Root Beer Float Cookies

So I've been umming and ahhing whether or not to make these cookies for the past few weeks now.

My curiosity finally got the best of me.

You see, my dilemma is in the combination of the two. The thought of ice cream being plopped into my soda and slowly melting has never appealed to me. It actually kind of grosses me out. I mean, I love root beer and I love vanilla ice cream, just not necessarily together as a couple. Mind you, I love root beer ice cream. Yeah, I really don't know what to say about that one. Just chalk it up to a wonder of the weird world.

Once I convinced myself that these are not and will not be like the actual drink, my inquiring mind took off like a fly ball right over center field and into the screaming crowd. After all, a cookie's a cookie and I certainly won't discriminate now.

Unfortunately, my husband doesn't like root beer, full stop. Psshha. I've been trying to bring him over to the frothy dark side for quite sometime, but it's like kicking a boulder 2 feet. Hoping to change his mind, I found these little gems. Seriously, what can you NOT make in the kitchen these days?

We were impressed how good they were. The root beer flavor isn't overpowering at all and the cookies themselves are soft, light and oh, so yummy.

I know that root beer isn't for everyone, but these cookies are.

Welcome to the delicious dark side. Join us.

ROOT BEER FLOAT COOKIES

Recipe adapted and slightly modified from Makes and Takes

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup salted butter, at room temperature

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

¼ cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 teaspoons root beer concentrate

ROOT BEER FROSTING 

3 cups powdered sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 tablespoons heavy cream

1-2 teaspoons root beer extract or concentrate (I used 2 teaspoons)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large bowl, mix flour and baking powder together; set aside. In another large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla and root beer concentrate and blend until incorporated.

Add in flour mixture, along with the buttermilk. Beat until blended.

Using an medium ice cream scoop with a retractable mechanism (this will help yield a more uniform cookie), drop onto cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Mine took 9 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for a couple minutes. Transfer to wire rack and allow to cool completely.

To make frosting:

Beat ingredients together until creamy and smooth. Pipe or spread over cookie tops. Drizzle melted white chocolate and top with a cherry if desired.

Yield: About 3 dozen.