Christmas Baking: Fudge Filled Cookies (with a twist)

After the success of last year, I decided to embark on another holiday baking marathon the other day. This is one of my favorite cookie recipes that came from my aunt. I did put a slight twist on it – the original calls for chopped walnuts to be added to the fudge filling (which you can absolutely do). But the first time I made the recipe, I didn’t have any walnuts, so as I was looking for a worthy substitute, I jokingly asked if I should use rum instead. The answer was an overwhelming yes (I question my friends and family sometimes) and I made the recipe my own!

For the dough:

8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 cups of flour

For the fiiling:

12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp of rum (and/or 1/2 cup chopped walnuts)

Cream together the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the flour to form a dough. Wrap and refrigerate for two hours. While you’re waiting on the dough to chill, put together the filling (because you’ll want it to have plenty of time to come to room temperature before filling the cookies). In a heavy sauce pan, heat the condensed milk to just about a boil. Add the chips in and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted. At this point, add the rum and/or the chopped walnuts. If you want the rum flavor without the rum, you can use rum extract as well.

After the dough is chilled, divide into four pieces. Roll each piece out into a rectangle and spread the cooled filling in the center, going the long way down. Fold each end to meet in the center and flip the log over so the seam-side is down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the other three pieces of dough. Give each log a tap to help seal the seam and to remove any air pockets. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely and sift some powdered sugar over the tops. Cut the logs into slices 3/4 inch to 1 inch and enjoy!

What’s your favorite cookie improv that took a recipe in a different direction? Hope that happy accident was shared (and enjoyed) with family and friends!

Eat well friends!