From 2014 Taste of Home Holidays & Celebrations. TRY IT FREE.

Goldern Gouda Mushroom Soup

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Fun, festive Christmas sweets!
"Everyone gets a kick out of this fun take on the trendy cake. Take a shortcut and use packaged cream cheese frosting for the filling."
—Judi Dexheimer, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Yield:
2 dozen

Prep:
40 min

Bake:
10 min./batch + cooling

 

    Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

    Filling

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract

    Toppings

  • White baking chips, melted
  • Finely chopped pecans

 

    Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, sour cream, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in cooled chocolate.
  2. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on bottom of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies.
  4. Drizzle with melted baking chips; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate until serving.

Freeze option: Freeze cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw cookies in covered containers. Fill and decorate as directed.