RED VELVET WHOOPIE PIES

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies image

Everyone gets a kick out of this fun take on the popular red velvet cake. Take a shortcut and use packaged cream cheese frosting for the filling. -Judi Dexheimer, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1-1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
TOPPINGS:
White baking chips, melted
Finely chopped pecans

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, sour cream, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in cooled chocolate., Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on bottom of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies., Drizzle with melted baking chips; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate until serving. Freeze option: Freeze cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw cookies in covered containers. Fill and decorate as directed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 272 calories, Fat 15g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 56mg cholesterol, Sodium 199mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.