Craving homemade crispy, buttery cookies with a rich milk chocolate filling? I recommend you try this Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies copycat recipe—not by buying from the store, but by making it at home.
These classic sandwich cookies are known for their delicate texture and creamy chocolate filling.
In this post, I will share a step-by-step homemade Milano cookie recipe, tips to customize flavors, and the best pairing options to enhance your snacking experience.
Why Should You Try Milano Cookies?
You should try the Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies recipe. If you like crispy cookies, milk, chocolate filling, chocolate, and buttery flavor, you will get all these three things in one bite.
And the reason why I recommend making these cookies at home is because when you make the recipe by yourself, you can customize it and make different flavors of cookies,
For example, you can use zest for citrus flavor; you can swap milk chocolate with dark chocolate.
You can adjust the filling, like making it more thicker or thin, based on your preference.
Besides this, homemade cookies are prepared without preservatives. So your cookies will be fresh.
Moreover, you can impress your friends and family members by serving them a treat that you have crafted yourself.
Your guests will appreciate it and will look at the detail in every cookie.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Milano Cookies
Here are all the essential ingredients you need to make these delightful homemade Milano cookies with a rich chocolate ganache filling.
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: You should use high-quality unsalted butter for the best flavor. And make sure to soften it at room temperature so it can be creamed with powdered sugar.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: It will make the dough sweet, prevent lumps, and give it a light dough texture.
- 3 large egg whites: It will also create light air consistency in the dough. So avoid egg yolk; just use the white part. And make sure you keep egg white at room temperature before blending them into a mixture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This is important to enhance the flavor of cookie dough and to balance the cookie’s sweetness.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: It will give the structure to cookies.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: It will balance sweetness and enhance other ingredients’ flavors. But make sure to use salt in precise amounts.
For the Milk Chocolate Filling:
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips (or high-quality milk chocolate bars): If you want to recreate authentic Milano cookies, then use high-quality milk chocolate. Otherwise, you can also use any other.
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream: It’s smooth and rich, so it’ll create a ganache-like filling.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Milano Cookies
Here’s the step-by-step guide to making Pepperidge Farm Milano Milk Chocolate cookies at home.
Make sure you follow each step carefully, from making dough to assembling cookies.
Make the Cookie Dough
- Cream the Butter and Powdered Sugar: Take a large bowl and beat softened butter and powdered sugar together until this mixture becomes light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or hand.
- Add the Egg Whites One at a Time: Add eggs one by one at a time and mix. Egg whites will give the structure of your cookie and make a crisp edge and tender interior.
- Mix in the Vanilla Extract: Once you have mixed egg whites, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually Incorporate the Flour and Salt: Slowly add the all-purpose flour and salt into that wet mixture and start mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Once everything is ready, you will need to cover the dough-prepared bowl with plastic wrap and keep that in a refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilled dough will make it easier to roll out without spreading too much when you bake cookies.
Shape your Cookies
- Preheat Your Oven: It needs to be around 350°F (175°C); plus, prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut the Dough Into Rectangles: You can use a rectangular cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut the dough into 2-inch by 1-inch rectangles.
Bake Cookies
- Place the Cookies on the Baking Sheet: Arrange the dough rectangles on the prepared baking sheets, but make sure there is space between each piece.
- Bake the Cookies: Now, bake these cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. However, you can also look at cookie edges, which will turn lightly golden.
- Cool the Cookies Completely: Once cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
Prepare the Milk Chocolate Filling
- Combine the Chocolate and Heavy Cream: Take a microwave-safe bowl and combine 1 cup of milk chocolate chips (or chopped milk chocolate bars) with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream.
- Melt the Chocolate: Keep that chocolate and cream mixture in the microwave at 20-second intervals. Make sure to stir the mixture between them. Ensure there are no lumps and the chocolate becomes like a smooth paste.
- Achieve the Perfect Consistency: Once melted, let the ganache sit for a few minutes. It’ll make this filling thick.
Assemble Cookies
- Pair the Cookies by Size: Once cookies are fully cooled, you’ll have to pair them by size.
- Apply the Milk Chocolate Filling: You’ll need a piping bag or a small spatula, then you need to apply that milk chocolate ganache onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Sandwich the Cookies Together: Take a second cookie on top of the filled one to create a sandwich. Then, press lightly so that the ganache can spread properly.
- Let the Filling Set: let these assembled cookies sit for about 10 minutes.
Ingredient Substitutes for Dietary Needs
If you’ve dietary restrictions or just some ingredients aren’t available, here are some alternatives you can try.
- Gluten-free: Instead of using all-purpose flour, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-free: Instead of using unsalted butter, you can use high-quality vegan butter. For chocolate filling, use a dairy-free chocolate chip or bar, and replace heavy cream with coconut cream.
- Lower Sugar: Don’t use powdered sugar; just consider using erythritol; it’ll reduce calories and make homemade cookies healthier.
- Dark Chocolate: If you don’t want too many sweets but need rich flavor, then use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
Using these substitutes for our original recipe and ingredients, you will still have the same recipe.
But yes, if you use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, you will have a rich chocolate flavor.
Tips for the Best Homemade Milano Cookies
Want to make the best homemade Milano cookies?
Follow these pro baking tips to achieve crispy, bakery-style Milano cookies with the perfect buttery texture and creamy chocolate filling.
- Chill the dough Thoroughly: Make sure to cool down your cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. It is important to prevent extra spreading when you make cookies (while shaping).
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking.
- Avoid Overmixing: Once you have mixed flour and salt together, then do not overmix it at all. It will develop too much gluten. Just make sure they’re properly incorporated.
