Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Whoopie pies are the new cupcakes!  What's a whoopie pie, you ask?  It's two cakey cookies with frosting in between them, kind of like a moon pie.  They are yummy, easy to pop into a lunch bag, and pretty easy to make.  These would be perfect for a Valentine's day treat!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Source: Bakerella
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
Cookies:
1 box German Chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 (1 ounce) red food color
1 tablespoon unsweetened baking cocoa
Cream Cheese Filling:
1/4 cup butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray cookie sheets generously with cooking spray (or use parchment paper).
In medium bowl, beat all cookie ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until blended.  Onto cookie sheet, drop batter by rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart.
Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until set.  Cool 2 minutes before removing to cooling rack; cool completely.
In medium bowl, beat butter, the cream cheese and vanilla with electric mixer until blended.  Gradually, add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until smooth.  For each sandwich cookie, spread 1 generous tablespoon of filling on bottom of 1 cookie.  Top with second cookie, bottom side down; gently press together.  Store covered in refrigerator.

Amy's Notes:
The last (and only) time I made whoopie pies, they were quite....fluffy.  This time I sprayed a little non-stick spray on the back of a spoon and pressed down the batter before putting them into the oven.  They baked out very nicely into a good consistent shape, thanks to my cookie scoop.  I also used a piping bag to dispense the frosting evenly, but you definitely could just use a knife to spread it.  I think these are perfect for Valentine's day--I've seen mixes being sold in stores!  And you could even cut them into heart shapes!