Spitzbuben

These cookies were in every bakery that we visited in Adelboden and Interlaken, Switzerland last summer. Along with the green-iced Carac Tarts, they livened up every case, and we even spotted them pre-packaged in vending machines... I got a similar cookie cutter off Amazon, but at Christmas time, just used a fondant circle for eyes, and made a smile "cutter" out of a cut-up dollar-store plastic cutting mat. You could also add a circle nose from the eye cut-outs if you make large Spitzbuben... or, just go with any other shape for the "window" half of the sandwich cookie.

Spitzbuben (Bratty Boys) Cookies

3/4 c. butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 ¾  c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

In an electric mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth. Then add flour, baking powder and salt to bowl and mix until a soft dough comes together. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for about 30 mins. Roll dough and cut out circles. You’ll make faces in half of your circles (or any shapes) – like a Linzer Tart cookie. Spitzbuben have eyes and a big smile. Once they are baked and cooled, you’ll spread jam/jelly between two cookies. 

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 8 minutes. Place cookies about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.