Sweet Spring Sandwich Cookies, and Food Blogger Bake Sale

So I have been thinking about cookies a lot.  Well actually not just cookies, I have been thinking about candies, and marshmallows, and cupcakes... really all sorts of baked goods and treats.  I have had cookies on the brain because I have been brainstorming what would be the perfect cookie to have at a bake sale.  

The Food Blogger Bake Sale is a national event that was started last year by Gaby of What's Gaby Cooking to benefit Share Our Strength and their efforts to end childhood hunger.  Check out the Share our Strength website for more information on this cause, and to see how last year's bake sales across the country raised more than $1 million dollars.  


This year, the Food Blogger Bake Sale will take place on Saturday, May 14th in cities all across the country.  If you don't live in the greater San Diego area, visit Gaby's site for a list of cities and states that are hosting bake sales to find a location near you.  If you are lucky enough to live in sunny San Diego, then you can come satiate your sweet tooth and support the cause by coming to our Bake Sale!


The San Diego Food Blogger Bake Sale is organized by my lovely friend Marie of Meandering Eats, and a whole bunch of other amazing food bloggers are participating.  Due to a previously planned event, my smiling face won't be there to greet you, BUT I will be sending delicious baked goodies to the sale.  After hearing all the treats other bakers will be making, trust me - You do not want to miss this.  So here are the details: 

Date:

Saturday, May 14th 2011

Time:

10AM-2PM

Place: 

Great News! Discount Cookware and School
Pacific Plaza
1788 Garnet Avenue

San Diego, CA 92109

What to bring:

A smile!

Dollar bills - all treats will be priced on the dollar! 

Hope you can make it to the event, if you have any pertinent questions or would like to participate or donate, don't hesitate to contact me directly by email.

So obviously I was thinking of baking these lovely Sweet Spring Creme Sandwiches cookies for the bake sale, because they are delicious, have a bright lemon flavor and a happy yellow face.  The basic recipe for the cookies is my Grandmother's spritz recipe, which I usually only make at Christmas.  I had an epiphany last week when I realized these spritz cookies would be perfect for spring topped with a little yellow or lavender sanding sugar - filled with light lemon creme they transform from a holiday treat into beautiful spring blossoms.

So I think I am set on making these, but what else should I make?  Tell me, what cookies, candies, or other baked goods would you like to see at the bake sale? 

One year ago: Ginger Spice Cookies

You might also like: Created by Diane's Italian Iced Cookies

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Sweet Spring Creme Sandwich Cookies

Find the cookie recipe here - My Grandma's Spritz Cookies.  

Creme Filling (similar to Oreo Creme Filling)

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4-1/2 tsp lemon extract

In the bowl of a mixer, cream together the vegetable shortening and the unsalted butter.  Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon extract and blend until creamy.  (Or, if you don't have a stand mixer, you can mix all the ingredients together by hand.  Mix until smooth.)

To fill the cookies, add the filling to a pastry bag without a tip (or use a ziplock bag with the end cut off) and pipe out filling onto the center of one cookie, then top with a second cookie, pressing down to spread filling.  Serve immediately, or store refrigerated.