Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Happy Holidays!
The tree is up and I'm playing annoyingly great jingly tunes. So what's next? Time to get into some serious Christmas baking. I'm still eating cranberry bread, its so nice this time of year and I'm hoping to squeeze in a lot of other festive treats on here before I fly to Edinburgh for Christmas.

I've pretty much been waiting all year to make these and I couldn't wait any longer! These little cakes just scream Christmas, they're so festive.

The cake is extremely moist and tender with a subtle cocoa flavor and the vanilla filling is very creamy and delicious. I know the majority of whoopie pies either have a cream cheese or marshmallow filling but this frosting definitely plays its part as a perfect creamy center.
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies:
(makes 15 whoopie pies)

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8th teaspoon salt
• 2-3 teaspoons red food coloring

Filling:
(makes 1 cup)

• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch salt

Pre-heat oven to 375F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a large bowl cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla extract.

Whisk in the egg and salt until smooth and then mix in the buttermilk.

Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda.

Then add the red food coloring and mix to combine evenly.

Evenly scoop out teaspoons of the mixture on to the lined baking tray separating each at least an inch apart (for 2 inch whoopie pies).

Bake in the middle of the oven at 375F for 7-9 minutes (you will have to do this in batches).

Allow the little cakes to cool on a rack.

To make the filling, whisk together the butter, milk, vanilla and salt then slowly add the confectioners sugar while whisking until you have a smooth frosting.

Place a heaped teaspoon of the filling on the underside of 1/2 the cake circles and place the other 1/2 of the cakes on top to sandwich.