Decadent Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C) and line 2 baking trays with parchment paper. Place the trays in the oven to warm right before making the cookies (this step will help the cookies bake with smooth curved tops).
2. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on medium-low speed to cut it in until the butter pieces are barely visible. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, sour cream and vanilla. Add this all at once to the flour mixture and mix on low speed at first and then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for about 2 minutes, until the batter is fluffy and holds its structure. Use an ice cream scoop (#20, 1 5/8 oz) to scoop out 16 to 20 portions onto the now-hot, prepared baking trays, leaving 3 inches (75 mm) between them. Bake the “pies” for about 15 minutes, until the top of the “pie” springs back when gently pressed. Cool the “pies” on the baking trays before filling.
3. For the filling, beat the butter to lighten it and then beat in the peanut butter. Add 1 cup (120 g) of the icing sugar and beat in, stir in the vanilla and then beat in the remaining 1 cup (120 g) of icing sugar until fluffy. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe the filling on the bottom of one of the “pies” and top with a second “pie”, pressing gently. The pies are tastiest served at room temperature.