Banana Whoopie Pies

I had two medium sized bananas that were beginning to brown. I was about to succumb to making, what else, banana bread.

Seeing as I was going to be baking dessert later in the afternoon and having a strong desire to avoid spending the entire day in the kitchen, I began thinking if there was a single dish that could satisfy both my needs. Was there actually a dessert that I could make where two medium bananas would not only fit into the recipe, but also be the star?  

I have made banana cake, but it tends to be dense, heavy, and not exactly what I was looking for on a warm summer day. Unfortunately, as I thought about bananas the usual list played through my head ---bread, muffins, pancakes, cakes, banana fosters, and then it hit me Banana Whoopie Pies! 

Whoopie Pies would allow for individual servings and simply smaller portions. Not to mention, I love how this dessert is so moist and delicate. A Banana Whoopie Pie paired with a cream cheese based filling was now my goal. After searching the kitchen for available ingredients, the following was the end result...and may I add, they were simply delicious!

Ingredients:


2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon (prefer Penzey's Spices)
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg (prefer Penzey's Spices)
1 cup mashed banana (2 medium extra-ripe bananas)
1/2 cup room temperature unsalted butter (leave overnight on the counter if possible)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, tightly packed
1 extra large egg
2 teaspoons good vanilla
16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons milk


Directions:


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. 


2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.


3. Place bananas in a separate small bowl and mash until it reaches a creamy consistency.

Banana Mixture

4. In a separate large bowl using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, combine butter, sugar, and brown sugar until thoroughly mixed.


5. Next add egg and vanilla to the wet mixture. 


6. Then, add banana and dry mixture, starting with the dry mixture in three alternative additions just until combined.

Finished Batter

7. Place batter into a pastry bag or if you do not have a pastry bag you can always cut the tip of a gallon Ziploc bag and use as you would a pastry bag. Slowly pipe approximately 1-1 1/2 inch rounds onto prepared baking sheet. 

8. Place in the preheated oven. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are just golden brown. Batter will spread significantly. Cool on a wire rack until room temperature. 


9. While the Whoopie Pies are baking combine cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and milk to make filling. Place this is a pastry bag or Ziploc bag in order to pipe onto Pie.


10. After cooling, pipe filling onto a Whoopie Pie. Then place another gently on-top to complete. 

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