Mini Whoopie Pies

Ingredients:

• Cookies:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
 
• Filling:
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)

Makes 24 Sandwiches

1. Heat oven to 375 F. Line 2 or 3 large baking sheets with nonstick foil.
2. Cookies: In amedium size bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, until mixture is a pale yellow color. On low speed, beat in half of the flour mixture. Beat in milk and vanilla and then teh remaining flour mixture.
3. Drop dough by level tablespoons onto prepared sheets, spacing at least 1 1/2 inches apart, spreading slightly to a 2-inch round ( about 48 rounds total). Bake at 375 F for 12-13 minutes or until tops are dry. Cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, prepare Filling. In a medium-size bowl, beat together confectioners' sugar, butter, 2 tablespoons water, vanilla, almond and food coloring, if using. Once cookies are cool, sandwich together (flat side to flat side) with a scant tablespoon of filling. Store in airtight container.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts

Note: This recipe appeared in an issue of Family Circle Magazine. I tore this recipe out of the magazine because it looked so delicious. Besides, who does not love chocolate? Whoopie pies are  considered a New England phenomenon and a Pennsylvania Amish tradition and are increasingly sold throughout the U.S.A. According to food historians, Amish women would bake these desserts (known as hucklebucks at the time) and put them in farmers' lunch pails or lunch boxes. When farmers would find the treats in their lunch, they would shout "Whoopie!" It is thought that the original Whoopie pies may have been made from cake batter leftovers. Both Maine and Pennsylvania claim whoopie pies are the official state desserts. Who cares? These sweet treats are devilishly declicious but to be eaten sparingly they are that good.