I happen to think that the brilliance of this treat is in its similarity to that other genius creation, the sandwich. It's all the glories of a piece of cake, but with the messy bits tucked carefully into a neat, portable exterior. No fork. No wrapper. No glamour. Just a pie you can easily eat with one had while steering your horse and buggy with the other.
Whoopie Pies
(c/o The New York Times--my recipe makes 2 sizable pies)
For the Cake:
2 Tbsp butter, room temp
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp egg substitute (or 1/4 beaten egg)
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp cocoa
1/4 cup buttermilk (or 3 T yogurt + 1 T milk)
1/2 Tbsp veg oil
For the Filling
1 Egg white
5 Tbsp butter, room temp
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch salt
To prepare the cakes:
- Preheat oven to 350º. Beat butter and sugar till fluffy. Add egg and nilla. Beat some more.
- Combine all dry ingredients (flour through cocoa) in a small bowl. Pour oil into buttermilk. Then, beginning with the flour mixture, add alternately with the buttermilk to the batter (flour - b'milk - flour - b'milk - flour) until it's all incorporated.
- On a parchment lined baking sheet, scoop out four, 1/4-cup sized scoops. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until cakes spring back when pressed lightly. Cool on a rack.
Now, the filling:
- In a double boiler or a bowl set over simmering water, whisk together the egg and sugar, vigorously, until sugar is dissolved and mixture reaches 180º. (Confession: I don't think I got up to 180, I just sort of guestimated and it came out fine.)
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and beat on high speed (with whisk attachment if you have that option) for a good long while, until doubled in volume, thick, and shiny. Reduce speed and add butter 1 Tbsp at a time.
- Finish with vanilla and salt, then hit the beaters up to high again for one minute. You should have a nice, stiff cream.
- Split between 2 cookies and sandwich them to make pies!
UPDATE: These cakes are good when fresh, but oh-my-irresistible good on the second day. If you're planning on taking them somewhere or serving them for something, get a jump on and make them in advance....
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