Stareos

Directions

1. 1
   Sift the flour, salt and cocoa powder together and set aside.
2. 2
   Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and mix on low speed until blended, about 15 seconds.
3. 3
   Add the sifted dry ingredients, and continue mixing on low speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until ingredients form a dough.
4. 4
   Put dough on a lightly floured board and roll to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
5. 5
   With a 2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut 36 cookies.
6. 6
   Scraps can be re-rolled once.
7. 7
   Line one or more baking sheets with parchment paper, and put cookies on them.
8. 8
   Cookies should not touch but can be close together because they do not spread in baking.
9. 9
   Put baking sheets in freezer 1 hour, stacking if necessary.
10. 10
    Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
11. 11
    Bake the cookies 1 hour, until firm.
12. 12
    Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet, at least 2 hours, before filling.
13. 13
    Combine mascarpone, sugar and vanilla in a bowl.
14. 14
    Spread about a tablespoon of filling on the bottom sides of 18 cookies.
15. 15
    Top each with another cookie to make a sandwich.