Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Cookies and Christmas Giveaway!

Well, now that the rush of Thanksgiving is over, how about joining me for a little Christmas party?  I have teamed up again with some of my favorite bloggers to bring you our favorite holiday bites recipes!


Tomato & Ricotta Crostini from Katie’s Cucina
Roasted Leek and Onion Soup from Sweet C’s Designs
Mozzerella, Bacon and Roasted Peppers Hot Cheese Dip from Cook the Story
Red Pepper Manchego Stuffed Mushrooms from The Lilypad Cottage
Spicy Sriracha Deviled Eggs from White House Black Shutters
Cranberry Salsa from Bombshell Bling
Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms from Kokocooks
Cream Cheese with Garlic & Bacon filled Crescents from A Glimpse Inside
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats from Yellow Bliss Road
Peppermint Patty Chex Mix from Lolly Jane
Brownie Stuffed Christmas Trees from It’s Always Autumn
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies from Clean and Scentsible
Mini Candy Cane Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache from Crazy Little Projects
Black and White Cookie Brownies from Sweet Rose Studio
Oreo Truffle Reindeer Noses and Free Printable from Balancing Home
Peppermint Muddy Buddies from A Pumpkin and a Princess

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So today, I am bringing one of my favorite cookies to the party.  If you are a chocolate lover like me these Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Cookies are a must!  And if you’re not a big fan of peppermint, the filling can easily be changed up! 🙂


Ingredients

Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 oz {1/2 cup} dark chocolate {melted and cooled}
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp. milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

• 1/2 cup darkchocolate {or semi sweet chocolate chips}
• 3 oz cream cheese {one small brick}, softened
• 1/3 cup icing sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract or crushed candy canes to taste
• up to 2 tbsp. hot water if needed

Directions

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for approximately 30 seconds.
• Add the cocoa powder, sugar, melted chocolate, baking powder, and salt.  Beat until well combined.
• Beat in the milk, eggs, and vanilla until combined
• Beat in as much of the flour as possible with the mixer.  When the dough becomes too stiff, stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon.  Cover dough and place in fridge for approximately 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time to approximately 1/2 an inch thick.  Using a cookie cutter, cut out the dough.  {I used a cookie cutter with an insert to cut out the top cookie for my sandwiches}.
• Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes until the edges are firm.  Cool on a wire rack.
• To make the filling, melt the chocolate in the microwave on 50% power.  Stir every 30 seconds until melted.  Do not overheat.  In a small bowl combine softened cream cheese and icing sugar.  Stir in the melted chocolate, peppermint extract {or crushed candy canes} and vanilla.  If it is too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon of hot water at a time until the filling reaches spreading consistency.
• Spread the filling on the bottom of the cookie without a cutout center {so the top part of the cookie will face out} and top with a cookie with a cut out center {bottom side down}
• Makes approximately 3 1/2 dozen sandwiches  {mine were approximately 2 -2 1/2 inches in diameter}.

These cookies are really rich and taste amazing with a cold glass of milk.  I’m pretty sure they are Santa’s favorite! 🙂

Since one of my kiddos, doesn’t like peppermint, I left some of the filling peppermint-free and added some sprinkles to his cookies.

Either way, they are a chocolate lover’s dream!

Now if you think the cookies look good, check out this amazing giveaway that we have for you!

Want to know what you could win?

• $135 in CASH straight to your PayPal account {with lots of love from your blogger hosts!}
• A Baking Prize Pack courtesy of OXO {includes a Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set, Food Scale, 2-piece bowl scraper set, 2-cup Adjustable Measuring Cups, Silicone Whisk, Egg Beater, 3-Piece Angeled Measuring Cup Set, Pastry Brush}
• A $125 Gift Card to Sur la Table courtesy of Baloian Farms {Find them on Facebook}.  There are so many fun kitchen accessories to choose from to help you create the perfect dish!  Baloian Farms is a third generation family farm based in the Central Valley of California. They specialize in growing peppers of all varieties including mini sweet peppers and baby bells, as well as squash, mixed vegetables and leafy greens. Their products are available in grocery stores throughout the Midwest and West Coast.

Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and Happy Holidays to you all!!

I shared this post at Lil Luna, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Home Stories A to Z, Stone Gable, 30 Handmade Days, Liz Maire Blog, Tidy Mom, Design Dining and Diapers, 52 Mantels and Live Laugh Rowe.