- Perfect Ganache Consistency: The milk chocolate filling needs to be smooth and spreadable. It shouldn’t be too thick or too thin. If it is thick, keep it in the microwave for a minute and stir it. And if it is thin, then allow it to rest for a few times.
Nutrition Value of Homemade Milano Cookies
Here’s an approx breakdown of the nutritional content per homemade Pepperidge Farm Milano Milk Chocolate serving (2 cookies):
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
Remember, the exact nutrient value can be different, especially when you substitute ingredients.
For example, If you replace heavy cream with coconut cream, the calorie amount will be reduced.
Just like that, you can also reduce sugar, change flavor, etc.
Why Homemade Milano Cookies Are Better Than Store-Bought
When you make Milano cookies at home, it comes with several benefits:
The first reason why homemade Milano cookies are better than store-bought ones is because they are fresh and more customized.
When you are making it at home, you have everything in your control.
For example, you adjust sweetness and experiment with chocolate filling, like I did by adding crushed pistachios.
More importantly, you can use high-quality ingredients for yourself, as most food companies do not use high-quality ingredients.
And that’s because their end goal is to earn money by selling their goods, not your health.
Plus, when you make something by yourself, it gives self-satisfaction, and you can also share these homemade cookies with your friends.
What to Serve With Homemade Milano Milk Chocolate Cookies
If you serve these homemade Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies with some complementary treats and Beverages, it will enhance your overall experience.
Beverages to Pair With Milano Cookies:
Speaking about beverages, I personally recommend you try eating these cookies with hot chocolate.
You can even dip your cookies in the hot chocolate and eat. You will experience a little of its bitterness with the cookie’s sweetness.
Besides this, Earl Grey tea and cold milk are also good.
If you use Earl Grey tea, it will give you a citrus experience, while the cold milk is a classic pairing.
Desserts to Serve Alongside Milano Cookies:
You can sandwich a Milano cookie between two scoops of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Or you can serve it with fruit tartlets for a refreshing contrast to your buttery cookies.
Besides this, chocolate mousse is also a good option as it’s smooth and airy.
Savory Snacks:
You can have a selection of mild cheese to counterbalance the cookies’ sweetness.
Besides this, salted almonds or cashews are also good because they are crunchy.
Plus, you can have an olive tapenade if you want a sweet and savory taste together.
Conclusion
This was the homemade Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies recipe that let you control everything—flavor, sweetness, and quality.
More importantly, they’re fresh, customizable, and free from any preservatives, which makes it better than buying from a store.
Plus, baking them yourself is satisfying, and sharing them makes it even better.
And you can also pair them with hot chocolate, Earl Grey tea, or ice cream for the best experience.
Balance sweetness with mild cheese or salted nuts. Every bite is yours, made just how you like it.
And don’t forget to share your cooking experience with me in the comments section.
FAQs About Homemade Milano Cookies
These are some quick questions and their answers about homemade cookies.
Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
Yes, you can use dark chocolate to make Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies at home.
Dark chocolate will give your cookies a richer flavor than milk chocolate, but it won’t be as sweet as milk chocolate.
So make sure to adjust the sweetness and heavy cream.
How long do homemade Milano cookies last?
If you use an airtight container, you can keep these homemade Milano cookies safe for up to 5 days.
But make sure to seal a container properly and don’t let your cookies come in contact with moisture; otherwise, they will no longer remain crispy.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze your cookie dough, but you have to wrap it with plastic wrap. By doing so, you can keep it safe for around 3 months.
And the next time when you want to bake cookies, make sure to keep the dough at room temperature for some time. Then start rolling.
However, I recommend making fresh stuff every time.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
It happens when you don’t chill your cookie dough properly before baking.
It needs to be chilled for at least 30 minutes so that the butter can firm enough to prevent excessive spreading.
Besides this, too soft butter and over-mixing dough after adding flour can also cause loose structure or spreading.
Pepperidge Farm Milano Milk Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Milk Chocolate Filling:
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips or high-quality milk chocolate bars, melted
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
Make the Cookie Dough
- Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg Whites: Mix in egg whites one at a time for a crisp edge and tender interior.
- Mix in Vanilla Extract: Stir in vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Incorporate Flour & Salt: Gradually add all-purpose flour and salt until the dough comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Shape & Bake the Cookies
- Preheat Oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut Rectangles: Use a sharp knife or rectangular cutter (2-inch by 1-inch pieces).
- Arrange & Bake: Place cookies on the sheet, leaving space between them. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool Completely: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool fully before adding filling.
Prepare the Chocolate Filling
- Melt Chocolate & Cream: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips & heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Adjust Consistency: Let sit for a few minutes until thickened.
Assemble the Cookies
- Pair Cookies by Size: Match cookies for even sandwiches.
- Apply Chocolate Filling: Use a piping bag or spatula to spread ganache on the flat side of one cookie.
- Create the Sandwich: Press a second cookie on top to form a sandwich.
- Let the Filling Set: Allow cookies to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use high-quality butter & chocolate for the best flavor.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading.
- Dark chocolate can be substituted for a richer flavor.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Pair with hot chocolate, Earl Grey tea, or vanilla ice cream for an enhanced experience.
As a passionate home cook and food enthusiast, I’m specialize in recreating popular café and restaurant-style chocolate recipes at home. I have experience in testing and customizing various chocolate-based dishes, I focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to make preservative-free, delicious treats. My goal is to help chocolate lovers enjoy their favorite recipes with a homemade touch and personalized twists.