If you love the combo of rich chocolate and bright, tangy fruit, you’re going to absolutely adore this Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe. I promise, these cookies are the perfect balance of fudgy, tender chocolate cookie layers hugging a luscious, fresh raspberry cream cheese frosting that’ll have you sneaking bites even when you’re trying to be “good.” Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just a treat-yourself moment, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and surprisingly easy once you get the hang of the steps. Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadent but approachable: The chocolate cookies are fudgy yet soft, making them irresistible and easy to eat.
- Fresh raspberry flavor: The frosting uses real raspberries reduced into a thick puree, giving it a natural fruitiness that’s not overly sweet.
- Perfect make-ahead treat: Chilling the dough overnight makes the process so much easier and helps deepen the cookie flavor.
- Fun for all skill levels: Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying sandwich cookies for the first time, this recipe guides you every step of the way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe come together perfectly because the deep cocoa flavor of the cookies balances beautifully with the tangy cream cheese and fresh raspberry frosting. When you shop, try to pick good quality cocoa powder and fresh or unsweetened frozen raspberries for that authentic taste.
- All-purpose flour: Use spooned and leveled flour for accurate measurement to keep cookies tender yet sturdy.
- Cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor; Dutch-processed works great too.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough—don’t swap with baking powder here.
- Salt: Enhances the chocolate and balances the sweetness in both the cookie and frosting.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming; using unsalted lets you control the salt perfectly.
- Brown sugar: Gives moisture and a slight caramel note to the cookie.
- White sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that slight crisp edge on the cookies.
- Egg: Room temperature eggs mix better and give a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Just a touch to enhance all the flavors.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet or dark chips add gooey pockets of chocolate—not optional, in my book!
- Fresh or frozen raspberries: If frozen, make sure they’re unsweetened and not packed in syrup for the frosting.
- Cream cheese: Full-fat brick style for a creamy, tangy frosting that’s not too sweet.
- Powdered sugar: For that smooth, sweet frosting texture.
Variations
I love how flexible this Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe is. Feel free to tweak the frosting or cookie mix to make it your own — I’ve tried a few versions that turned out great depending on mood and ingredient availability.
- Use raspberry jam instead of fresh raspberries: When I’m in a pinch, swapping in seedless raspberry preserves saves time without sacrificing too much flavor.
- Swap chocolate chips for chunks or nuts: Tossing in chopped bittersweet chocolate or walnuts adds a crunch and richer chocolate bites.
- Make it gluten-free: Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour works well—just chill the dough a bit longer to help with spread.
- Try different berries: Blueberries or blackberries make a fun twist; just adjust the frosting sweetness depending on fruit tartness.
How to Make Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Whisk dry ingredients and cream butter + sugars
Start by gently whisking together your flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl—this helps distribute everything evenly. In a bigger bowl, beat the softened butter with brown and white sugars until it’s light and fluffy, usually about 2-3 minutes with a hand or stand mixer. This part is crucial for soft and tender cookies, so don’t rush it! Then beat in your room temperature egg and vanilla until smooth.
Step 2: Gently combine wet and dry, then add chocolate chips
Lower your mixer speed and add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in about two halves—this prevents flour from flying everywhere and overmixing. The dough will be sticky but that’s exactly right. Fold in the chocolate chips last with a spatula. This is when the cookie dough really starts to look like something special.
Step 3: Chill the dough
This is a game changer: cover your dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight. I do this almost every time because it firms up the dough, making it easier to shape and yielding cookies that hold together better with a deeper flavor.
Step 4: Bake the cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Scoop out dough balls about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each (a bit smaller than a golf ball) and space them 2 inches apart so they spread right. Bake for 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye on them—the tops should look mostly set but still soft. Remember, they’ll keep cooking a bit as they cool, so don’t overbake!
Step 5: Make the raspberry cream cheese frosting
While the cookies cool, puree your raspberries in a blender or food processor. Strain through a metal sieve to remove all the seeds; it’s a bit of effort but sooo worth it to get that smooth frosting. Cook the puree in a small pan over low heat until it thickens into a jammy consistency—about the thickness of jam—then let it cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese together until silky. Add powdered sugar and salt gradually, mixing as you go. Incorporate the cooled raspberry reduction—this adds that fresh-tart punch we’re after. Adjust frosting thickness by adding more powdered sugar or raspberry puree until you get a spreadable consistency.
Step 6: Assemble your sandwich cookies
Grab one cookie and spread about a tablespoon of the frosting on its flat side, then gently press the flat side of another cookie on top to make a sandwich. I usually get around 14 sandwiches from this batch. If some cookies break, don’t worry—they taste just as amazing with a spoonful of frosting on top!
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Don’t skip chilling the dough: I learned this the hard way—chilling really controls spread and makes the dough easier to handle.
- Use room temperature eggs and butter: This helps everything blend smoothly and gives you that soft, tender cookie texture.
