Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Food coloring creeps me out. It smells weird. It stains my clothes. I can't read half the ingredients on the label. I mean, why does it have to be red velvet? Why can't it just be velvet? What's the point of the red!? Last year I attempted to use all-natural food coloring to achieve that brilliant red color for some cupcakes... and I failed miserably. They weren't very red, at all. That's when I realized that I can't change the idea in every person's mind regarding that unnaturally bright color associated with anything "red velvet". The only way to make something red velvet was to use food coloring (or beets).

So when my brother requested I make red velvet whoopie pies, I very reluctantly purchased some red food coloring. I suppose my reluctance comes from the idea that when I'm cooking or baking something from scratch, one of the advantages is that I get to choose the quality of the ingredients I include. Why would I put something artificial in my homemade food if I could just purchase it that way? But as I watched the red coloring beautifully swirl into my whoopie pie batter, I realized food coloring in small doses and on occasion can't hurt.

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Sweet, tangy, and mildly chocolate.
Texture: The cakes are soft, slightly thick, and the filling is rich and creamy.
Ease: Not hard at all.
Appearance: RED!
Pros: Perfect for a multitude of holidays (or any old day). They stay fresh in the fridge for days.
Cons: The food coloring.
Would I make this again? Yes, probably for Christmas or Valentine's day.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Makes about 30 sandwiches
Adapted from Dinner & Dessert and Annie's Eats
For the cookies:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick, 1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 ounce red food coloring

For the frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

For the cookies:
Adjust oven rack to middle position; preheat oven to 375 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.

In large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter on medium-high speed for 30 seconds, until smooth. Add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. With mixer at medium speed, add egg and beat until thoroughly combined, then beat in vanilla. Add in flour mixture and buttermilk alternatively, starting and ending with buttermilk mixture. Fold batter with a spatula once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour. Blend in food coloring.

Spoon (or pipe) tablespoonfuls of batter on prepared baking sheets, allowing 1 inch between each round.

Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until tops are set. Cool completely on cookie sheets.

For the filling:
Add cream cheese and butter to mixer bowl and beat until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with vanilla. Beat until smooth.

To fill, dollop (or pipe) cream cheese filling on flat sides of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down.

Whoopie pies can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 4 days. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.