Whoopies Pies and Stars: Responses to a Bet

Keeping in the time honored tradition of mayoral betting on sporting events with food (here is an article detailing the wager from the Stanley Cup Finals this year) I mentioned previously that my friend BH and I wagered whoopie pies on this years hockey championship. BH, being from Chicago, agreed that if the Flyers were victorious she would bake me carrot cake pies in Flyers colors (orange and white). If the Blackhawks reached hockey's pinnacle I would bake her red velvet pies in Blackhawks colors (red and white). The Blackhawks took the series, 4-2, and I had some whoopies to make.

Blackhawks Whoopie Pies (adapted from Food Network)
(printable version)

For the cake:
-1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped
-1 ounce Hershey's milk chocolate, chopped
-12 tablespoons unsalted butter
-1/2 c sour cream
-2 large eggs
-1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
-1/2 tsp. vanilla
-1 Tbls. red food coloring
-2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
-1 cup sugar
-1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-2 tsp baking powder
-1/4 tsp baking soda
-1/2 tsp salt

For the Filling:
-8 ounces neufchatel cheese, at room temperature
-3 Tbls unsalted butter, at room temperature
-2 1/3 cups powdered sugar
-1 tsp vanilla extract

1. To make the cookies. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the bittersweet and milk chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on 50 percent power for two minutes. Whisk chocolate until it is smooth.

3. Melt the butter in a microwave and whisk together with, sour cream, eggs, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring. Set aside. Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.

4. Divide the flour mixture into four equal batches. Add, one batch at a time, to the butter mixture. Whisk completely between each batch. Once the flour and butter mixtures are completely combined, stir in the melted chocolate.

5. Using a tablespoon, scoop heaping spoonfuls of batter and place them on the parchment covered baking sheets. Form the batter into circles and smooth the tops with a moist finger. Bake 10-12 minutes. You want the cookies to spring back when lightly pressed. Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

6. Using a mixer, make the filling. Beat the neufchatel cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract. Using a spoon, scoop out heaping amounts of filling and place on a cookie. Spread the filling over the cookie, until it is completely covered. Place another cookie on top to sandwich the filling in between; repeat with the remaining cookies and filling. Chill whoopie pies for 30 minutes before serving.

Hockey has a unique way of handing out game awards. A third party chooses the three best players of a game, ranks them, and awards what is called three stars (1st star was the most important player, 2nd was 2nd most important and 3rd the third most important). Recently I've had my own three stars going on. The band, Stars, who remind me a lot of Metric. Stars has a lot going on right now. They have a new album coming out this Tuesday (June 22nd), sold out shows happening in California, a date at this year's Lollapalooza and a European tour in September. The album, entitled The Five Ghosts, can currently be streamed at NPR.

1st Star-We Don't Want Your Body

2nd Star-Wasted Daylight (Courtesy of Stereogum)

3rd Star-Fixed