Ingredients

2cupsall-purpose flour,spoon & leveled

3tbspunsweetened natural cocoa powder

1tspbaking soda

½tspsalt

½cupunsalted butter,softened to room temperature

1cupbrown sugar,packed light

1large egg,room temperature

⅔cupbuttermilk,room temperature

2tsppure vanilla extract

gel red food coloring

6ozcream cheese,block, softened to room temperature

¼cupunsalted butter,softened to room temperature

1½cupsconfectioners’ sugar,sifted plus more for topping

½tsppure vanilla extract

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together.

In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium-high speed until completely smooth and creamy.

Add the brown sugar and beat on medium-high speed until fluffy and combined. Beat in egg on high speed, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

Once the egg is fully combined, beat in the vanilla and buttermilk. The mixture may look curdled at first.

At low speed, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. Add enough food coloring to achieve a deep red hue.

Spoon or scoop mounds of batter, about 1 and ½ tablespoons each, onto prepared baking sheets– about 3-inch apart.

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers appear set. Allow cooling completely before sandwiching.

In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese for 1 minute on high speed until completely smooth and creamy.

Beat in the butter until combined. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla and beat on medium-high speed until combined and creamy.

Pair the cookies up based on their size. Spread cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cookie and sandwich with the other. Repeat with remaining.

Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar on top of each if desired. Cover leftover whoopie pies and store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.