Want to create a sweet treat for your Valentine?  Try these.  You can make them two different ways.  I prefer the Ice Cream sandwich version but if you don’t have space in your freezer, the frosted kind are great too.

Homemade Oreos for your Valentine

Cookies:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the cookies:

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cocoa and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer if you have it, combine the butter and sugar. Beat on medium until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until well combined. (If you don’t have a mixer, you can use your arm!)

Whisk in the flour mixture just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Divide the dough in half and shape into 2 discs. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

When the dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F. Working one disc at a time, roll each chilled dough disc to a 1/4-inch-thickness, cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place the cut out shapes on a parchment-lined sheet pan, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart. Re-roll any remaining dough and continue cutting shapes until all of the dough is used.

Bake the cookies 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are set.

Ice Cream Filling

Strawberry ice cream, softened slightly (I prefer Haagen Daz)

or

Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 drop Red Food Coloring

To make the frosting: While the cookies cool, in a large bowl, gradually beat the powdered sugar and milk into the butter until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract and red food coloring.

Transfer the filling to a plastic sandwich bag and cut off a small corner (or use a pastry bag). Pipe the filling into the center of half the cookies and top with the remaining cookies to form the sandwiches.

NOTE: Spread softened ice cream onto one cookie and place another cookie on top to form a sandwich.  Place on a cookie sheet or shallow pan that will fit into your freezer.  Do the same with the remaining cookies and then place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes.