Description
Classic Old-Fashioned Whoopie Pies featuring soft, chocolatey cake-like cookies sandwiched with a creamy vanilla filling. This nostalgic treat is perfect for gatherings and nostalgic dessert cravings, combining rich cocoa flavor with a smooth, sweet frosting.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup shortening
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups shortening
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 egg whites
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease two cookie sheets thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set them aside.
- Mix shortening and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the shortening and white sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat again until the mixture is smooth.
- Add wet ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low, then gradually add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract one at a time. Beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula until almost fully combined, leaving a few streaks of flour visible.
- Activate baking soda: In a small bowl, stir the hot water with the baking soda. Once mixed, gently fold this mixture into the batter until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Portion batter: Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of batter onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, indicating they are done.
- Cool cookies: Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.
- Prepare filling: In a separate mixing bowl, beat shortening, powdered sugar, and flour on low speed until powdered sugar is fully incorporated. Increase speed to medium and add milk, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Beat until the filling is thick and smooth.
- Assemble whoopie pies: Once cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe about a tablespoon of the filling onto the bottom side of half the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing gently so the filling reaches the edges, creating a sandwich.
Notes
- Ensure cookies are completely cool before filling to prevent melting the frosting.
- Use fresh egg whites for the filling for best texture, or substitute with meringue powder for longer storage.
- Store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, consider using Dutch-process cocoa powder.
- Spacing the cookies well on the baking sheet prevents them from merging during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
