Pastry School Diaries: Peanut Butter Cup Whoopie Pies with Chocolate & Peanut Butter Glaze

I have a confession. I am in no way, shape, or form a fan of cupcakes. Even a little.

Phew, I am feeling loads better. Good confession.

The ratio of cake to frosting is too skewed in my opinion. I would rather have a bite of cake, with a side of frosting. A super-sized-side. God, Mayor Bloomberg would hate me...although I do drink diet soda.

See, whoopie pies are different. You are guaranteed frosting in each and every bite.

Sound familiar? Remember Seinfeld's explanation of the Black & White cookie...same premise for whoopie pie nonetheless...

Another reason I cannot comply with the cupcake craze...STORAGE! Those cupcake storage/stacking trays are bulky. I don't like buying storage items that only facilitate one type of food, who has room for that? Also, cupcakes cannot be stacked on top of each other or wrapped individually without worrying about denting-the-doo' (frosting). But whoopie pies...you can wrap these pie's-o-heaven in plastic wrap and they keep like a dream.

I'm a a bit of a storage freak but that's because my kitchen is bursting at the seams. You wouldn't believe the way I've managed to stack my Tupperware, bakeware, kid-ware, endless varieties of flours, sugars, you name it, I've got one of each. All in a kitchen smaller than a 10 x 10 office. If there was a storage-stacking-competition you better believe I'd win. 1st AND 2nd place.

The creation of these peanut butter whoopie pies came out of a necessity to use up some left over peanut butter cups from Christmas. As always I can not leave well enough alone. I whipped up a chocolate peanut butter glaze (which you cannot see in the photo above because it's 'sandwiched' in, but trust me it's there. And it's lethal.

I'm the reason belts have lots of holes. Enjoy.

Peanut Butter Cup Whoopie Pies with Chocolate & Peanut Butter Glaze

makes 15-17 whoopie pies

printable version

Ingredients

For the cookies:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons instant espresso powder (NOT instant coffee)

1/2 cup hot coffee

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup canola oil

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup buttermilk, shaken

For the filling:

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the chocolate & peanut butter glaze:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup powdered sugar

20 miniature REESE'S peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped

Directions

To prepare the cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Alternatively, you can use specially designed whoopie pie pans. Just be sure to spray them well with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, sift the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

Whisk to combine. Set aside.

In another large bowl, sift together the cocoa powder and espresso powder. Whisk to combine.

Add the hot coffee and 1/2 cup hot water and whisk until both powders are completely dissolved.

In a medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar and oil.

Add this to the cocoa mixture and whisk until combined.

Add the egg, vanilla, and buttermilk and whisk until smooth.

Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Make sure to scrap down the bowl as you fold.

Use a small ice cream scoop with a release mechanism to drop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared pan, about 1 inch apart (if using baking sheets).

Bake for about 10-15 minutes until the cookies are just starting to crack on top. Let the cookies cool completely on the pan while you prepare the filling. If you are using a whoopie pie pan, let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling (otherwise they will get stuck inside the pan).

For the filling, combine the butter and peanut butter in the bowl of a stand up mixer. Mix on low until creamy.

Sift the sugar into the bowl and add the salt. Mix on low to incorporate.

Increase speed to medium and beat for about 4 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

To prepare the glaze, combine butter, peanut butter, corn syrup, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water in a microwave-safe bowl.

Heat in a microwave oven on High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, until butter is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.

Add chocolate chips and stir until completely melted and smooth.

Sift in powdered sugar and stir until blended.

Refrigerate 10 minutes, or until glaze is of spreading consistency.

To assemble, transfer the peanut filling and glaze into separate piping bags. I used a number 12 tip for the filling and a number 3 tip for the glaze.

Here is a tip to easily fill your bags. With the tips in place, fold top cuff of the bag over the side of the glass. Fill your bag half way full, twist securely and hold the end of the bag in place with a rubber band.

*Instead of using piping bags you can alternatively use an offset spatula to ice the cookies with the filling. Transfer the glaze to a small zip lock bag, cut off a tiny portion of the corner and pipe the glaze over the filling.

Place one cookie flat side up. Place a generous dollop of filling on the cookie (not a mountain or it will squish out the sides when you bite into it). Add a drizzle of the chocolate peanut butter glaze.