Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches

After I made these, I told myself that I would have just a bite of one of them, for quality control purposes, of course. Well, the next thing I know, the whole cookie sandwich was gone. And it was heavenly. The sugar must have gone straight to my head, because soon after I started dancing around my apartment like a complete idiot. But the dancing makes up for eating the cookie sandwich, right?

Red Velvet Cookie Sandwich

adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine

1 stick butter, at room temperature

3/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1 T. red food coloring

1 t. vanilla

1 3/4 c. flour

1 T. cocoa powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. buttermilk

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

1 stick butter, at room temperature

1 lb. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla

Beat together butter and sugar for about 3 minutes. Add egg, red food coloring and vanilla, beat until well incorporated. Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Alternately beat flour mixture and buttermilk into wet ingredients, starting and ending with buttermilk. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Spoon out 1 tablespoon of batter onto parchment paper, and slightly spread batter into circular shape. Bake in 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through. Place cookies on rack to cool completely. Beat together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar. Spread 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese frosting on the bottom of one cookie. Place the bottom of another cookie on the frosting to make sandwiches.