JAMAICAN CHOCOLATE COOKIES WITH CARAMEL CREME

Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme image

I made these for an office party cookie contest-and not a crumb was left on the platter! Sweet potatoes are the secret ingredient. Canned sweet potatoes will work, too, if you're short on time. -Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield about 2-1/2 dozen sandwich cookies

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 package (11-1/2 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks, divided
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup whipped cream cheese
1/3 cup dulce de leche
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon salt

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. In a microwave, melt 2/3 cup chocolate chunks; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in sweet potatoes, cooled chocolate, ginger and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Shape dough into 3/4-in. balls; place 2-1/2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in confectioners' sugar. Bake until edges are firm, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Meanwhile, mix filling ingredients until smooth. Spread filling on bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies., For chocolate coating, microwave remaining chocolate chunks; stir until smooth. Dip cookies halfway into chocolate or drizzle chocolate over the top of cookies; let stand until set. Store between pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 134 calories, Fat 7g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 103mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.