2 cups unsifted flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup hot water
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
Frosting:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tbsp milk
Making the Cookies
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour and the cocoa; set aside. In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the hot water, then add milk, set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and beat another minute. Mix in half of the dry ingredients, then half of the wet; repeat.
Drop batter by heaping teaspoons, about 2 inches apart, on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool thoroughly.
Making the Filling
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter, shortening, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting has a creamy consistency.
Assemble
Using a butter knife, spread the frosting between two cookies. Wrap Whoopie Pies individually or place them in a single layer on a plate.
Makes 2 dozen.
About the Author
Kim Tilley, a tightwad at heart, is a wife, a mother of three active boys. Frugal by force and later by choice, Kim cut her income by 60% to stay at home with her children and discovered that anyone can live better for less. Her work has appeared in print publications such as The Tightwad Gazette. In her free time, she entertains herself by chasing kids and finding ways to create something from nothing!
Mother's Day is right around the corner. Celebrate mom this year with plenty of crafts, recipes and plenty of other ideas. Here are a few examples to get you started...