Chocolate Mint Whoopie Pies

Total Time: 54 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 9 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 2 ounces chopped chocolate
• 5 tablespoons heavy cream, divided
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar (1-pound)
• 1 teaspoon pure mint extract (or peppermint extract)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 10 peppermint candies, crushed into fine pieces

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375. line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 2 for cookies: combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl; set aside.
• 3 beat together sugar, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. stir in milk. gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed.
• 4 drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.
• 5 bake until edges appear set, 7 to 9 minutes. cool on pan 1 minute. remove to wire rack and cool completely.
• 6 for chocolate mint buttercream filling: combine chocolate and 3 tablespoons cream in microwave-safe bowl. heat for one minute at medium (50%) power, stirring at 30-second intervals until melted and smooth. cool to room temperature.
• 7 beat butter in large bowl with electric mixture on medium speed until creamy. gradually beat in powdered sugar, the remaining 2 tablespoons heavy cream, mint extract, vanilla and salt on low speed until blended.
• 8 to assemble, spread the bottom sides of half the cookies with the chocolate mint buttercream filling. top with the remaining cookies, bottom sides down; press gently together. sprinkle the edges of the buttercream with crushed peppermint candies.