Whoopie pies are a favorite among children. They're delicious and sweet, two things that every kid loves. Plus, a traditional whoopie pie is chocolate, another thing that children adore. Finally, they're hand-sized. That means that even the smallest of children can enjoy one!
If you've ever been to Pennsylvania, chances are you've tried a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch whoopie pie. They're very common in this state, appearing in numerous stores and markets. Many spins on the traditional whoopie pie have come about in recent years.
The popularity of whoopie pies has spread beyond Pennsylvania. They can now be found in a lot of different states, particularly in areas with a large Amish population. This recipe will allow you to make your own whoopie pies at home. It's especially useful if you don't live in an area where they're sold.
Once you've made this whoopie pie recipe, feel free to try out other varieties of whoopie pie! Another common flavor is chocolate chip. Pumpkin whoopie pies often make an appearance in fall. Talk to your kids, and decide together what new whoopie pie flavors you want to make!
Pennsylvania Dutch Whoopie Pies
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Pennsylvania Dutch Whoopie Pies are a hometown favorite, with chocolate being the original cake flavor. Our recipe for the chocolate cake confection filled with homemade vanilla cream filling tastes like they came fresh from the ovens at the Amish farmer’s market!
Ingredients:
Cookie Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup milk
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup hot water
Filling Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
½ cup butter
3 ½ cups confectioner's sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup half and half
1 ½ Tablespoons vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of shortening and white sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time then stir in the vanilla and milk.
4. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt, stir into the creamed mixture.
5. Stir together the baking soda and hot water then add to the batter.
6. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 8 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm but not over baked. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
8. To make the filling: In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and butter with the confectioner's sugar and 1/4 cup of flour until light and fluffy.
9. Gradually beat in the half and half and vanilla until well mixed. Sandwich some filling between the flat sides of two cookies to form each whoopie pie.