Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 10 Tbsp butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 Tbsp butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder

Directions

1. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl, then put that bowl aside. In an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Mix in the eggs 1 at a time, letting each one disappear into the dough before adding the next, then blend in the vanilla. Add the dry mixture gradually and mix just until everything comes together. Move the dough into an airtight container and refrigerate it until it’s firm enough to roll into balls, about 2 hours. During the last 10 minute of chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Take the dough from the fridge, scoop it, and roll it into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place the dough balls on Silpat lined cookie sheets and bake them in the preheated oven for 10 – 11 minutes; keep any dough balls that aren’t baking in the refrigerator until you’re ready for them. Pull the cookies from the oven and let them sit for several minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Once they’re completely cool, spread Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting on the bottom side of 1 cookie, then press it against the bottom side of another cookie to make a sandwich. Keep the finished cookies in an airtight container.
2. To make the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar, sift in the cocoa powder, and mix again until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute.