- Ingredients for the Dairy-Free Cookies:
- 200g unsalted dairy-free butter (cold, cubed)
- 100g caster sugar
- 300g plain baking flour
- A splash of ice-cold water (only if necessary)
- Cherry Jam Filling:
- 50g black cherry spread (either homemade or commercial)
- Black Vanilla Icing:
- 200g confectioner's sugar
- 1 tsp natural vanilla flavoring
- Black food dye
- Dairy-free milk, adjusted for consistency
- Creating the Cookies:
- Combine the cold butter and sugar in a bowl. Whisk until you achieve a smooth, pale consistency.
- Gradually introduce the flour, blending until a solid dough forms. If the mixture is too rigid, moisten it with a touch of ice-cold water. This mixture can be kneaded either by hand or with a kitchen machine.
- Encase the dough in cling wrap and refrigerate to set for around 40-60 minutes.
- As the dough sets, begin heating your oven to 180°C. Also, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- After refrigeration, roll the dough on a floured surface until it's roughly 1.5 cm thick. Using a cookie cutter, shape the cookies and arrange them on your prepared sheet. For half the batch, craft spaces for eyes and a nose.
- Position the cookies in the oven's center and bake for about 10-12 minutes. For even browning, consider rotating the tray midway.
- Once baked to perfection, let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet. Later, transfer them to a cooling rack.
- Icing & Decoration:
- In a bowl, blend the confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and dairy-free milk. Aim for a paste-like consistency, similar to toothpaste.
- For cookies with faces, dip their tops into the icing. Let any excess drip off, then let them dry.
- To a portion of the icing, add black food dye. Fill this colored icing into a piping bag. Use this to draw the mouth and other facial features.
- Filling & Assembly:
- Gently smear or pipe the cherry jam onto cookies without icing faces.
- Pair each jammed cookie with an iced one, pressing gently to make a sandwich. Be cautious with the jam to prevent it from seeping out.
- Enjoy your delightful cherry-centered treats!
