Directions

1. Set the oven at 350 °F. 
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

For the cream cheese filling:

1. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until smooth (about 4 minutes).
2. Cover tightly in order not to lose any moisture from this step! Let it rest for 25 minutes before continuing as desired.

For the cookie dough:

1. While the filling is chilled, mix dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Mix butter and sugars together in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer.
3. Add in the egg, food coloring, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Add the flour mixture, and let it mix until combined.

To make the cookies:

1. Scoop accumulating tablespoons of the cookie dough, rolling into balls until you have 13 even-sized portions.
2. Using palms and fingertips, flatten each into a 3½-inch circle about ¼-inch thick—this will become your base for all those pretty designs!
3. Place some cream cheese filling in the center of each round, keeping any edges clean.
4. Bring around the dough and seal off with pinch to create perfect seams or cuts as you roll it up into balls—spacing them out at least three inches apart on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the golden browned exterior is dry enough not to touch your mouth when bitten into; let cool slightly before serving!