Sweet Potato and Maple Whoopie Pies

Remember the Whoopie Pie? Historians say that Amish women would bake these and put them in the children's lunchbags. When children would find the treats in their lunch, they would shout "Whoopie!" But no matter their origin, they are yummy, fun and satisfying. 

 There are a ton of recipes out there right now, and a pan for baking them in. Here's one to start you off with for the holidays.

Sweet Potato and Maple Whoopie Pies

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup soft butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups cooked, pureed sweet potato
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped, toasted pecans

Maple Filling:

• 1 cup soft butter
• 2 cups marshmallow creme
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered (confectioners) sugar
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Instructions:

• Oven Temperature: 350 degrees F
• Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
• Makes: 32 Whoopies, 16 Whoopie Pies

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, or lightly grease.

Whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda and salt in a bowl; set aside.

Cream butter and brown sugar with the mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the sweet potato, egg and vanilla until combined. Stir in the flour mixture and pecans just until combined.

Scoop the batter onto the prepared baking sheets in 2 tablespoons measurements, or, with a #30 cookie scoop. Bake until the edges are set and they spring back when touched.  Remove the whoopies from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely before filling.

For the filling, cream the butter with a mixer on medium speed. Beat in the marshmallow creme, vanilla and maple syrup. Continue beating, adding powdered sugar until fully incorporated and filling is fluffy.

Pipe 2 tablespoons peppermint filling onto one whoopie and place another whoopie on top.