Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling

Transform those plain red velvet cookies into a cookie sandwich. Trust us, you’ll thank us for it.

Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling

Yield: 18 cookies or 9 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2-2/3 cups (16 ounces) 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips
  
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
  
• 4 eggs
  
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
  
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
  
• 2 tsp. instant espresso powder
  
• 1- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
  
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  
• 1/4 tsp. salt
  
• 1 package (11.5 oz. ) semi-sweet chocolate chunks
  
• Red food coloring

Cheese Filling:

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
  
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  
• 3-4 cup powdered sugar

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat; cool until mixture is warm.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, vanilla and, if desired, espresso powder until blended. Whisk into chocolate mixture.
3. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt; add to chocolate mixture, mixing well.
   Squeeze in desired amount of red food coloring. Fold in chocolate chunks; let stand 10 minutes, then refrigerate overnight or at least for one hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350°. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls 3 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 12-14 minutes or until set.
5. Cool on pans 1-2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
6. Filling: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
7. Pipe onto the bottom of half the cookies, sandwich with another cookie and then roll in coarse sugar to decorate.