Classic Whoopie Pies

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Classic Whoopie Pies.

1. Step 1

   Start by preheating your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup later on.

2. Step 2

   In a large mixing bowl, combine 2/3 cup of vegetable shortening and 2 cups of white sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. Next, add in the eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined.

3. Step 3

   In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamy shortening mixture, alternating with 2 cups of milk. Mix just until the dough is smooth and well blended.

4. Step 4

   Now it’s time to drop the dough! Using a tablespoon, scoop out the dough and place it on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each scoop. Aim for round shapes, and you should end up with about 48 cookies.

5. Step 5

   Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are set in the middle. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

6. Step 6

   While the cookies cool, let’s whip up the filling! Pour 3 cups of milk into a large saucepan over low heat. Gradually whisk in 9 tablespoons of flour until the mixture is smooth. Keep whisking as it comes to a simmer, thickening to a pudding-like consistency, which should take about 3 minutes. Once thickened, place the mixture in the refrigerator to cool for about 30 minutes.

7. Step 7

   In another mixing bowl, beat together 1 1/2 cups of vegetable shortening and 1 1/2 cups of butter until well combined. Then, add in 2 1/4 cups of white sugar and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fluffy and smooth. Finally, fold in the cooled milk mixture until it’s all well blended and creamy.

8. Step 8

   Now comes the fun part! Take two cookies of similar size and spread a generous layer of the filling on the flat side of one cookie. Top it with the other cookie, creating a delightful sandwich. Repeat this process with the remaining cookies and filling, and there you have it – your very own whoopie pies!