Homemade Milano Cookies Recipe: Buttery Bliss in Every Bite

Sweet and delicate Milano cookies have captivated dessert lovers with their elegant simplicity and irresistible charm.

These refined treats originate from a classic European baking tradition that celebrates smooth textures and subtle flavors.

Crisp wafer-like cookies sandwiched with velvety chocolate create a harmonious balance of delightful sensations.

Their thin, golden layers offer a delicate crunch that melts gracefully on your palate.

Crafting these beloved cookies requires precision, patience, and a genuine passion for fine baking techniques.

Rich chocolate filling reinvents the delicate cookies into a sophisticated dessert experience that feels both nostalgic and luxurious.

Baking these iconic treats at home will transport you to a world of culinary elegance.

Milano Cookies Have That Perfect Crunch and Cream

• Craft Delicate Sandwich Cookies: These Milano cookies offer a perfect balance of crisp, thin wafers with smooth chocolate ganache, creating a gourmet treat that rivals store-bought versions.
• Quick and Elegant Dessert: Surprisingly simple to make, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into an impressive, professional-looking cookie that's sure to wow friends and family at gatherings.
• Customizable Chocolate Delight: The ganache filling allows for endless creativity, letting you experiment with different chocolate types or add subtle flavor variations like orange zest or mint extract.
• Restaurant-Quality Texture: The unique baking method of crisping cookies in a turned-off oven ensures a delicate, light texture that's crisp on the edges and perfectly tender in the center.

Ingredients Needed for Milano Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the delicate cookie base.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates richness and contributes to the cookie's tender crumb.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, light texture.
• Egg White, Egg: Bind the ingredients and provide structure to the cookie.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavor to the cookie.
• Melted Butter: Ensures extra moisture and richness in the dough.

• Chocolate: Provides a rich, smooth ganache filling for the sandwich cookies.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create a smooth, glossy chocolate ganache.

How to Make Milano Cookies at Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

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

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Egg white
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Melted butter

Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Form Cookie Dough

Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

Step 5: Pipe Cookie Shapes

Fill piping bag with large ½” round tip. Pipe 2-inch dough lines on parchment, spacing two inches apart.

Step 6: Bake Cookies

Bake for 9-10 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 7: Crisp Cookies

Turn off oven, crack door open. Let cookies crisp for 10-20 minutes, monitoring to prevent over-browning.

Step 8: Make Chocolate Ganache

Melt chocolate and heavy cream in double boiler until smooth. Allow to cool completely.

Step 9: Assemble Milano Cookies

Once cookies are cool, spread ganache on half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies.

Step 10: Store Cookies

Keep in airtight container for up to 5 days.

Tips to Nail the Texture in Milano Cookies

• Perfect Piping Technique: Use a steady hand and consistent pressure when piping dough to create uniform, professional-looking Milano cookies.
• Temperature Control: Watch cookies closely during the final crisping stage to prevent over-browning, which can make them bitter or burnt.
• Ganache Consistency: Let chocolate ganache cool completely before sandwiching cookies to ensure a smooth, even coating that sets properly.
• Precise Measurements: Weigh ingredients for accuracy, especially flour, to maintain the delicate texture of these classic sandwich cookies.
• Storage Savvy: Store cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to preserve their crisp texture and prevent sticking.

Store and Reheat Milano Cookies Properly

• Refrigerate: Place Milano cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Cookies will maintain quality for 2-3 months when frozen.
• Thaw and Refresh: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Crisp them briefly in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their texture.

What to Pair with Milano Cookies

• Pair with Espresso Delight: The rich, intense espresso perfectly complements the delicate Milano cookie's chocolate filling, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the cookie's buttery texture.
• Match with Dessert Wine: A chilled glass of Moscato d'Asti or late harvest Riesling creates a harmonious balance, with its sweet notes highlighting the chocolate ganache and delicate cookie base.
• Serve with Cold Milk Sensation: Classic cold milk provides a creamy, smooth backdrop that softens the crisp cookie and brings out the subtle vanilla and butter flavors, creating a nostalgic and comforting pairing.
• Create a Chocolate Lovers' Moment: A small glass of dark chocolate liqueur intensifies the ganache's richness, offering a decadent experience that elevates the Milano cookie to a gourmet treat.

Flavor Variations on Milano Cookies

• Citrus Punch Milano: Add lemon or orange zest to the cookie dough for a bright, tangy flavor. Mix in some finely grated citrus peel before piping to create a refreshing citrus-infused cookie that pairs wonderfully with the chocolate ganache.
• Nutty Chocolate Milano: Incorporate finely chopped almonds or hazelnut meal into the cookie batter for extra texture and depth. Sprinkle crushed nuts on top of the ganache before sandwiching the cookies for a delightful crunch.
• Espresso Chocolate Milano: Dissolve a teaspoon of instant espresso powder into the melted butter before mixing into the dough. Replace the regular chocolate ganache with a rich dark chocolate and espresso ganache for a sophisticated coffee-chocolate flavor profile.
• Lavender Chocolate Milano: Mix dried culinary lavender into the cookie dough or sprinkle some lavender buds between the ganache layers. The subtle floral notes will complement the rich chocolate, creating an elegant and aromatic cookie experience.

Milano Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible Milano cookies bring Italian-inspired elegance to classic sandwich treats. Delicate vanilla wafers encase rich chocolate, creating a perfect balance of crisp texture and smooth indulgence that will captivate dessert enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Cookies Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups (150 grams) powdered sugar
• 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tablespoons (21 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (213 grams) chopped dark chocolate
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) heavy cream
• Mint extract (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare workstation by gathering all necessary baking equipment and preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift flour and salt together in a separate mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base.
3. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and powdered sugar until achieving a light, airy texture with increased volume.
4. Incorporate egg white and whole egg into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly until fully integrated.
5. Add vanilla extract and melted butter, mixing until the liquid ingredients create a smooth, consistent batter.
6. Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a delicate texture.
7. Transfer cookie dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, ensuring even distribution and smooth flow.
8. Pipe precise 2-inch linear strips of dough onto prepared parchment-lined sheets, maintaining consistent spacing between each cookie.
9. Bake cookies for 9-10 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges as an indicator of perfect doneness.
10. After baking, turn off oven and leave door slightly ajar, allowing cookies to crisp for 10-20 minutes while monitoring color development.
11. Remove cookies and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
12. Create chocolate ganache by melting chocolate and heavy cream over a double boiler, stirring until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.
13. Allow ganache to reach room temperature, ensuring proper spreading texture.
14. Spread a teaspoon of ganache onto half the cookie batch, then gently sandwich with remaining cookies.
15. Let assembled cookies rest until ganache sets and hardens naturally.
16. Store completed Milano cookies in an airtight container, preserving freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Precision matters when piping the cookie dough, ensuring uniform size and shape for consistent baking.
• Allow extra time for cooling and crisping cookies in the oven to achieve the signature delicate, crisp texture.
• Use high-quality chocolate for the ganache to elevate the overall flavor and richness of the sandwich cookies.
• Pipe dough lines with steady hand movements to create elegant, thin cookies that mimic the classic Milano style.
• Ganache will naturally thicken as it cools, creating a perfect filling that holds the sandwich cookies together.
• Store cookies in a single layer to prevent breaking the delicate, thin wafers during storage.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg