Cocoa Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Cocoa powder...Butter...Cream cheese.......

What's wrong with those three words?? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!  And even better they're all together in one delicious treat.

Cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

Sugar, butter, buttermilk, egg, vanilla and apple cider vinegar

Butter and sugar until "light and fluffy"

Butter and sugar with eggs

Batter

1-inch rounds

Cream cheese and butter

Cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar

Use a piping bag to spread frosting on cakes

Most importantly: eat them before others eat them for you!!!

 Cocoa Cream Cheese Sandwiches

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
•  1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 cup butter, room temperature 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 2 eggs 
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk 
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cream cheese frosting: 

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup finely chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans (optional) 

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2.  Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.
3. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time. Then beat in the buttermilk, vinegar, and vanilla. Once combined, add the dry ingredients to wet. Mix until thoroughly combined. 
4. Onto a parchment lined sheet tray, drop batter using an ice cream scoop, forming 2-inch round circles. For small sandwiches, use a 1-inch round scoop.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, until baked through. Cookies should be cake-like and light. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. For the Cream Cheese Frosting:  In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
7. Spread the cream cheese frosting between 2 cooled cookies and roll the edges in finely chopped nuts, if desired.