Ryan's Peppermint Patty Whoopie Pies

Guest Blogger: Ryan Buckley 

This is another recipe from Giada's show on the Food Network. I really like whoopie pies and the chocolate flavor and the subtle peppermint flavor. The use of peppermint patties in the cookie filling seems very unique. My cousin Tim is not a fan of peppermint but he even liked these. Not everybody likes candy canes so we only did a few with the crushed candy canes. I would really want to make these again.

Ryan's Peppermint Patty Whoopie Pies

• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 
  
• 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 10 chocolate-coated peppermint candies, such as York Peppermint Patties, chopped
• 5 candy canes, crushed, optional

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Melt the chocolate and 1 stick of the butter over medium heat in a double boiler. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Set aside. To the bowl with the melted chocolate, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla and salt. Whisk to combine. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the yogurt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour mixture being careful to avoid over-mixing. 

Scoop 1-tablespoon mounds of the batter on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1-inch between each cookie. Bake the cookies for about 9 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through. Slide the cookies on the parchment onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

 Meanwhile make the filling. In a medium bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the remaining 2 sticks butter and the confectioners' sugar; mix until light and fluffy, starting on low speed to avoid splatter and work up to medium speed, 3 minutes. Add the peppermint extract, salt and peppermint candies. Beat on medium speed until the candies are broken apart and evenly distributed, 2 minutes. Spread the filling on the flat side of half of the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies. Roll the edges in the crushed candy canes if using and serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.  Enjoy!