Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl. Set aside.

3. Step 3

   In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, beat the shortening and granulated sugar together for about 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.

4. Step 4

   Add the egg and vanilla, then continue to beat until blended.

5. Step 5

   Add about one-third each of the flour mixture and buttermilk; beat until blended. Add another one-third of the flour mixture and the remaining buttermilk; beat until blended. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat until blended. Cover the bowl, then chill the batter for 1 to 2 hours.

6. Step 6

   Preheat the oven to 350 F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop mounds of batter—about 1 1/2 tablespoons for each cookie—onto the parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches between them.

7. Step 7

   Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes, or just until firm. Remove the pan to a rack and let the cookies cool while you prepare the filling. Prepare the Marshmallow Filling and Assemble

8. Step 8

   Gather the filling ingredients.

9. Step 9

   In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, beat the shortening and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy.

10. Step 10

    Add the marshmallow fluff, vanilla extract, and salt to the bowl; beat until fluffy.

11. Step 11

    To assemble the whoopie pies, spread or pipe the marshmallow filling onto the flat side of a cookie. Top with another cookie, flat-side down. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.