Whoopie Pies (Chocolate with Pink Vanilla Filling)

Finally, the whoopie pies based on the ones I grew up with!

These are also called Gobs, but I think whoopie pies sound so much better and more fun!

I made these for Little C's school Valentine's Party, so the vanilla filling is pink.  I have also made them with green mint filling.    I really prefer these over the ones I made last year, as they are not as rich, and the cakes are much more moist.

The filling is made with a flour paste which sounds unappealing at first, but is really nice.  The key is to keep mixing the filling so that it is fluffy and doesn't separate.  The second time I didn't mix it long enough and the filling wasn't as pretty.  The recipe even says to mix for 10 minutes, but I guess I overlooked that detail.  This last time, I put the mixer on med/high, set the timer for 10 minutes and walked away.  The filling looked good even before I added the pink.   

My recipe is based on one from the Pennsylvania Grange Cookbook.

Whoopie Pies

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cocoa
• 1/3 cup of coffee (liquid)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.  Add the other ingredients and mix well.  Drop by teaspoonful (I used a small cookie scoop) on to a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake at 350 for 7 minutes.  Do not over bake!  Cool on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes then place on a wax paper covered cooling rack.  Do not stack the cookies or they may stick together.  The batter is thick but, I only baked 8 at a time to prevent them from running together during baking.

Whoopie Pie Filling

• 1/2 cup of milk
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (and/or flavoring of choice)
• pinch of salt

Cook milk and flour, until a nice paste forms.  Stir well while cooking.  Cool the paste. (I find it's best to do this before I make the cookies)  Cream sugar and butter; add cold paste, vanilla and salt.  Beat about 10 minutes with an electric mixer.  Spread filling on one cookie, then place another on top.  

Makes 2+ dozen.

If you want to be extra generous with the filling, I recommend doubling the filling recipe.

They take a little extra time, but are so worth it!

Whoopie Pies