Halloween Whoopie Pies
2013-10-14 09:50:03
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- Meringue Buttercream (recipe below)
- 1/3 cup each orange and yellow sprinkles
- Meringue Buttercream
- 5 large egg whites
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 sticks unsalted, softened butter
Instructions
- 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line three baking sheets with parchment. Dip a 1-1/2-inch cookie cutter in extra cocoa and tap onto parchment to create a cookie outline; repeat to make outlines 1 inch apart on all baking sheets; set aside. Whisk together cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
- 2. In a mixing bowl beat together the butter, shortening and sugars until smooth, about 2 min. Add egg and vanilla and beat until fluffy, 2 min. Stir in half the flour mixture, then the milk, and beat to combine. Add remaining flour mixture and beat together, scraping down sides of bowl.
- 3. Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a coupler or a 1/2-inch plain tip. Pipe onto parchment, filling the outlines with mounds about 1/2 inch high. Bake, one sheet at a time, until cookies spring back to the touch, 10 to 12 min. Cool on baking sheets 10 min, then transfer to a wire rack with a metal spatula and let cool completely.
- 4. Spread about 1 tbsp buttercream on flat sides of half the cookies and sandwich with remaining cookies. Cover edges with sprinkles. Can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored chilled. bring to room temperature before serving. Makes about 32.
- Meringue Buttercream
- 1. Whisk together egg whites and sugar in heatproof bowl of an electric mixer over a pan of simmering water until sugar has dissolved, about 5 min. Test by rubbing the mixture between your fingers-you shouldn't feel any sugar crystals.
- 2. Transfer bow to the mixer stand with the whisk attachment and beat on high until mixture cools and stiff peaks form, 10 to 12 min.
- 3. Reduce speed to medium high and add vanilla extract and butter a little at a time. (Buttercream may curdle but will become smooth as you continue to beat it.)
- 4. Use within a few hours or refrigerate up to a week. before using, bring to room temperature and beat on low until smooth. Makes about 5 cups.
Holiday Cottage http://www.holidaycottagepage.com/