Let me start by saying this... Getting the perfect bite for a picture is way harder than you think! This particular one took a good three whoopie pies to get to ;).
Now, onto this delicious recipe I found on Pinterest a while back. If you like chocolate (and who doesn't) and peanut butter (and who doesn't), there is a very good chance you will LOVE these whoopie pies. For the record, I added only one thing to the original recipe. I think some lemon zest as garnish is key to making these pies not overwhelmingly sweet. And they look pretty awesome with that pop of yellow, don't you think?
Directions for the cakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking sheet or whoopie pie pan. In a large mixing bowl mix together butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Once mixed, add in the egg and continue beating until all smooth.
Add Dutch process cocoa and continue mixing. Add flour and milk and continue beating until smooth. Make sure it's completely mixed and soft.
Drop the cake dough by 1/4 cupfuls onto baking sheet or fill up whoopie pie pan. If using a baking pan, leave 1 inch between cakes as they will grow.
Bake 11 to 13 minutes until firm. Remove from oven and let cool. Spread peanut butter filling on one pie, while using another pie to press it down. Enjoy immediately or wrap in plastic wrap to store.
Directions for the buttercream
Beat melted butter and peanut butter in a bowl until mixed. Gradually mix in sugar and once thick, add milk in. Continue beating for about 2 minutes until buttercream is spreadable and fluffy.
Ingredients for the cakes
- 1/2 cup butter - melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa
- 2 1/3 cups flour
- 1 cup milk
- Lemon zest
Ingredients for the peanut butter buttercream
- 1/2 cup butter - melted
- 1 cup creamy Peanut Butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups powdered confectioners sugar
Makes 5-6 whoopie pies
A few months back, a co-worker of mine convinced me to join my company's Spartan Race team. He didn't talk it up much: he mentioned it's a long-ish run with a few fun obstacles. You know, no big deal. Something someone who runs as much as me should complete more than easily (read, you don't really need to train for it). Ha ha ha.