Vanilla Shortbread with Coffee/Cinnamon Filling

Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with Coffee/Cinnamon Filling

Certain cookies bring back special memories for me. More so around the holidays. Most memories are of making cookies with my mom. This cookie though, is one I used to make with my friend, Kim. She really loved coffee and the coffee-cinnamon filling made these one of her favorites. The cookies are tender, and not too sweet. The filling, which sandwiches them together, is what makes them special. It is a buttery mix of cinnamon and coffee flavors. They pair so well together.

Use a cookie press to make any shape you like for these cookies. Once baked, two halves are put together in little sandwich cookies. These are a big hit, whenever I make them.

Vanilla Shortbread with Coffee/Cinnamon Filling

1 c. butter
½ c. powdered sugar
½ t. vanilla
2 c. flour
¼ t. baking powder

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Blend in flour and baking powder. Using flower design of cookie press to make 1- inch cookies on ungreased baking sheet. Bake about 7 minutes, or until very lightly browned. Cool and then put two cookies together with coffee filling.
Note: You can make these cookies in almost any cookie press design that is symmetrical. I have made strips, trees and stars among others. Makes about 2 dozen double cookies.

Coffee/Cinnamon Filling

2/3 c. powdered sugar
2 T. butter, softened
1 t. instant coffee dissolved in 1 t. boiling water
1 t. cinnamon
Beat all ingredients together until smooth. Add a few drops of water if too dry.