I don’t think I’ve seen more whoopie pies in my life.  It seems every magazine, cooking blog, recipe book etc. is featuring whoopie pies.  So I figured, why not?  We should join the crowd!  When I saw this recipe for jello frosting on http://coleensrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/11/kid-friendly-jello-frosting.html I knew it would be a perfect fit for Valentines Day.  In addition, today is Eunice’s birthday:  WHOOPIE!!!  Happy Birthday girl.  Hope you have a fabulous day filled with lots of jello joy!

For the whoopie pies, I used a recipe from Family Fun.   http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/whoopie-pies-975408/

Whoopie Pies

2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup softened butter- not melted, just soft

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

1.  Heat oven to 350.  In a bowl or zip-lock bag mix:  flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.  Mix and set aside.

2.  Cream butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.

3.  Add half the flour mixture to creamed butter mixture and mix.  Then add half buttermilk and mix.  Add remaining flour mixture, mixing well and remaining buttermilk and mix well.

4.  With a spoon (I like to use a small cookie/ice cream scoop to get a uniform shape and size)  scoop out batter onto a prepared cookie sheet.  (I like to use parchment paper.)

5.  Bake for 8 minutes at 350.  Remove from oven and cool on cookie sheet.

Whoopie Pie review: These cookies are perfect for whoopie pies-  just be careful, if you overcook or if the butter is melted rather than just softened they will go flat and thin.  Then they are too thin and delicate.  They would make a yummy cookie for an ice cream sandwich.

Jello Frosting/Filling

3 ounce pkg. of raspberry or strawberry jello

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 egg white

1 tsp. vanilla

Place the above ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Turn mixer on high and then slowly stream 1/2 cup boiling water over ingredients.  Whip on high for five minutes- occasionally scraping down the bowl.

Spoon filling onto cookie- again a little cookie scoop works great.  Top with another cookie and press lightly.

*Frosting Review: This is truly a unique frosting.  It has a bit of a marshmallowy texture.  It is very light and fluffy.  It is best to decorate right away as it sets up a bit.  I think that I would prefer a more traditional filling on whoopie pies, but it would be great on cupcakes.   The best part is, you can use any flavor you want ie:  blueberry for 4th of July, orange for Halloween etc.

Now Go Make Some Whoopie Pies and Have Some Jello Joy Today!

Are you still trying to figure out what to do for your valentine?  You can count on us, your friendly super jello heroines.  We are here to save the day!

This recipe does take some planning.  First you will need to make some marshmallows.  I think I have finally found the recipe that I like, I combined 2 different recipes and this is what I came up with.

Jello Flavored Marshmallows

1- 3oz package jello (I used strawberry)

2- envelopes unflavored gelatin

1/2 C.  Cold water

1 2/3 C. Sugar

2/3 C. light corn syrup

1/4 C. water

1/4 t. salt

1 T. Vanilla extract

Powdered Sugar

Line a pan with wax paper and spray with non-stick spray (I used an 8×11.5 pan but they were too tall, I had to cut the marshmallow hearts in half.  Next time I think I will use a 9×13)

In bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin and jello over 1/2 C. cold water.  Let soften for about 10 min.

Meanwhile, combine sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 C. water in a small saucepan, bring mixture to a rapid boil and let it boil for 1 min.  Pour syrup mixture onto gelatin and jello mixture.  Using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed.  Add salt and beat for 12 min.  After 12 mins., add vanilla and beat to incorporate.

Spray a rubber spatula with non-stick spray and pour into prepared pan using the rubber spatula.  Gently press some plastic wrap, sprayed with non-stick spray onto the top of the marshmallows to create a seal. Let mixture sit several hours or over night until cooled and set.

Lightly dust counter with powdered sugar and dump the marshmallows out.  Cut into pieces and dredge in powdered sugar.  I have found that scissors work the best for cutting the marshmallows, if you just want to make square marshmallows or dip a cookie cutter in powdered sugar and cut into shapes.  You may have to wash the cookie cutter every so often, when it gets too sticky.  Store in an airtight container.

Next you will need to make the cookies. I found the recipe on The Birthday Blog. The first pan I made, I cooked for 15 minutes like the recipe said to do.  I didn’t consider that the cookie they made was much bigger than the ones I made and when I pulled them out of the oven they were black.  So in my oven it only took 6 minutes for smaller cookies.

The next step is the easiest,  just melt some chocolate and sandwich the cookies and marshmallows together, and decorate any way you like.

Now go and have some jello s’mores joy!

*I linked up on the link parties over on fingerprints on the fridge and Tatertots and jello, go check out the other cool links.

Is the end of the school year and the beginning of summer absolutely crazy for you?  Both Jello Girl and I have had jam packed schedules for the last couple of months.

We are back now with a fun summer recipe for you.  It’s something different, something not too hard and it just might be a go to recipe for all the summer picnics, BBQ’s, family reunions and whatever else you like to do in the summer time.

Jello Cookies

1 Tbsp. vinegar plus enough canned milt to make 1 cup, combine vinegar and milk and set aside

1 C. soft butter

1 1/2 C. sugar

1 box jello(3 oz.)

2 eggs (unbeaten)

2 tsp. vanilla

In a mixer or a bowl, mix above ingredients while adding soured milk and…

6 1/2 C. flour

2 tsp. soda

2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 425,  roll out dough and cut in desired shapes and cook for 10-12 min.

I cheated with the frosting. I bought cream cheese frosting.  But next time I try these cookies I am going to make some cream cheese frosting from scratch.  Just think of the possibilities, you could use any kind of jello and garnish with whatever fruit is in season, or it doesn’t even need a fruit garnish.   The flavored whipped cream might be really yummy on this cookie or maybe even a poured frosting or a marshmallow fondant.  If you try this recipe, please send in your thoughts and comments.  We would love to hear what flavor you tried and see pictures of your jello cookie creations.

Now go have some jello cookie joy!

Eunice