Puppy Pops

Here is a really fun cookie and it is turned into a "Puppy Pop." I originally found this idea in Family Fun magazine(a great resource for families) ,a few years ago.I used a different recipe,but loved the puppy idea!This  is really two recipes in one,and both cookies can be cut into any shapes you like!For this recipe,you will also need lollipop sticks,m & ms,mini chocolate chips,vanilla icing, and a heart shaped cookie cutter.
Vanilla Cookie Dough:
2 sticks of unsalted butter,softened
3 oz. cream cheese,softened(the bar,not the whipped)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 egg yolks
2-1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar

 Beat the butter,cream cheese and sugar together for until well blended.Add the yolks & vanilla. Add the flour and mix just until the dough comes together.Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Cookie Dough:
2 sticks of unsalted butter,softened
3 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. usweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
3-1/4 c. flour


Mix together the butter & sugar until well blended.Add the eggs & vanilla.In another bowl,mix together the flour,cocoa,salt & baking powder.Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and blend just until the dough comes together.Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  Now to make the puppies!Roll out each dough on a lightly floured surface.Using a heart cookie cutter,cut out as many hearts as you would like to make,keeping in mind that you will need one vanilla & one chocolate heart for each Puppy Pop.The cookies should be about 1/2 inch thick.Place the vanilla cookie on a baking sheet lined with parchment.Now take a chocolate heart and cut it down the middle.Place one chocolate piece on each side of the vanilla heart as shown above.These will be the ears.Then place 3 mini chocolate chips on each side of the face.Carefully place a stick into each cookie,gently molding the cookie to the stick.
  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 7-9 minutes,or until golden around the edges of the vanilla cookie.Take out of the oven and cool.
  Once cooled,place a very small amount of icing on the back of two brown m&ms and one red m&m and adhere to the cookie to make the eyes & nose.I have also added a dot of icing to each eye for decorative purposes.
***You can also tie a ribbon on the stick to make your pop more festive,or even wrap in cellophane bags for gift giving or party favors.
***I made my own icing out of a small amount of confectioner's sugar & a very small amount of milk.Just mix until you have a smooth ,but not runny consitency.You may also use a store bought frosting.
***Cookies freeze well before decorating.