Description
Indulgent red velvet whoopie pies merge classic Southern charm with playful dessert magic. Cream cheese frosting nestled between rich cocoa cakes creates irresistible handheld treats that will delight you with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
Filling Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange parchment paper on two baking sheets to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture that will ensure smooth texture.
- In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale, incorporating air for a fluffy consistency.
- Blend the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly to create a cohesive base for the whoopie pies.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk to maintain a smooth batter consistency.
- Add red food coloring and mix until the batter achieves a vibrant, uniform red color throughout.
- Using a spoon, drop uniform rounds of batter onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers spring back when lightly touched, indicating perfect doneness.
- Allow the whoopie pie cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, ensuring they reach room temperature before filling.
- Prepare the cream cheese filling by beating butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Once cooled, match cookie halves of similar size and spread a generous layer of cream cheese filling on the flat side of one cookie.
- Gently press a matching cookie half on top of the filling, creating a delightful sandwich with smooth, even coverage.
Notes
- Choose high-quality cocoa powder for richer, deeper flavor and enhance the red velvet’s distinctive taste.
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature to create smoother, more evenly mixed batter that incorporates ingredients perfectly.
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant red color without altering the batter’s consistency.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain soft, cake-like texture of whoopie pies.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg