Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Name: Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 tablespoon red food coloring; 1-1/2 teaspoons white vinegar; 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract; 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup baking cocoa; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled; FILLING:; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract; TOPPINGS:; White baking chips, melted; Finely chopped pecans

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling YIELD: 2 dozen.

Everyone gets a kick out of this fun take on the popular red velvet cake. Take a shortcut and use packaged cream cheese frosting for the filling. —Judi Dexheimer, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1-1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
TOPPINGS:
White baking chips, melted
Finely chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs, sour cream, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in cooled melted chocolate.
2. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
3. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on bottoms of half the cookies; cover with remaining cookies.
4. Drizzle with melted baking chips; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 whoopie pie: 272 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 199mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.