Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients for the cookies
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2 ¼ sticks) butter
2 1/4 cups (1 pound) sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups plus 1 T (12 ounces) flour
1/2 cup plus 2 T (2.4 ounces) cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

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Ingredients for the filling:
1 1/4 cups (21/2 sticks) butter
6 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 T plus 3/4 teaspoon water
1 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparing the cookies:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Beat in the vanilla.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

Beat in the dry ingredients, a spoonful at a time, until incorporated to form the cookie dough. Scrape the bowl partway through to make sure the ingredients are fully mixed. Cover and refrigerate the dough until chilled.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized pieces, and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten each cookie slightly, and bake each sheet until the cookies are set, 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove and cool before filling.

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Preparing the filling:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a medium bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla, water and salt. Scoop 1 generous tablespoon of filling onto one cookie, then top with a second, pressing together until the filling comes to the edge.

Makes about 30 cookie sandwiches