Oatmeal-Apple Cream Pies

Ingredients

• 0.3 cup spiced apple butter 
• 0.7 cup apples peeled chopped
• 0.5 tsp double-acting baking powder 
• 0.3 tsp baking soda 
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.3 cup butter 
• 3 Tbsp butter 
• 1  eggs 
• 0.8 cup flour 
• 0.3 cup granulated sugar 
• 0.3 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 4 oz philadelphia neufchatel cheese softened ()
• 2 cups powdered sugar 
• 1 cup rolled oats 
• 0.5 tsp vanilla 

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• oven
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375F.
2. Note: The apple butter and Neufchatel cheese mixture MUST be made first. With a hand mixer, mix Neufchatel cheese, 3 Tbsp. butter and apple butter. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
3. Place in the refrigerator immediately.
4. Mixture needs to become more solid for easier spreading.
5. To make the cookies, start by mixing 1/3 cup of butter in a large bowl.
6. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; mix well.
7. Once mixed, beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour. Stir in oats and apples.
8. Drop cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet (12 per batch= 2 batches).
9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until done. Allow to cool.
10. Once cooled, remove the Neufchatel cheese mixture from the refrigerator.
11. Spread mixture on bottom side of one cookie, then add another cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies.