The *Best* Christmas Eve Cookie Sarnies to Leave Out For Santa (Read: You)

Chocolate Crackle Cookies were already a huge hit in the shop, but the first time we took two and sandwiched them together with salted caramel buttercream, chocolate ganache and oozing caramel, we knew we could never go back! If you’re pushed for time, the cookies are great on their own but if you want to do like we do, you’ll throw everything at them, including smashed pretzels for added crunch.

FOR THE SALTED CARAMEL FILLINGS

Make the Salted Caramel as directed on page 42 and allow to cool.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a medium mixing bowl, beat the butter on a high speed for 5 minutes until it has turned very pale and whippy. Add the icing sugar in two stages, beating for 3–5 minutes after each addition. Add 3 tablespoons of the salted caramel, adding more to taste, and beat it into the buttercream for 3 minutes. Taste and add extra salt if you feel it needs it.

Cover the remaining salted caramel and pop it back in the fridge. Cover the buttercream and leave it at room temperature for later.

FOR THE CRACKLE COOKIES

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, then add to the wet ingredients and fold through. Fold in the cooled, melted chocolate and finally the milk until all the ingredients are well combined and you have a fairly wet dough. Cover the bowl and pop it into the fridge for about 1 hour.

Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan) and line 2 baking sheets with greaseproof paper.

Measure out 25g nuggets of dough and roll them into balls, placing them 10cm/4in apart on the baking sheets to allow for spreading. Place a pretzel on top of each of the balls, pressing them down slightly. Bake for 12 minutes, then remove from the oven and leave to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make your Dark Chocolate Ganache as directed on page 52, so that it has time to set to a spreadable consistency.

For more baking inspo and a 10/10 gift idea, pick up a copy of the first ever recipe book from Jemma and the C&D team here, featuring over 90 recipes as well as a whole host of tips and tricks they’ve learned from their years of serving unique sweet treats, made from the finest ingredients, baked fresh to order.