A pair of tender chocolate swirl cookies piped into elegant rosettes and filled with luxurious chocolate ganache—these sandwich cookies are both visually stunning and irresistibly rich, perfect for gifting or savoring with afternoon tea.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A dramatic chocolate-on-chocolate treat that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture balanced by creamy ganache filling.
Piped shapes let you present a bakery-worthy dessert with minimal effort.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookies:

unsalted butter, softened
powdered sugar
vanilla extract
salt
unsweetened cocoa powder
all-purpose flour

For the filling:

semi-sweet chocolate chips
heavy cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla extract and salt; mix until fully combined.
Sift in cocoa powder and flour. Mix gently just until the dough forms.
Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Pipe swirls or rosettes about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until set. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the filling: heat chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl in 20‑second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Allow the ganache to cool slightly until spreadable.
Spread ganache on the flat side of half the cookies, then sandwich with remaining halves.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 24 sandwich cookies (12 filled sandwiches).

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Chill/cool time: 20 minutes
Total time: around 50 minutes

Variations

Mint Chocolate: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to the ganache.
Orange Zest: Stir in 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest into the dough.
Nut Crunch: Stir ⅓ cup of finely chopped toasted hazelnuts or almonds into the ganache.

Storage/reheating

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them and allow to come to room temperature before serving. Ganache-filled cookies can be gently warmed for 5–10 seconds in the microwave to soften the filling prior to serving.

FAQs

What makes these cookies swirl instead of just flat cookies?

The dough is piped through a star tip, creating ridges and swirls that give a refined look and delicate texture.

Can I pipe these without a piping bag?

You can use a zip‑top bag with the corner snipped, but piping bags give cleaner, more consistent results.

Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi‑sweet?

Yes—use dark chocolate chips for a richer, more intense filling flavor.

How do I tell when the cookies are done baking?

They should be set (no longer glossy) and slightly firm to the touch, without becoming crisp.

Can this dough be made ahead?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours, then bring it to room temperature before piping and baking.

Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Absolutely—freeze the baked, unfilled cookies in a single layer, then fill after thawing.

Why did my ganache turn grainy?

It may have overheated. Heat gently in short intervals, stirring thoroughly.

How do I fix runny ganache for piping?

Let it cool at room temperature; it will thicken over time. You can also refrigerate briefly.

Can I use Dutch‑process cocoa?

Yes, but you may need to slightly reduce flour by 1–2 tablespoons to maintain texture balance.

What’s the best way to spread the ganache evenly?

Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon; aim for a thin, even layer to avoid overwhelm.

Conclusion

These double chocolate swirl sandwich cookies balance elegance and indulgence, showcasing a refined piped design, a luxuriously creamy filling, and a melt‑in‑your‑mouth texture. Whether served at a gathering or enjoyed quietly at home, they’re a chocolate lover’s delight—simple enough for everyday baking, yet special enough for celebration.