Espresso Delight Brownie Cookies

I've been experimenting with cream cheese for the Real Women of Philadelphia dessert competition. It's a pretty enjoyable ingredient for me to mess around with, given that I COULD EAT IT WITH A SPOON. Are there people in the world that don't love cream cheese? Are you one of them? If so, I would like to meet you, and study your taste buds.

This cookie was very good, but I don't think it's the one I want to compete with. Mainly because I want an excuse to experiment some more...

Espresso Delight Brownie Cookies
(Makes 18 cookies)

1 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cups cocoa powder
1 T brewed coffee
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flower
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
4 oz. cream cheese
1 tsp instant espresso powder

Preheat oven to 375. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add cocoa powder and coffee and stir until smooth. Set aside and let cool.


Mix eggs and sugar until creamy and light yellow in color, 3-5 minutes. Add vanilla and combine.


Add melted butter/chocolate to sugar/eggs and mix until combined. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Add chocolate chips and stir.


In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese and espresso powder until combined. Spoon cookie dough onto baking sheet. Add one tsp of espresso cream cheese to center of each cookie.


Bake for 8-10 minutes.