Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

I think it's safe to say that we are obsessed with red velvet desserts, having back to back posts about them. Here is what happens when Paula Deen meets Oreo Cakesters:

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Serves: 12-15 sandwiches

Ingredients:

-1 1/3 cup 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 temp

-1 cup sugar

-2 eggs

-2 tablespoons buttermilk

-2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-1 tablespoon red food coloring

For Cream Cheese Frosting:

-1 lb cream cheese, softened

-2 sticks butter, softened

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-4 cups powdered sugar

-3/4 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

-Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl

-Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 mins. Add eggs 1 at a time.

Then beat in buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and red food coloring. Once combined, add the dry ingredients to wet. Mix until thoroughly combined.

-Onto parchment lined sheet tray, drop batter using an ice cream scoop, forming 2-inch round circles.

-Bake for 10 mins, 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.

For Cream Cheese Frosting:

-In a large mixing bowl, beat the

cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar on a low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

-Spread cream cheese frosting between 2 cooled cookies and roll the edges in finely chopped pecans, if desired.