Caramel Buttercream Chocolate Chip Sandwiches

WITH SLICED MINI MILKY WAYS

I am into caramel these days. And I am always into chocolate chip cookies.  The question became how to combine the two tastes, and the answer became caramel buttercream between two Goddess Chocolate Chip cookies.  Friends and family confirmed I was onto to something seriously delicious. 

You can make the chocolate chips ahead and let them cool.  Store them in a plastic container for up to 5 days or freeze them between layers of parchment in a plastic container for as long as two months.  Then defrost batches covered overnight.

The Chocolate Goddess always has a stock on hand.  I make double batches of the recipe that follows.

Here are the recipes for the Goddess Chocolate Chips, as well as, the Caramel Buttercream.

Goddess Chocolate Chips

Ingredients (recipe may be doubled)

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 lightly whisked large eggs

1 cup finely ground walnuts

2 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips

Makes approximately 30 cookies

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Line cookie trays with parchment paper.

Combine dry ingredients.  Set aside.

Cream butter and add sugars. Beat until creamy.

Add whisked eggs and combine.

                           Add vanilla.

Slowly add dry ingredients. 

Add walnuts.

Incorporate chocolate chips. 

Drop by scoopful (I use a size 40 scoop, that holds 2 tablespoons of liquid).

Bake for 9 ½ minutes to edges are just golden brown.

Let cool on cookie sheets completely before removing.

Caramel Buttercream

Ingredients (recipe may be doubled)

2/3 cup salted butter

¼ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¾ cup good quality thick caramel (I think Fresh Market Brand is best, nice and thick)

1 box Confectioners sugar

 ¼ cup Heavy Cream

Mini Milky Ways sliced

Makes a generous amount of filling for 15 sandwiches

Instructions

Cream butter.

Add salt and vanilla and caramel.

Slowly incorporate Confectioners sugar.  Sift out any lumps.

Add heavy cream slowly, using more or less until spreadable consistency is achieved.

Place a large dollop of caramel buttercream on one flat side of cookie.  Add some sliced Milky Ways.  Cover with flat side of another cookie. 

You may choose to garnish the exterior with Milky Ways, as well.