Vanilla Bean Shortbread Sandwiches with Orange Buttercream

Photo Credit: http://www.bhg.com

Vanilla Bean Shortbread Sandwiches with Orange Buttercream

Original Recipe: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies


Ingredients:

• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 recipe Orange Buttercream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. If using vanilla bean, scrape seeds from pod. Discard pod. Reserve half of the vanilla seeds or 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract for Orange Buttercream.
2. In a large bowl stir together flour and granulated sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and the remaining vanilla seeds or extract until mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling. Knead until smooth. Form into a ball.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into an 8x6-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Using a fluted pastry wheel or a knife, cut into twenty-four 2x1-inch rectangles. Place rectangles 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.
5. Transfer Orange Buttercream to a pastry bag fitted with a small closed-star tip. Pipe frosting on bottoms of half of the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies, bottom sides down.