Recipe courtesy of Jessie Sheehan
Chocolate Grasshopper Whoopie Pies with Minty Green Buttercream
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 15 pies
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 15 servings
- Calories
- 302
- Total Fat
- 15
- Saturated Fat
- 5
- Carbohydrates
- 40
- Dietary Fiber
- 1
- Sugar
- 26
- Protein
- 3
- Cholesterol
- 32
- Sodium
- 185
- Total: 45 min (includes cooling time)
- Active: 20 min
Ingredients
For the Whoopies:
2/3 cup (53 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 cup (118 milliliters) very hot tap water
1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
1 cup packed (200 grams) light brown sugar
1/2 cup (118 milliliters) vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/4 cup (59 milliliters) buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (227 grams) all-purpose flour
For the Buttercream:
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups (240 grams) confectioners’ sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream, at room temperature
1 to 2 drops green food coloring
Green sparkling sugar for decorating
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Have ready two parchment-lined baking sheets.
- To make the whoopies, whisk together the cocoa powder, water, and espresso powder (if using) in a glass liquid measuring cup or small bowl and set aside. Whisk together the brown sugar, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl for 30 seconds; whisk in the egg and then the buttermilk, then sprinkle the baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl, one at a time, vigorously whisking after each. Fold half of the flour into the bowl with a flexible spatula, followed by the cocoa powder mixture, and then the other half of the flour. Fold just until the last streak of flour disappears. Don’t overmix.
- Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of batter, using a portion scoop or measuring spoons, evenly placing 12 on each prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, rotating and swapping the placement of the sheets at the halfway point, until the pies are dry to the touch and bounce back when lightly pressed. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the pans before filling. Repeat with any remaining batter.
- To make the buttercream, beat together the butter, peppermint extract, and salt on medium-low speed in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until smooth. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 cup (60 grams) at a time, alternating with splashes of the cream, scraping the bowl with a flexible spatula, as needed. Add the food coloring, a drop at a time, until you achieve green nirvana, and beat for an additional 3 minutes on medium speed, until light and fluffy. Turn half of the pies upside down, top with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of filling, and cover with an upturned pie, pressing gently. Place the green sparkling sugar in a shallow bowl and roll the edges of the just-filled pies in the sugar and serve. Keep the whoopies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.