New Recipe Sunday: Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling

If you're anything like me, Red Velvet anything is a good idea.  So for this Sunday's new recipe, I thought I would share one of my faves......Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling.  Enjoy!!

Ingredients

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

Filling

8 oz. cream cheese, softened 
1/2 cup butter, softened 
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar 
1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips (for garnish, optional)

Directions

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.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets or greased whoopie pie baking pan. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

For filling, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and light.  Add vanilla and mix well.  Slowly add sugar a little at a time and mix well in between additions until filling is fluffy and spreadable.  Spread filling on bottom of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies.  Roll finished whoopie pies in mini chocolate chips for added deliciousness.