vanilla buttercream onto the flat side of half the cookies, then gently top each with another cookie. Press lightly to create the perfect sandwich, with that glorious swirl of frosting peeking out.

How to Serve Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting

Garnishes

Don’t stop at sprinkles just inside—roll the edges of your assembled cookies in more rainbow sprinkles for a gloriously festive look. You can even dust them lightly with edible glitter for a hint of shimmer, or pipe a colored swirl on the frosting for extra flair.

Side Dishes

Serve these with tall glasses of cold milk for a nostalgic treat, or offer alongside a pot of tea or cold-brew coffee for the adults. If you’re making them for a party, they’re delightful paired with fresh fruit or a simple berry compote, which cuts through the sweet and rich flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack them high on a cake stand for show-stopping color, slip a few into cellophane bags tied with ribbon for party favors, or nestle them into a dessert charcuterie board with chocolate-dipped pretzels and mini cupcakes. However you display them, these Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting are guaranteed to be the centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting in an airtight container—the key is to prevent drying out. Kept at room temperature, they’ll stay delicious for 3 to 4 days. Store layers with a bit of waxed paper between to avoid sticking or smashing that delicate buttercream.

Freezing

Good news: both the cookies and assembled sandwiches freeze beautifully! For best results, freeze the cookies unfilled; layer between parchment and store in a freezer-safe zip bag for up to two months. Thaw and assemble with frosting before serving, or freeze finished sandwiches individually wrapped for grab-and-go treats.

Reheating

Since shortbread is best enjoyed at room temperature, simply take your cookies out of the fridge or freezer and let them sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving. This softens the frosting back to its silky, creamy state and brings the flavors back to life—absolutely irresistible.

FAQs

Can I use different types of sprinkles in Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting?

Absolutely! While classic rainbow jimmies give that iconic look, you can swap in holiday-themed or pastel sprinkles to suit special occasions. Avoid nonpareils in the dough, as they might bleed color or melt.

How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the cut cookies before baking is crucial for keeping those sharp shapes intact. Make sure your dough is well-chilled and your baking sheets aren’t warm when they go into the oven.

Can I double the recipe for a party?

Definitely! This recipe scales up nicely. Just make sure not to overcrowd your mixer, and perhaps bake in batches. Everyone will be thrilled to see a big platter of Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting at your gathering.

Is it possible to make these gluten-free?

You can substitute a quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour in place of the all-purpose flour. Watch the dough texture—it should hold together but still be tender. The cookies may be just a touch more delicate but still delicious.

What kind of food coloring works best for tinting the frosting?

Gel food coloring is ideal because it delivers vibrant color without thinning the frosting. A little goes a long way, so start small and mix in more as needed for your preferred playfulness!

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for an unforgettable treat that makes everyone at the table smile, don’t miss out on making Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting. From the first sprinkle to the last buttery, frosted bite, these cookies are pure fun and nostalgia. Go ahead—gather those sprinkles and spread a little happiness!

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