Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cream margarine and sugar in your mixer bowl, scraping the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined. Add the flour one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Dough will be stiff.

Divide dough in half or in thirds. Roll out one piece on a silpat or parchment paper. Place desired template on the dough and cut out the cookie using a paring knife. Remove scraps of dough around the design. Repeat with remaining dough. Remove template.

Bake the cookies for 18 to 20 minutes, until they are lightly browned at the edges. If one is browning faster than the other, switch top and bottom pans.  Remove and allow to cool completely before decorating.

Choose chocolate or vanilla filling.

Beat filling ingredients until stiff. Place in a piping bag fitted with a large tip.

Place one cookie on a cake board. Pipe generous dots or stars, in rows, on the cookie, filling in completely. Place the second cookie gently on the cream. Again, pipe generous stars or dots in rows on the second layer. If using a third layer repeat above step. Decorate with candy, chocolate or flowers as desired.