Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies

I’ve wanted to make Whoopie Pies for ages and when I had a bag of Caramel Chocolate Chips hanging about I knew exactly what to do with them.

Whoopie Pies are a flattish cake that are sandwiched together with a creamy middle. The most traditional centre is the Marshmallow Cream which is what I used.

I didn’t expect them to be so moorish and was amazed how quickly they disappeared. The recipe made at least 48 mini pies which sandwiched together made 24 proper whoopie pies (yes, I can bake and do maths!) I will admit that they were a bit of a faff but I will make them again. The cream made them that bit more special although no-one complained when they ate the remaining pies sans cream.

Vanilla Whoopies with Chocolate Caramel Chips

2oz butter

2oz trex (shortening) I know it sounds grim but it does make them work

2 large eggs

8oz caster sugar

4tbsp milk

10oz plain flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

Between 7-10 oz Caramel chocolate chips depending on how much chocolate you like in your whoopies

1 tsp white wine vinegar (or red if you’ve got none)

pinch of salt

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment.

2. Beat together the butter, shortening and sugar for at least 2 minutes until really pale. (preferable use a stand mixer with paddle attachment but any mixer will do). Add the eggs, one at a time, still mixing. Add the milk and flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt alternately until the flour is just combined. Add the vanilla.

3. Stir in the chocolate chips.

4. Drop a tablespoon of the mix onto the baking sheets – I spread them out so there were 12 patties on each sheet.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until just browning. Remove and allow to cool.

Marshmallow Cream Filling

1 jar Marshmallow Fluff (I got it at Selfridges)

5oz Trex (shortening) Ugh!

6-8oz Icing Sugar

1.5 tbsp Vanilla Extract

1. In a mixer, combine the Marshmallow Fluff and the Trex and vanilla until mixed together.

2. Add 1 tbsp Icing sugar at a time whilst the mixer is still going on a slow speed – you will think it is too stiff but after a few seconds it will settle and you will be able to keep adding.

3. When all the icing sugar is combined, turn the mixer to medium then beat for 2 minutes.

4. Spoon a good blob onto one of the Whoopie Pies and then sandwich together and enjoy!