Molasses Cookies with Spiced Rum Cream Filling

Okay, so I know I said I don't like making things. The truth is that I am not good at crafting, but I do enjoy making things with food. I love baking, but I especially love baking during the holidays. I feel very strongly that homemade gifts are the absolute best; it doesn't get any more local and craft than that! Whether you are gifting these to friends or to yourself, these molasses crinkles with spiced rum filling are guaranteed to produce smiles for miles.

P.S. These are Santa approved!

Molasses Cookie Sandwiches with Spiced Rum Cream Filling 

• 3/4 cup softened butter (I use salted butter - I know, it's breaking all the baking rules but I prefer the stronger taste, like salted caramel. Use unsalted butter if you're not a fan of a more intense flavor.)
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup molasses 
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1 tbsp baking soda 
• 2 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Filling: 

• 1/4 cup cream cheese 
• 1 stick softened butter 
• 1 tsp dark rum 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• dash ginger (to taste)
• dash nutmeg (to taste)

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees. In a stand mixer, cream butter and brown sugar. Add molasses and egg. In separate bowl, sift flour, spices, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined. Using small ice cream scoop, scoop round balls of dough and roll in sugar before placing on baking sheet with baking mat. Bake approximately 6-7 minutes or until crinkles form on the tops of each cookie. Remove cookies from oven just before they are done (they will continue to bake once removed and you'll get a chewier cookie!) For the filling: whip cream cheese, butter, rum and vanilla until combined. Add powdered sugar carefully (I place a kitchen towel over the stand mixer so the powder stays in the bowl). Add spices. When cookies are cooled, pipe (or smear) filling on one cookie then gently smoosh (that's right, smoosh) the second cookie on top. Eat and enjoy.