Whoopie!!!!!……..It’s Whoopie Pies

Well, if you are a fan of trashy American TV, then you are bound to have heard them mention Whoopie Pies.  I had never seen one, nor eaten one until I found this random article online about how Whoopie Pies were the new “in” thing in Perth and had replaced Macarons as the “it” thing to make.  Apparently, Perth people were going crazy for Whoopie Pies and local Patisseries were selling out of these little morsels.  Feeling a challenge coming on, I set about investigating the Whoopie Pie situation.

So, apparently the Amish women used to bake “hucklebucks” as they were known then, and put them in the lunch pail of the farmers.  When the farmer would sit down to eat, they were known to shout “Whoopieeeeeeeeeee!”  Whether that is true or not, I was delighted to find out that traditionally these were made from left over cake batter and sandwiched together with a frosting.  The bonus is………………..they are heaps easier than Macarons, and can be made in a variety of different flavours and colours. These are best served the day after making them.

Check out how easy these guys are and you will have your family and friends shouting “Whoopie!” too…..

Ingredients (makes approx 20 pies)

130g softened butter

190g brown sugar

300g buttermilk

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

45g cocoa

360g flour

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

Method:

1. Cream the butter and brown sugar together on Speed 3 for 20 seconds
2. Scrape down the bowl and continue to cream for another 20 seconds on Speed 3.
3. Add the egg, vanilla & buttermilk and mix on Speed 5 for 10 seconds
4. Scrape down and add flour, cocoa and baking soda then mix on Speed 5 for 20 seconds
5. Scrape down once more and mix for a further 15 seconds on Speed 5
6. Pour mixture into a piping bag, and pipe on to baking paper and leave at least 6-8 cm between each round. Mine were approx 4-5cm across – they will spread
7. Place 1 tray at a time into the oven and bake for 10-13 minutes at 180C
8. When the cakes have puffed up and test one with a skewer – if it comes out clean, then they are ready
9. Using a spatula, place them on a wire rack to cool, then cook the rest in the oven

Filling

250g cream cheese

190g icing sugar

1tsp vanilla essence

1. Place all ingredients in the bowl and cream together on Speed 4 for 30 seconds
2. When cakes are cool, pipe filling on to one cake and sandwich together

Hints and Tips

• make your own butter, that way you have fresh softened butter and the buttermilk …..it’s heaps cheaper
• I used a piping bag, but you could just use a spoon to drop your mixture, they will just look more rustic
• Whoopie pies are best served the next day, it allows the vanilla time to settle in the frosting
• If you do want to eat on the day you make them, then consider using less vanilla in the frosting