Cookies...With Bling

Go figure that my love of sequins and all things sparkly would eventually find its way to food. These little balls of sugary glitter goodness would be perfect at any soiree—just coordinate the color of the glitter with the theme or occasion. 

for the cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
sanding sugar, in assorted colors

for the filling
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon honey

-Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment.

-Beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down side of bowl as necessary.  Beat in vanilla.  Reduce speed to low; add flour, and mix just until combined.  Shape into 3/4-inch balls (chill dough if too sticky).

-Place sanding sugar in shallow bowls. Roll each ball in sanding sugar, and place on baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.  If you find that the sugar won’t stick, lightly wet one hand, and roll the cookie first in your hand just to dampen, and then roll in sugar.

-Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are lightly golden, 15 to 18 minutes. let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

-While the cookies cool, make the filling by beating all ingredients by hand or with an electric mixer on medium high speed until smooth.

- Spread two cookies with just enough filling to allow them to stick together.

{from A Whisk and a Spoon}