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These homemade Milano cookies are a delightful twist on the classic store-bought version. With a buttery, crisp cookie base and rich, velvety chocolate ganache sandwiched in between, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Their light, airy texture makes them ideal for dipping in coffee or milk. Easy to make and impressively delicious, these cookies are a perfect treat for cookie exchanges or as a sweet indulgence.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp kosher salt
8 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
1 large egg white, room temperature
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled

For the Ganache:

1 ¼ cups chopped dark chocolate
⅓ cup heavy cream
Mint extract (optional)

Directions

Prepare the Cookies:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour and salt, then set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg white, egg, and vanilla extract. Add the melted butter and mix well. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
Fit a piping bag with a ½-inch round tip and fill with cookie dough. Pipe 2-inch lines of dough, spaced 2 inches apart, on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Turn off the oven and crack the door slightly to let the cookies crisp for 10-20 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Prepare the Ganache:
While the cookies bake, heat the chocolate and heavy cream in a double boiler or microwave until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
For mint-flavored ganache, add a couple of drops of mint extract to the cream before mixing.
Assemble the Cookies:
Once the cookies are cooled, spread a teaspoon of ganache onto the bottom of one cookie, then sandwich it with another. Repeat for all cookies.
Store the completed cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrients

Calories: 169 kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 32mg
Sodium: 55mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 11g

The Perfect Cookie Base: Buttery, Crisp, and Light

The key to the success of Milano cookies lies in the perfect cookie base. These cookies have a light, crisp texture that is both delicate and satisfying. The dough is buttery, which is the hallmark of the classic Milano flavor. To achieve this texture, it’s important to balance the ratio of butter and sugar while ensuring that the dough is neither too thick nor too thin. The cookies are piped onto the baking sheet in 2-inch lines, which gives them their signature shape and ensures an even bake. The result is a crisp edge with a slightly tender center that melts in your mouth.

The butter in the dough provides richness and moisture, while the powdered sugar helps to create a light texture that isn’t overly sweet. The egg whites contribute to the airy consistency, while the egg yolks bring additional moisture to the dough. Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, adding a warm, aromatic note that pairs perfectly with the chocolate ganache. These simple ingredients combine to create a perfect cookie base that serves as the ideal vessel for the chocolate filling.

The Chocolate Ganache: Rich, Smooth, and Velvety

The chocolate ganache is what takes these Milano cookies from good to extraordinary. Made with just dark chocolate and heavy cream, the ganache is rich and velvety, adding a smooth and indulgent contrast to the crisp cookie base. The ratio of chocolate to cream ensures that the ganache is thick enough to hold its shape when spread onto the cookies but still silky and smooth enough to provide a luxurious mouthfeel.

If you’re a fan of mint chocolate, you can add a couple of drops of mint extract to the cream before mixing. This adds a refreshing twist to the classic chocolate filling, creating a minty, chocolatey indulgence that is perfect for the holiday season or any time you’re craving a little extra flavor. The beauty of the ganache is in its simplicity—dark chocolate and cream meld together into a perfect balance of sweetness and richness that is the hallmark of a truly indulgent treat.

The Beauty of Simplicity: Easy to Make and Elegant

What makes these homemade Milano cookies so great is their simplicity. While the recipe involves several steps—preparing the dough, baking the cookies, making the ganache, and assembling the cookies—each stage is relatively easy to execute. The dough comes together quickly, and the ganache is simply made by heating the chocolate and cream until smooth. After allowing the cookies to cool, all that’s left is spreading the ganache and sandwiching the cookies together, a task that’s both fun and rewarding.

Despite the relatively simple steps, the end result is a sophisticated and elegant treat. The shape of the cookies, with their perfectly piped lines, and the glossy chocolate filling give them a polished, professional look. These cookies are the perfect option for cookie exchanges or as a homemade gift for friends and family. Their elegant appearance makes them suitable for a wide range of occasions, from casual gatherings to more formal events.

Ideal for Dipping: A Perfect Companion for Coffee or Milk

The light and crisp texture of these Milano cookies make them the perfect candidate for dipping. Whether you enjoy a hot cup of coffee, tea, or milk, these cookies pair beautifully with your favorite beverage. The combination of the crispy cookie and the smooth chocolate ganache filling creates a satisfying texture that is perfect for dipping. As you dip the cookies into your drink, they soften just enough to bring out the full range of flavors, with the richness of the chocolate and the buttery cookie melding together.

The addition of mint extract to the ganache (if you choose to include it) adds another layer of complexity, making the cookies even more enjoyable when paired with a hot drink. The contrast between the warmth of the beverage and the cool, refreshing mint flavor is truly indulgent, providing a delightful balance that enhances both the cookies and the drink.

Storage and Shelf Life: Keeping Your Cookies Fresh

Once your cookies are assembled, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to five days. This makes them a perfect make-ahead treat for gatherings or busy weeknights when you want something sweet but don’t have time to bake from scratch. The cookies keep their crisp texture and the ganache maintains its smooth consistency for several days, so you can enjoy them at your leisure.

If you find that you have made too many cookies or simply want to keep some for later, these cookies can also be frozen. Simply arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container and store them for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature, and they’ll taste just as fresh as the day they were made.

A Treat for Every Occasion: Versatility and Appeal

These homemade Milano cookies are versatile enough to be enjoyed on a wide range of occasions. They’re perfect for a sweet afternoon snack, a dessert at a dinner party, or a treat to share at a holiday gathering. Their delicate texture and elegant presentation make them a great choice for special occasions like weddings, anniversaries, or birthdays. Because the recipe is easily customizable (you can add mint or other flavorings to the ganache), these cookies can be tailored to suit any flavor preference or seasonal event.

Additionally, the cookies can be made in advance, which makes them an ideal choice for holiday cookie exchanges or as a thoughtful homemade gift. The simplicity of the ingredients and the elegance of the final product mean that you can make these cookies for any occasion without feeling like you’re spending too much time in the kitchen.

Conclusion: A Simple yet Luxurious Homemade Treat

In conclusion, homemade Milano cookies are the perfect combination of simplicity and indulgence. With a buttery, crisp cookie base and a rich, velvety chocolate ganache filling, these cookies are both elegant and satisfying. They are easy to make and store well, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them with a hot cup of coffee, sharing them with friends and family, or gifting them to loved ones, these cookies are sure to impress. The balance of flavors and textures, from the crispy cookie to the smooth chocolate, makes these Milano cookies a truly special treat that will delight anyone lucky enough to try them.