Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling

Each Monday night (okay most), we gather at the in-laws for family night.
The kids sing songs (usually about ailing turtles), we visit, learn a little something (this week's topic: setting and reaching goals), and most importantly, we eat treats.

We ate these tonight. They are definitely in the running for cutest cookies I've ever made.


Cookies
from Martha Stewart

Makes 2 dozen sandwiches, maybe a few more

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract


1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift together flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside. Line two baking pans with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats) or parchment paper. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Slowly add dry ingredients. Mix until combined.

2. Using a 1-ounce ice-cream scoop, place cookies onto lined baking pans, twelve per pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining batter.

3. Spread 2 tablespoons of frosting onto each of twenty-four of cookies. Sandwich together with remaining twenty-four cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. (I would probably just frost the ones that would be eaten on day one. Store the remaining frosting in your refrigerator and frost the rest as you eat.)

Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling
just a variation of my favorite (white wonder) frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup softened butter
4-5 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 T strawberry jam

Blend until smooth.

(Flavor the filling any way you choose. I had some homemade strawberry jam in my fridge. Omit the jam altogether if you want a vanilla filling.)