Whoopie Pies (Recipe)

Ingredients

Cookies:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2  cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour milk

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup shortening

1 egg

1 egg yolk

Filling:

1/2 cup shortening

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons milk

Steps

1.Preheat the oven to 400°.

2. To make the cookies: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups flour, the 1 cup granulated sugar, the cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Add the sour milk, water and the 1/2 cup shortening.  Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined.

3. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes more.  Add the whole egg and egg yolk; beat for 2 minutes more.

4. Drop the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake in the 400° oven about 6 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched in the center.  Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer when to a wire rack to cool.

5. Meanwhile, to make the filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the 1/2 cup shortening, the tablespoons flour, the 1 tablespoons granulated sugar and the vanilla.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.

6. Slowly add 1 1/4 cups of the powdered sugar; beat well.  Add the milk.  Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar; beat well.

7. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of the filling onto half of the cookies.  Top with the remaining cookies and sandwich together.

Tips:

To make a surprise filling, add 1/2 cup miniature chocolate pieces to the filling.  

To make sour milk: Pour 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar into a 1-cup glass measure.  Add enough milk to make 1/2 cup.  Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes before adding it to the remainder of the ingredients.