Knock Me Down, Pick Me Up Whoopie Pies

It's late on a Saturday evening, and yes, I'm home blogging.  What does that say?  Sheesh!  Originally, the hubs and I had fantabulous plans for most of the weekend, but Miss Sunshine ended up with a fever today making us homebound all weekend.  Or I should clarify: I am homebound all weekend.  Like the good wifey that I am, I urged hubby to go out and visit with our out of state friends.  How often do we get to see them?  Someone had to represent our fam!  So, for me - plans for dinner with out of state friends: cancelled.  Plans for the baking class with my 16 year old daughter: for other unstated reasons, cancelled.  Plans with friends for the Super Bowl: yes, cancelled. 

So - how does an extravert like myself lick the wounds of having to stay at home alone while my sweet precious babe sleeps?  Yes, she bakes.  And it was so totally worth it. 

After feeling knocked down, this picked me right back up.  Gone was the "woe is me" attitude.  I mean really, how often do I get to snuggle up to my favorite preschooler and watch movie after movie?  And, after she had a little Whoopie Pie, her fever magically disappeared!  A pick me up for mom AND Miss Sunshine = win, win!! 
Woo hoooo!

I found this recipe from another blogger, but I added small chunks of white chocolate - which provided the slightest hint of crunch, which I really like. 

Oh yeah, and it's perfect for Valentine's Day!!  For all of you shy bakers - this is an easy one!  Trust me!

Whoopie Pies
Adapted from "Sweet Pea's Kitchen"'s recipe

For the Whoopie Pies:
2 C All Purpose Flour
2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 C packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 C buttermilk
2 T red food coloring

For the icing:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 C powdered sugar
4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 C white chocolate chips, finely chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment; set aside. In medium bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In large mixing bowl beat butter on medium to high 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk, beating after each addition just until combined. Stir in food coloring.

Drop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 1-inch apart.

Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until tops are set. Cool completely on baking sheets on rack. Remove cooled cookies from baking sheets.

To make the cream filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract and beat until combined. Stir in chopped white chocolate.  Transfer to a piping bag and pipe onto back of 1/2 the cookies.

Enjoy and live with gusto!
Carina