what's for your sweet tooth {red velvet whoopie pies}.

i am such a sucker for holidays.  valentine's day is no exception.  i totally get that people dislike it for the commercialism and aisles upon aisles of pink and red that flood stores on december 26th, but still.  i love it.  each year, i try to do something special for our family.  little craft projects and baking goodies.  candlelit family dinners and special deliveries.

this year, i came across this recipe on pinterest and i knew i had found my valentine's day goodie.  whoopie pies are a huge thing in maine.  huge.  if you aren't familiar with them, the traditional version is two round chocolate cake flats sandwiched with thick, white creamy frosting.  super yummy.  there have been several variations of these treats, but you will find them in gift stores, bakeries, cafes and even gas stations all across our state.

delish.

i also {heart} red velvet cake.  who doesn't?  after living in texas for seven years, this southern delight has totally made it's way into my dessert favs.  so, this recipe is the perfect marriage of my maine heritage and nick's texan one baked into a delicious valentine's day treat.

here is the recipe, taken from the fabulous site, annie's eats.

red velvet whoopie pies

* 2 c. all purpose flour
* 2 T. cocoa powder
* 1/2 t. baking powder
* 1/4 t. salt
* 8 T. butter, softened
* 1 c. light brown sugar, packed
* 1 egg
* 1 t. vanilla
* 1/2 c. buttermilk at room temperature
* a few drops of red food coloring

- whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
- in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together butter and brown sugar on medium speed until fluffy; about two minutes.
- beat in egg until incorporated.  then add vanilla.
- with mixer on low speed, add 1/3 of the dry mixture, followed by half of the buttermilk, beating just until incorporated.  repeat so that all of the buttermilk has been added and then mix the final third of the dry ingredients.  do not overmix!
- add red food coloring until desired shade.
- transfer batter to pastry bag (or a plastic bag and cut the corner for a tip).  pipe heart shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- bake 7-9 minutes, or until cookies are set.  allow to completely cool.

frosting:
* 8 oz. cream cheese
* 5 T. butter, softened
* 2 t. vanilla
* 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar

- cream together cream cheese and butter.  add vanilla.
- add powdered sugar and combine until creamy.
- either pipe or spread frosting with a knife and sandwich heart cookies together.  makes approximately 12 whoopie pies, depending on how big you make your cookies

so delish.  definitely an indulgent treat, but it's valentine's day right?

note: the original recipe instructs you to trace a heart template with a pencil onto parchment paper.  flip paper over and use the traced heart as a guide to pipe your batter.  but, really...who has time for that?  i just winged it.  which is probably why i gave up on hearts halfway through and resorted to just doing plain ole rounds.  either way, equally cute, equally delicious.

enjoy!