Caramel-filled Whirlwinds

Total Time: 7 hrs 12 mins Preparation Time: 7 hrs Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar or 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 30 caramels
• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened

Recipe

• 1 cookies: cream together the butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until very light.
• 2 add the egg yolk and maple extract; blend well.
• 3 gradually mix in the flour just until a dough forms.
• 4 cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or until easy to handle.
• 5 filling: meanwhile, melt the caramels in a saucepan over very low heat.
• 6 stir in the cream cheese until blended; set aside.
• 7 divide cookie dough in half; roll out each half between 2 sheets of waxed paper to 1/4" thickness.
• 8 spread the caramel mixture over the dough to within 1/2" of the edges.
• 9 roll dough up tightly, jelly-roll style, starting with the long sides; wrap each roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours, or until firm.
• 10 preheat oven to 350*f.
• 11 unwrap dough and cut into 1/4" slices; space 2" apart on greased or parchment paper-lined cookie sheets.
• 12 bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown.
• 13 transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
• 14 dust with powdered sugar, if desired.