a little valentine love...


So it's the day after. Did you have fun? Was it wonderful? What made your Valentine's Day? In my house food = love. Gee, I bet you didn't know that. ;>)

Anyhoo, yesterday it was Jerry's turn to choose the dessert and oh what a dessert he chose. Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to the Red Velvet Whoopie Pie brought to you by the foodies at the Food Network Magazine. This recipe was crazy insane for my glycemic levels. I mean brutal! The taste however was much more palatable.

The whoopie pies are a cross between a cookie and a brownie. I must admit red velvet is not my favorite flavor, but these weren't bad. The texture was rather thick and got stuck in my teeth. It felt like red velvet peanut butter. The frosting is what saved the day. Sugar +cream cheese+butter= BLISS my people. I mean BLISSS!!! The combination of the two made for a fairly decent dessert. On a scale of 1-10, a solid 6 from the American judge.

I promise no more sweets this week as we head into Lent. I will still post them in the coming weeks but not as many so that those of you who are giving them up for Lent will still like me on Easter morning. I know, I'm generous that way.

Happy Shrove Tuesday everyone!!
Celebrate the Feast!
Mary
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Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
from the Food Network Magazine


Ingredients:

For the Cookies:
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 ounce milk chocolate, chopped
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and seeds scraped
Directions
Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the semisweet and milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50 percent power until melted, about 2 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

Whisk the melted butter, sour cream, eggs, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring in a bowl until combined. In another bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in four equal batches, whisking each batch completely before adding the next. Stir in the melted chocolate.

Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets and smooth the tops with a damp finger. Bake until the cookies spring back when lightly pressed, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the cream cheese and butter with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla seeds. Sandwich a heaping tablespoonful of filling between 2 cookies; repeat with the remaining cookies and filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.


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