Molasses Cookie Sandwiches

These are always a huge hit- make for Christmas.

for cookies:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

for filling:
1/4 cup (4 oz.) cream cheese
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp orange juice (I don't usually add this)
1/2 tsp ginger
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt.  Set aside.  In bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar until fluffy.  Add molasses, egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated.  Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture and mix until well combined.  Cover and chill 30 minutes. 

2. Preheat oven to 350.  Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in a bowl of sugar to coat.  Arrange 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten dough with bottom of a glass.  Bake 13-15 minutes or until firm.  Remove from oven and transfer to cooling rack.

3. Filling: combine ingredients, mix until smooth, adding more powdered sugar as needed (should be thick frosting).  Frost bottom half of cookies, top with remaining cookies.

I believe this recipe is from Oprah magazine in 2006.