Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the best recipes, tips, and tricks for baking delicious treats. Today, we are going to show you how to make pillow cookies, one of our favorite desserts. Pillow cookies are soft and fluffy cookies that have a surprise filling inside. They are like little pillows of heaven that melt in your mouth. You can fill them with anything you like, such as brownies, jam, chocolate, or nuts. They are easy to make and fun to eat. In this article, we will give you everything you need to know about pillow cookies, including the history, the ingredients, the methods, and some variations. We will also answer some frequently asked questions and provide you with a simple and tasty recipe. So, let’s get started!
Pillow cookies are not a new invention. They have been around for a long time, and they have different names and versions in different countries. For example, in Italy, they are called “bocconotti”, which means “little bites”. They are made with a pastry dough and filled with chocolate or jam[^1^]. In Poland, they are called “rogaliki”, which means “little horns”. They are made with a yeast dough and filled with nuts or poppy seeds[^2^]. In America, they are also known as “thumbprint cookies”, which are made with a buttery dough and filled with jam or chocolate[^3^]. However, the most popular version of pillow cookies today is the one that uses chocolate chip cookie dough and brownie batter as the base and the filling. This version was popularized by Bakerella[^4^], a famous blogger who is known for her creative baking ideas.
What You Need to Make Pillow Cookies
The Ingredients
To make pillow cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- Brownie mix: You can use your favorite brand or make your own from scratch. You will only need about 10 small brownies for the filling, so you can enjoy the rest as a separate treat.
- Butter: You will need unsalted butter at room temperature for the cookie dough.
- Brown sugar: You will need light brown sugar for the cookie dough. It will give the cookies a nice caramel flavor and a chewy texture.
- Eggs: You will need two large eggs plus one egg yolk for the cookie dough. The extra yolk will make the cookies richer and softer.
- Vanilla: You will need vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for the cookie dough. It will add a lovely aroma and flavor to the cookies.
- Flour: You will need all-purpose flour for the cookie dough. It will provide the structure and stability for the cookies.
- Baking powder, salt, and baking soda: You will need these leavening agents and seasonings for the cookie dough. They will help the cookies rise and spread evenly.
- Chocolate chips: You will need mini semi-sweet chocolate chips for the cookie dough. They will add some extra chocolate goodness to the cookies.
- Powdered sugar: You will need powdered sugar for dusting the cookies after they are baked. It will give them a nice snowy look and a sweet finish.
The Equipment
To make pillow cookies, you will need the following equipment:
- A food processor: You will need a food processor to blend the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt together. This will ensure a smooth and uniform texture for the cookie dough.
- A knife: You will need a knife to scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean if you are using vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract.
- A mixer: You will need a mixer to cream the butter and sugar together and to add the eggs and vanilla. This will create a fluffy and light base for the cookie dough.
- A spatula: You will need a spatula to fold in the chocolate chips into the cookie dough.
- A baking sheet: You will need a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper to bake the cookies on. You can also use a mini whoopie pie pan if you have one. It will help the cookies hold their shape better.
- A measuring cup: You will need a measuring cup to scoop out half a cup of cookie dough for each cookie. This will ensure even and consistent sizes for the cookies.
- A cooling rack: You will need a cooling rack to transfer the cookies after they are baked. This will prevent them from getting soggy or overcooked on the bottom.
- A sieve: You will need a sieve to sprinkle powdered sugar over the cookies before serving. This will make them look more festive and appetizing.
How to Make Pillow Cookies
The Steps
Here are the steps to make pillow cookies:
- Make the brownies according to the package directions or your own recipe. Let them cool completely and cut out about 10 one-inch squares. Save the rest for another use.
- In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Pulse until well mixed.
- If using vanilla bean paste, split the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds with a knife. Add them to the food processor and pulse again.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with a mixer until creamy and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract if using instead of vanilla bean paste and beat again.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until a smooth dough forms.
- Stir in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray a mini whoopie pie pan with cooking spray.
- Scoop out half a cup of dough for each cookie and place them on the prepared baking sheet or pan. Make a deep indentation in the center of each dough ball and place a brownie square in it. Press down slightly so that the dough covers the edges of the brownie.
- Shape the dough around the brownie to form a ball and smooth out any cracks.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly golden on the edges.
- Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet or pan before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Sift some powdered sugar over the cookies before serving or storing.
The Tips
Here are some tips to make pillow cookies even better:
- You can use any filling you like for the pillow cookies, such as jam, nutella, peanut butter, caramel, or marshmallow. Just make sure it is not too runny or sticky, otherwise it might leak out of the cookies.
