Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

Life is full of mysteries. Lots and lots of mysteries.

I wonder why my mom texts me when she knows I’m driving. Before she knew how to text, she insisted I not even TALK on the phone while driving. Hmmm…

You wouldn’t think with Chicago traffic that the day there was severe flooding and road/highway closings that I would make record time to the city. I mean, that just makes no sense, right?

You wouldn’t think it would take me leaving for the weekend to get my first REAL hug of the week from Mr. Prevention. I guess we’ve been busy…

I would’ve never guessed that when I pulled up in the driveway last night, my mom would be visibly disappointed not to see Lily’s fat head pop up over the seat. Genuine, visible disappointment.

I’d never imagine that I’d pack my clothing, toiletries, etc. and pack them all into my hockey bad. The thing has got to weigh nearly 70 pounds of huge, stinky, bulkiness. I hope Delta agrees to check it. I also hope I don’t offend too many people with my new scent for the next few days.

One would think I’d have considered sharpening my skates prior to going to a hockey tournament, but no. Instead I couldn’t keep an edge at my game on Wednesday night and my coach instructed me to, “Please get those things sharpened in Minneapolis…before the first game….”

I would’ve been missing a small piece of completeness without having learned about “Are You Faster Than A Redneck?” that airs on the Speed channel. Who knew my dad and brother would turn me on to such a welcome waste of time?

Who knew it would take me 27 years to encounter my first whoopie pie? Not I. Pre-blogging, I had never heard of whoopie pies. Since starting blogging, they’ve been on my to-do list. I finally used my hockey team, who I’ll be traveling with to Minneapolis this weekend for a breast cancer hockey tournament, as an excuse to make these super decadent whoopie pies.

It probably goes without saying, but these were a hit. I will also mention that between 3 games in 2 days, we’ll burn those calories off 😉

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies from Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes

Cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Filling:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme
1/2 cup natural, smooth peanut butter
pinch of salt
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

To make the cookies, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as needed. Add the egg and beat an additional minute, beat in vanilla.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add half of the flour mixture; beat on low speed and add the buttermilk. When just incorporated, add the remaining flour mixture and mix until just blended.

Spoon the batter onto baking sheets (a scant 1/4 cup per cookie), leaving several inches between each cookie as they will spread. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until centered are no longer shiny, yet soft. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the filling, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, marshmallow, peanut butter, and salt. Once smooth, add the powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy.

Once cookies have cooled, spread 2-3 tablespoons of filling onto the bottom of one cookie and top with another. Fill all the cookie sandwiches this same way. To keep stored in the refrigerate, wrap each individually in plastic wrap and enjoy within 5 days.

Yield: 18 whoopie pies

Nutrition Information (per whoopie pie): 277 calories; 13.9 g. fat; 11 mg. cholesterol; 276 mg. sodium; 34.6 g. carbohydrate; 0.95 g. fiber; 4.3 g. protein; 20.8 g. sugar

Result: Hmmm…nothing not to love here, except of course the calories 😉 My first ever whoopie pies weren’t the prettiest, but they sure tasted great!

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 See you in Minnesota…my first time to MN! 🙂

Be well,