Whoopie Pies

This is an old New England classic, adapted from an old Gourmet recipe.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 15
• Yields: 15 pies

Ingredients

• 2⁄3 cup vegetable shortening
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 2 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄2 cup  Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1  cup milk
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla

• Filling

• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 3  cups  sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 4  tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Cream shortening and sugar.
2. Add eggs and beat well.
3. Sift together dry ingredients.
4. Combine milk and vanilla in measuring cup.
5. Add dry ingredients in alternation with milk mixture, mixing well after each addition Drop tablespoons of batter onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
6. Bake at 375 until puffed and firm to the touch, about 10-12 minutes.
7. Do not overbake.
8. Cream together butter, vanilla, salt, and confectioner's sugar for filling.
9. Add just enough milk to make a spreadable consistency.
10. Sandwich a generous amount of filling between two cake halves.