- Strain raspberry puree carefully: Removing seeds keeps your frosting silky and avoids crunchiness that can throw off the smooth texture.
- Store in the fridge: Because of the fresh raspberry frosting, keeping these in the fridge prevents the frosting from getting runny or spoiling.
How to Serve Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to dust a little powdered sugar over these sandwiches just before serving—it adds a pretty contrast and a touch of extra sweetness. Fresh raspberries on the side or a sprig of mint make for an eye-catching garnish that elevates these from everyday to special.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk. For brunch or dessert spreads, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit platters or a simple vanilla panna cotta to keep the flavors balanced and bright.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged these sandwich cookies on tiered dessert stands with little flags or notes describing the flavors. Another fun idea is to dip the cookie edges in melted dark chocolate for an extra fancy touch that guests love (and that I sneak bites from).
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always store leftover sandwich cookies in an airtight container in the fridge because the frosting contains fresh raspberries and cream cheese. They usually stay fresh and delicious for about 3-4 days. Just make sure they’re not stacked too tightly so the frosting doesn’t get squished.
Freezing
Freezing these sandwich cookies is doable but I recommend freezing the cookie layers separately without frosting for best texture. Then thaw and assemble with fresh frosting before serving. I tried frosting and freezing them together once, and the frosting got a bit watery upon thawing.
Reheating
Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you want a softer cookie, let them sit out for about 30 minutes before eating rather than reheating, which can melt the frosting. If you accidentally chill them too much, a gentle 5-second zap in the microwave can soften the cookie—just careful not to melt the edges!
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen raspberries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure your frozen raspberries aren’t packed in syrup or sweetened. Thaw them first and pat dry if needed before pureeing and reducing for the frosting. This keeps the flavor fresh and the frosting consistency just right.
-
Is it necessary to chill the cookie dough?
Yes, chilling the dough is a key step. It helps control spreading during baking and gives the cookies a better texture. I usually make the dough the night before to save time and improve flavor.
-
How long will these sandwich cookies last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these cookies will stay fresh for about 3-4 days because of the fresh frosting. Beyond that, the quality starts to decline.
-
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
For dairy-free versions, you can substitute the butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives, but keep in mind the texture and taste will differ somewhat. The frosting might be less creamy but still delicious with some tweaks in sweetness and consistency.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to recipes whenever I want something that feels indulgent but isn’t complicated. I love that you can prep most of it ahead, and the fresh raspberry frosting always gets compliments. Give it a try—you’ll see why my family can’t stop going crazy for these! And remember, baking is as much about fun as it is about precision, so enjoy every step and don’t hesitate to make the recipe your own.
Print
Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 0 minutes (including chilling time)
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 8 minutes (including chilling and baking)
- Yield: 14 sandwich cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these decadent Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies featuring rich cocoa cookies filled with a luscious raspberry cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced with a hint of tart raspberry and creamy sweetness, these cookies are chilled, baked to perfection, and beautifully layered for a gourmet treat.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cookies
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen (not in syrup)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 oz full-fat cream cheese, brick style
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture about half at a time, until just incorporated. The dough will be sticky. Stir in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the dough: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight to firm up the dough.
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy removal and cleanup.
- Form cookies: Scoop the chilled dough and shape into balls about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons in size (slightly smaller than a golf ball). Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets; you should get around 28 cookies.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookie tops look set but still soft. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks.
- Make raspberry puree: Add the raspberries to a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Pour the puree through a metal sifter to remove seeds, using the back of a spoon to press it through.
- Reduce the raspberry puree: Transfer the strained puree to a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring continuously. Continue boiling gently until the mixture reduces and thickens to a jam-like consistency, about a few tablespoons remaining. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Prepare the frosting base: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, then add the cream cheese and beat until creamy and well combined.
- Add powdered sugar and salt: With mixer on low, mix in about 1 cup of powdered sugar and the salt until combined.
- Incorporate raspberry puree: Mix in 1 tablespoon of the cooled reduced raspberry puree, ensuring it is fully cooled to prevent melting the frosting.
- Finish the frosting: Continue adding the remaining powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition and incorporating 1 extra tablespoon of reduced raspberry puree to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of the raspberry cream cheese frosting on the bottom side of one cooled cookie. Top with a second cookie to form a sandwich. Repeat to make about 14 sandwich cookies in total.
Notes
- Chilling the cookie dough is essential for texture and flavor development. Preparing the dough the night before and baking the next day is recommended.
- If short on time, substitute fresh raspberry puree and reduction with 1-2 tablespoons of seedless raspberry preserves or jam. Skip the puree reduction steps and add preserves directly to the frosting.
- Store the sandwich cookies in the refrigerator to maintain freshness due to the cream cheese-based frosting. They will keep well for 3-4 days chilled.
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients, especially the egg, butter, and cream cheese, to ensure smooth mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg