Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

For the chocolate cake

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk

For the peanut butter filling

• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• salt
• 4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat two baking sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium spped to mix butter and sugar until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until smooth after each egg. Mix in vanilla extract.

3. 3

   In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add half the flour mixture to mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until combined. Add half the buttermilk and mix again on medium until smooth. Repeat with remaining flour and buttermilk, and mix until smooth. Batter will be thick and slightly springy.

4. 4

   Drop 2-tbsp portions of batter onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each portion to allow for spreading. Bake for 11-13 minutes, until puffed and set but still soft when touched lightly with finertips. Let cakes cool for 3 minutes on baking sheets before transferring them to wire racks to finish cooling, about 15-20 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.

5. 5

   Prepare filling while cakes are baking and cooling. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix cream cheese, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt until creamy. Add half the confectioner's sugar; mix on low at first to combine, then on high until smooth. Add remaining confectioner's sugar and milk and blend on low, then on medium until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

6. 6

   Assemble whoopie pies. Spoon filling onto the flat sides of half the cakes, dividing it evenly among cakes. Top with remaining cakes, flat side against the filling, rounded side up. Serve immediately, or wrap each whoopie pie individually in plastic wrap and store at room temp for up to two days or in the freezer for up to two months.