Whoopie Pies

The only true way to experience a whoopie-pie is to buy one from someone sitting under a blue tarp by the side of Rt. 1 in Maine. Rob informed me that you don't have 'em in other parts of the country - boy are you missing out. This classic New England treat is part cake part filled cookie and delicious. It seems every country store in northern New England has a pile by the cash register wrapped in plastic thanks to some local women who makes em up fresh daily. Since I'm feeling a bit under the weather I haven't actually made these yet. Note that the recipie calls for vegtable shortning (aka Crisco) NOT butter. Especially in the filling Crisco is what makes it so white and fluffy.

Whoopie Pies

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Whoopie Pie Filling (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, and egg. In another bowl, combine cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a small bowl, stir the vanilla extract into the milk. Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the milk mixture; beating until smooth.

Drop batter by the 1/4 cup (to make 18 cakes) onto prepared baking sheets. With the back of a spoon spread batter into 4-inch circles, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cake. Bake 15 minutes or until they are firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Make Whoopie Pie Filling. When the cakes are completely cool, spread the flat side (bottom) of one chocolate cake with a generous amount of filling. Top with another cake, pressing down gently to distribute the filling evenly. Repeat with all cookies to make 9 pies. Wrap whoopie pies individually in plastic wrap, or place them in a single layer on a platter (do not stack them, as they tend to stick).

Whoopie Pie Filling
Whoopie Pie Filling:
1 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups Marshmallow Fluff
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a medium bow, beat together shortening, sugar, and Marshmallow fluff; stir in vanilla extract until well blended.

recipie from http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/WhoopiePieHistory.htm