Maple Whoopie Pies

This recipe comes to us from the folks at Carman Brook Farm in Swanton, Vermont. We made these whoopie pies recently for a birthday party and they were like a present and dessert all in one package! This recipe makes about 12 whoopie pies.

Ingredients for the cakes:
3/4 cup shortening or butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup pure Vermont maple syrup, preferably a darker grade
2 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt

Directions to make the cakes:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cream together shortening, sugar and eggs.
• Combine milk, maple syrup, and vanilla in a large measuring cup.
• Combine dry ingredients and toss to mix.
• Add the maple syrup mixture and the dry ingredients alternately and mix until fully incorporated.
• Drop large spoonful's on lightly greased baking sheets or use parchment paper.
• Bake 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes and cool on a rack before frosting.

Ingredients for the filling:

1 1/2 cups pure Vermont maple cream (Buy a 1 lb container and store the leftovers in the fridge. They won't last long!)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter

Directions to make the cakes:

• Combine all ingredients and mix thorougly (easiest to do with a stand mixer and the paddle attachment, or an electric hand mixer)
• Generously frost one cake and top it with another.
• Store in the fridge and enjoy!