Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

I hate Valentine's Day.  But I love these!  And if one actually liked Valentine's Day, these would be the perfect treat.  

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons red food coloring

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

4 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.  

2.  Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

3.  In a separate bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds.  Add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and vanilla.

4.  Alternate between adding flour mixture and buttermilk.  Beat after each addition until just combined.  Stir in food coloring.

5.  Drop dough onto baking sheets.

6.  Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until tops are set.  Cool.

7.  Using a stand mixer and the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.  Beat in vanilla extract.

8.  Pipe filling onto half of cookies.  Top with remaining cookies to make sandwiches.

Source:  Sweet Pea's Kitchen