Aphrodisiac Cream Cheese-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo: Jo Ann

Ingredients

Ingredients for Cookie Dough:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups chocolate chips

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Filling:

6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

2 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Directions:

First, make the cookie dough. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar until light. Beat in egg, milk and vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed or by hand, blend in the flour mixture, stirring only until no streaks of flour remain. Stir in chocolate chips.

Divide dough into two equal parts. Place each on a sheet of wax or parchment paper and shape into a log. Wrap in paper and chill logs for 1-2 hours, until firm.

Make the filling by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix at medium-high speed until smooth. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Remove dough logs from the fridge. Using a sharp knife, divide each log into eight even slices (total of 16 big slices of cookie dough).

Working with one piece of cookie dough at a time, flatten the dough into a 3-4 inch wide dish between your palms. Place about 1 tablespoon cream cheese filling in the center of the dough, then pinch the side of the dough together to seal. Work carefully so all the filling is sealed inside.

Place on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, until cookies are golden brown around the edges. Cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 16 gut busting cookies.