Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Back in February 2011, Maine lawmakers were poised to make the "whoopie pie" the official state dessert - even though some claim the chocolate cake/cookie sandwich filled with white fluffy filling was actually invented in Pennsylvania.

In the end, they plumped for the far healthier option of the Wild Blueberry Pie as the state dessert, as blueberries represent a major industry there. Instead, the Whoopie Pie was awarded the booby prize of state snack.

Whatever its provenance, it certainly is a tasty treat. A delicious mixture of cookie and cake, sandwiched together with creamy vanilla filling, and it is growing in popularity. It's the new cupcake.

Ingredients:

• 230g Plain flour
• 75g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 170g butter,softened
• 150g sugar
• 1 egg, room temp
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 60ml buttermilk
• 120ml coffee or lukewarm water

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 F / 170 C / Gas mark 4
2. Beat the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy
3. Sift the flour and cocoa together in a separate bowl and put to one side
4. Beat the egg and vanilla extract together, then add to the butter & sugar a little at a time, blending well in between each addition
5. Mix the coffee/water and buttermilk together
6. Beat the a third of the buttermilk/water mixture into the butter/sugar 
7. Now beat in a third of the flour/cocoa mix
8. Repeat this alternating between the buttermilk and flour until all are fully combined.
9. Spoon small teaspoon sized dollops of the mixture onto lined baking sheet, and bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly pressed.
10. Once fully cooled, sandwich together with a vanilla cream, or for a more authentic filling, use Fluff, the marshmallow crème that can be bought online or from many department stores.

Makes about 12 sandwiched cookies.