====== Whoopie Pies ======
I can't believe that this recipe isn't here on resippy yet! This is the Maine favorite - handed down from Timmy Prescott's Nana. 

Makes 2 dozen - so make a double batch! The cookies themselves are criminally good, straight out of the oven, you'll have to stand guard over them until they cool enough to put the filling in.

These became all the rage a few years ago and recipes were published on every blog and in every magazine. Fair warning, done correctly, they contain uncooked eggs - this is the one true path.

They are ok, freshly made, but there's some magic that happens in a day or so, the filling stiffens and the cookies soften and it's very special. When I am old and demented, feed these to me. [mike]

Note: I always struggle with these.  My cookies are usually fine. Today the cookie dough was like cookie dough and it's supposed to be closer to the consistency of very stiff cake batter - you should need one spoon to scoop it and one to swipe it off onto the baking sheet. Next time I'll add a little milk if it's that stiff - otherwise the cookies are a bit stiffer and the filling squeezes out when you bite down. And, I always, always struggle with the filling, it needs to be really thick so you can pile it between the cookies and not have it run out. You can make it stiffer by adding more confectioner's sugar until it's right, ut then you have too much. Next time I might just use 1.5 egg whites.

Also note, the filling comes out yellow and has flavor and texture from the margarine. So often, even in Maine, you find store bought ones with white filling that tastes like sugar or worse, marshmallow fluff - fakes, poor substitutes made by charlatans.

===== Ingredients =====
  * 1/2 cup shortening
  * 1 cup sugar
  * 2 egg yolks
  * 5 T Cocoa
  * 1 tsp vanilla extract

  * 2 cups flour
  * 1 tsp baking powder
  * 1/2 tsp baking soda
  * 1/2 tsp salt
  * 1 cup milk

  * 1/2 cup softened margarine (yep, it's an old recipe and butter only sorta works)
  * 2 cups confectioners sugar
  * 2 egg whites
  * 1 tsp vanilla

===== Directions =====
  - cream together: shortening, sugar, egg yolks, cocoa and vanilla
  - then add: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and milk
  - drop from a teaspoon onto a baking sheet, bake at 350 for 12 minutes

  - To make filling mix together margarine, confectioners sugar, egg whites, vanilla
  - beat on high speed with electric mixer
  - spread between cooked (and cooled!) cookies


originally submitted by mike on Feb 22, 2022
{{tag>mike}}