1. Prepare the Cookie Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure they bake evenly.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the ingredients for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is essential for incorporating air into the dough, which helps the cookies have a soft, chewy texture.

Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense cookies. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky, but easy to handle.

Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips. You can use a spatula or mix them in with the electric mixer on low speed. The mini chocolate chips are ideal for these mini cookies because they distribute evenly throughout the dough, giving each cookie the perfect amount of chocolatey goodness.

2. Form the Cookies

Once the dough is ready, use a small cookie scoop or a teaspoon to portion out the dough into small, evenly sized balls. Each ball should be about 1 inch in diameter. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for slight spreading during baking.

Gently flatten each ball of dough with the back of a spoon or your fingers. This will help the cookies bake more evenly and create a nice, round shape. If you prefer, you can leave them as balls for a slightly puffier look, but they will be more like little rounded bites rather than traditional flat cookies.

3. Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Keep an eye on them toward the end of the baking time to ensure they don’t overbake. The cookies will continue to firm up a bit as they cool, so it’s important to remove them from the oven when they still look slightly soft in the center.

Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking apart.

4. Prepare the Filling

While the cookies are cooling, you can prepare the filling. In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until it’s creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream (or milk) to the filling mixture and continue mixing until everything is fully incorporated. If you prefer a thicker filling, you can add a little more powdered sugar. For a slightly lighter, fluffier texture, add more cream or milk.

If desired, you can add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor and create a salted caramel effect. The salty-sweet contrast is especially delicious with chocolate chip cookies.

Once the filling is ready, transfer it to a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off. This will allow for easy and even distribution of the filling between the cookies.

5. Assemble the Sandwich Cookies

Once the cookies have cooled completely, it’s time to assemble the sandwich cookies. Take one cookie and pipe a small amount of filling onto the flat side of the cookie. Be generous but not too much, as you don’t want the filling to overflow when you press the cookies together.

Take another cookie and place it, flat side down, on top of the filling. Gently press the two cookies together to form a sandwich. Repeat this process with the remaining cookies and filling.

For an extra touch, you can roll the edges of the sandwich cookies in mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed nuts for added texture and flavor.

6. Chill the Cookies (Optional)

If you have time, place the assembled sandwich cookies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the filling set and makes the cookies easier to handle. It also allows the flavors to meld together, making the cookies even more delicious.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Once the filling has set and the cookies are chilled (if desired), your Mini Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies are ready to serve! Enjoy them as a sweet treat with a glass of milk, or package them up for a fun gift or party favor.