Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Aka The Nora Ephron Recipes

Steps:

• Cookies: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 stick butter. Add oats and cook, stirring, until toasted, 5 to 10 minutes. Spread mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; let cool completely.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat remaining 1 stick butter with granulated and brown sugars on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add peanut butter; beat until well combined.
• Gradually add oat mixture and flour mixture; beat on low speed until combined. Roll out dough between 2 sheets of parchment 1/4 inch thick. Slide dough with parchment onto baking sheet and refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove top layer of parchment; cut out cookies using a 2-inch round cookie cutter. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart; sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets.
• Filling: In a medium bowl, beat all ingredients on medium speed until smooth. Transfer mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip (such as Ateco #806).
• Pipe filling in a spiral motion on bottom sides of half of cookies. Top with remaining cookies to form sandwiches. (Filled cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the shortening, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well., Shape into 1-in. balls and place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten to 3/8-in. thickness with fork. Bake at 375° for 7-8 minutes or until golden. Remove to wire racks to cool. , For filling, in a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Spread on half of the cookies and top each with another cookie.

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk together baking soda, salt, and 2 cups flour; set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until light and fluffy; beat in egg. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until combined (do not overmix).
• Form dough into two 8-inch-long rectangular logs. Wrap each log in waxed or parchment paper; freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. With a sharp knife, slice dough 1/4 inch thick; place on two baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Bake until cookies are puffed, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer to wire racks; let cool.
• Make filling: In a saucepan, whisk milk and 2 tablespoons flour over medium until thickened, 2 minutes; let cool. In a bowl, using mixer, beat together 1/2 cup peanut butter and granulated sugar; beat in cooled milk mixture. Spread smooth sides of half the cookies with 1 tablespoon filling; sandwich with remaining cookies.