Italian style sandwich cookies

Yields approximately 24 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature (2 sticks)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal or polenta
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 orange zested

Ingredients for orange filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature (1 stick)
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 orange zested
• Pinch salt

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl mix together the butter and sugar until light in color and fluffy in consistency. In another bowl stir together the flour, cornmeal/polenta, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and orange zest. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir to combine using a wooden spoon. Place the dough on a sheet of plastic wrap. Press the dough into a 1-inch high round. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. Roll out the dough to between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. Use a 1 3/4 inch round cookie cutter to cut out dough. Bake on a heavy baking sheet at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Place the baking sheets on a wire rack to cool cookies. Fort the orange filling, combine the butter, powdered sugar, orange zest, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix the ingredients together. To assemble the cookie sandwiches, place about 1 teaspoon of the orange filling on a cookie. Top with another cookie and press the cookies together.