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!