Nana Bessie's Whoopie Pies

Recipe View 5 mins **1. Prepare & Preheat:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 3 mins **2. Cream Shortening & Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. (3 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins **3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients:** Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins **4. Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins **5. Alternate Additions:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beating until just combined. Do not overmix. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins **6. Drop & Shape Cookies:** Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Gently shape the dough into rounds. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 18 mins **7. Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are set and spring back lightly when touched. Watch carefully to avoid burning. (15-20 minutes)

Recipe View 30 mins **8. Cool Cookies:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. (30 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins **9. Prepare Milk Mixture:** In a saucepan, whisk together the milk and flour until smooth. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 3 mins **10. Cook the milk:** Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 3 minutes. (3 minutes)

Recipe View 30 mins **11. Cool:** Transfer the thickened milk mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate until completely cooled, about 30 minutes. (30 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins **12. Cream Shortening and Butter:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening and softened butter until smooth and fluffy. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins **13. Add Sugar and Vanilla:** Gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla extract until well combined. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins **14. Incorporate Milk Mixture:** Gradually beat in the cooled milk mixture until the filling is smooth and fluffy. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 20 mins **15. Assemble:** Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of filling on the flat side of one cookie and top with another cookie to create a sandwich. (20 minutes)

Recipe View 0 mins **16. Serve:** Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.