classic [whoopie] pies.

{ingredients}:

1/2 c. shortening

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1 1/4 c. buttermilk or sour milk

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

Creamy filling

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in buttermilk, egg, and vanilla until combined. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and cocoa powder. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour mixture.

2. Drop dough from a rounded measuring tablespoon 2 1/2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet (Keep mounds of dough in nicely rounded shapes). Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the edges are firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.

3. Spread the flat sides of half the cookies with a rounded tablespoon of Creamy Filling. Top with the remaining cookies, flat side down. Makes about 16 sandwich cookies.

Creamy Filling:

In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 c. milk and 1/4 c. all-purpose flour. Cook and serve over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat; cool. In a large bowl, beat 3/4 c. softened butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in 2 c. powdered sugar until fluffy. Beat in 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat cooled milk mixture, one large spoonful at a time, into butter mixture. Beat on high for 1 minute or until filling is smooth and fluffy.