- You can also use different kinds of cookie dough for the pillow cookies, such as oatmeal, peanut butter, or sugar cookie dough. Just adjust the baking time accordingly.
- You can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to three months and bake them whenever you want. Just let them thaw slightly before baking and add a few minutes to the baking time.
- You can store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
A Breakdown of Pillow Cookies
Pillow cookies are not only delicious, but also nutritious. Here is a breakdown of their nutritional value per serving (one cookie):
| Calories | Carbohydrates | Fat | Protein | Fiber | Sugar |
|———-|—————|—–|———|——-|——-|
| 535 | 74 g | 25 g | 6 g | 2 g | 47 g |
As you can see, pillow cookies are high in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sugar. They are not exactly diet-friendly, but they are perfect for an occasional treat or a special occasion. They also provide some protein and fiber, which can help you feel fuller and more satisfied. To balance out your diet, you can pair them with some fresh fruits or low-fat milk. You can also reduce the portion size or share them with someone else. Remember, moderation is key!
FAQs About Pillow Cookies
Pillow cookies are soft and fluffy cookies that have a surprise filling inside. They are like little pillows of heaven that melt in your mouth. You can fill them with anything you like, such as brownies, jam, chocolate, or nuts. They are easy to make and fun to eat.
To make pillow cookies, you need to make some brownies and cut out small squares for the filling. Then you need to make some chocolate chip cookie dough and refrigerate it for an hour. Next, you need to scoop out half a cup of dough for each cookie and place them on a baking sheet. You need to make a deep indentationin the center of each dough ball and place a brownie square in it. Press down slightly so that the dough covers the edges of the brownie. Shape the dough around the brownie to form a ball and smooth out any cracks. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly golden on the edges. Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack. Sift some powdered sugar over the cookies before serving or storing.
You can store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
If you want to reheat pillow cookies, you can microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds or bake them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 to 10 minutes. This will make them warm and gooey again.
Yes, you can make pillow cookies gluten-free by using gluten-free brownie mix and gluten-free flour. You can also use almond flour or oat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Just make sure to check the labels of all the ingredients for any gluten traces.
Yes, you can make pillow cookies vegan by using vegan brownie mix and vegan butter. You can also use flax eggs or chia eggs instead of regular eggs. Just mix one tablespoon of ground flax seeds or chia seeds with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for 15 minutes before using. You can also use dairy-free chocolate chips and powdered sugar.
Yes, you can make pillow cookies keto-friendly by using keto brownie mix and keto cookie dough. You can also use almond flour or coconut flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also use erythritol or monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar and powdered sugar. You can also use sugar-free chocolate chips.
There are many variations of pillow cookies that you can try, such as:
- Peanut butter and jelly pillow cookies: Use peanut butter cookie dough and fill them with jam or jelly.
- Lemon and blueberry pillow cookies: Use lemon cookie dough and fill them with blueberry jam or fresh blueberries.
- Cinnamon roll pillow cookies: Use sugar cookie dough and fill them with cinnamon sugar and cream cheese frosting.
- Oreo pillow cookies: Use chocolate cookie dough and fill them with Oreo cream filling or crushed Oreos.
- Red velvet and cream cheese pillow cookies: Use red velvet cookie dough and fill them with cream cheese frosting or cheesecake batter.
Where can I find more recipes like this?
If you liked this recipe, you can find more recipes like this on our blog. We have a lot of other delicious and creative baking ideas that you can try, such as:
- Cake pops: Bite-sized balls of cake coated with chocolate or candy melts.
- Cupcake cones: Cupcakes baked in ice cream cones and topped with frosting and sprinkles.
- Pie pops: Mini pies on a stick filled with fruit or custard.
- Brownie bites: Mini brownies topped with frosting, nuts, or candy.
- Cookie cups: Cookies baked in mini muffin pans and filled with pudding, whipped cream, or fruit.
You can also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates on our new recipes, tips, and tricks. We hope you enjoy our blog and happy baking!
Conclusion
Pillow cookies are one of the best desserts ever. They are soft and fluffy cookies that have a surprise filling inside. They are easy to make and fun to eat. You can fill them with anything you like, such as brownies, jam, chocolate, or nuts. You can also use different kinds of cookie dough for the base, such as oatmeal, peanut butter, or sugar cookie dough. You can also make them gluten-free, vegan, or keto-friendly by using alternative ingredients. You can also try different variations of pillow cookies, such as peanut butter and jelly, lemon and blueberry, cinnamon roll, Oreo, or red velvet and cream cheese. Pillow cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether it is a birthday party, a picnic, a potluck, or a cozy night in. They are sure to impress your family and friends with their taste and appearance. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and start making some pillow cookies today!