These German Chocolate Whoopie Pies are filled with a caramel pecan coconut filling and a milk chocolate ganache.
“If you walked out of bed today and had a job to go to, and a home to come back to, and someone waiting there who cares about you? Folks, the game’s over, and you’ve won.”–Larry Miller
It’s really that simple.
People don’t think it is.
They get distracted by what they think they need.
More like what society tells you that you need.
I stick out like a sore thumb in my area.
For one thing I don’t wear the uniform as the men who know our area call it.
Let me start by saying it’s not an ugly outfit…it’s just that every woman around here wears it or some version of it every freaking day.
I walked into the grocery store one time and it was like I was fresh out of the Stepford Wives movie.
For those wondering the uniform in question is LuLulemon Black Yoga Pants, a long t-shirt, either a North Face or Patagonia Puffer Black Vest Jacket, Uggs (unless coming from gym then running shoes are acceptable) and usually a Nike baseball hat of some sort (though usually also black).
Always sporty to show people that at any moment could be working out or driving their SUV’s into the mountains for an adventure.
I on the other hand am usually in jeans and a hoodie sweatshirt…even in Summer. 😛
My fiance went to buy me a North Face Puffer Vest as a joke and came home almost choking on the price tag of the one that is on sale.
Don’t get me wrong, I am all for expensive taste (just look at my Pinterest boards) but most of these women own yoga pants after yoga pants and Puffer Vest after Puffer Vest.
How many of these things do you need?
I know someone who owns so much North Face wear she could open her own shop.
She hikes like three times a year…and not in extreme weather…thank God she owns that gear/wear.
But that’s what people wear around here and so the women literally buy into it.
I wish more people could be comfortable wearing what they truly wanted but in a society of don’t wear that wear this I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
There is nothing uniform about these German Chocolate Whoopie Pies.
I saw a version of them on Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.
Hers used cake mix but I was making these as a special treat for someone and decided to be crazy and make the full deal.
To see Kristan’s version (the much more simple…aka what I should have done 🙂 method) go here.
I on the other hand used the Bon Appetit recipe that was multi step.
Though really if you broke it down it wasn’t really hard just time consuming.
P.S. It’s a great day to buy my cookbook Holy Sweet!
German Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Ingredients
- For the Whoopie Pie:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 5 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/8 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening or unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 TBSP vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
- For the Ganache:
- 3 TBSP heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- For the Whoopie Pies:
Preheat to 375°F.
Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda into medium bowl.
Using stand mixer with the paddle attachment or an electric mixer, beat shortening, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla until well blended, about 2 minutes.
Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with milk in 2 additions, beating until blended after each addition.
Drop dough by very rounded tablespoonfuls (I used a mini cookie scoop) onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.
Bake 1 sheet at a time until cookies are slightly puffed and spread but are still soft, 8 to 10 minutes.
Cool on sheets 10 minutes.
Carefully transfer cookies to racks and cool completely.
Repeat with remaining dough.
Whoopie pies can be made 1 day ahead.
Store airtight in single layer at room temperature.
For the Filing:
Whisk evaporated milk, egg yolks, and vanilla in heavy large saucepan to blend.
Whisk in sugar and pinch of salt.
Add butter.
Stir constantly over medium heat until mixture thickens and turns golden and instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 175°F to 178°F, 8 to 10 minutes (do not boil).
Remove saucepan from heat, stir in coconut and pecans.
Transfer German chocolate filling to bowl and cool completely, stirring occasionally.
Cover and chill until filling is slightly firmer, about 1 hour.
Can be made 1 days ahead.
Keep chilled.
For the Ganache:
Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan.
Remove from heat.
Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth.
Cool ganache until lukewarm but still spreadable, about 15 minutes.
To assemble the pies:
Spread about 1 TBSP filling on bottom (flat side) of half of whoopie pie.
Place whoopie pies, filling side up, on prepared baking sheet.
Spoon 1 tsp milk chocolate ganache onto bottom (flat side) of remaining half of cookies.
Place 1 ganache-topped whoopie pie, ganache side down, atop each filled whoopie pie, pressing slightly to adhere.
Can be made 1 day ahead.
Cover and refrigerate in airtight container.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I saw these on her blog too and loved them. But I also love your post today. I understand wanting to look nice, but you shouldn’t lose yourself in the process.
Erika says
Oh I wish I had the luxury of that being my daily outfit! Bye bye halfway looking professional clothes – hello, yoga pants!!!
(Cute backdrop for these whoopie pies!)
Becca- Cookie Jar Treats says
Uh I’d rather go the whole jeans and a hoodie route. Yoga pants are not to be worn outside of the gym/yoga class and puffer vests are just stupid. Sure they look cute (sometimes) but they’re missing the sleeves! If I’m going to wear a jacket then it dern well better have sleeved attached!
P.S. these look yummy!
Darlene says
I will make these as soon as I come home from my holiday. I make a pretty good whoopie pie (with my Amish roots and all) but this looks a little better.
Thanks!
Kristin says
That is so true! Well, except at Walmart where I can wear my PJs. 😉 Actually, here on the south end it isn’t quite so bad. But still, lots of yoga pants and puffy vests.
Rodzilla says
but I really do want to wear yoga pants and uggs…they’re comfy 😀
KCatGU says
I joke with my best friend that my life’s ambition is to land a job where I can wear yoga pants to work everyday. But alas this office thing has me putting on real clothes like skirts and heals 5 days a week.
Alice says
I’m with KCat; I would love to live in that uniform – minus the Uggs and puffy vests – but my office doesn’t appreciate the finer qualities of gym wear versus business casual.
Nicole says
I tried on a puffer vest and I just looked huge. