Chocolate-Raspberry Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients
• 1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
• 1 c. sugar
• 3/4 c. packed brown sugar
• 1/3 c. cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 c. flour
Filling:
• 3-4 oz. white chocolate chips
• 1/4 c. butter or margarine, softened
• 3 Tbsp raspberry preserves
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3-1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 - 3 Tbsp whipping cream

Instructions
• In a large mixing bowl beat butter and sugars until well combined. Beat in the cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add vanilla and beat in egg. Beat in as much flour as you can with mixer, using wooden spoon to stir in any remaining.

• Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each in an 8" - 10" log. (The longer the log and smaller the diameter, the smaller your cookie will be.) Wrap each log in wax paper and place in freezer for approx. 2 hours until firm enough to cut but not so soft that the circle-shape is distorted when cutting.

• Preheat oven to 350°

• Cut logs into 1/4" slices. Do not try to estimate this. 1/4" provides the best texture for a sandwich cookie. Baking time will need to be increased if you make the slices too thick.

• Place the slices 1" apart on ungreased baking sheet and bake for 8 - 12 minutes or just until edges are firm. Do not overbake!

• Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.

• In a small saucepan, melt the white chocolate over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Beat in the preserves and the vanilla. Gradually beat in the cooled white chocolate and powdered sugar. The mixture may appear "crumbly." Add whipping cream until a spreadable creamy texture is achieved.

• Spread the flat (bottom) side of a cookie with approx. 1 Tbsp (+/-) of the raspberry filling. Top with another cookie so that the flat (bottom) side faces the filling.

• This recipe makes approx. 2 dozen sandwich cookies.

These are Pastor Mark's favorite cookie!
They beat both the LittleDebby® Oatmeal Cream Pie . . .
and the Nut Goodie®.