Whoopie Pie Cookie Sandwiches

invictus's Note:

Not for someone on a diet! These pies are time consuming but they are so much better than anything you could buy at the store in the pre-packed bakery department. Prep time does not include cooling time of filling. These need to be stored in the fridge.

• Total Time: 26 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 1 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 dozen

Cookies

• ½ cup baking cocoa
• ½ cup hot water
• ½ cup shortening
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 2⁄3; cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup buttermilk

Filling

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1⁄8; teaspoon salt (just a dash would work)
• 1 cup milk
• ¾ cup shortening
• 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cookie sheet.
2. In a small bowl, combine cocoa and water; mix well. Cool for five minutes. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add cocoa mixture, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk; mix well.
3. Drop by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until firm to the touch. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4. In saucepan, combine flour and salt. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth; cook and stir over medium-high heat until thick, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and refrigerate until completely cool.
5. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, sugar, and vanilla. Add chilled milk mixture; beat for 7 minutes or until fluffy. Spread filling on half of cooled cookies; top with the remaining cookies.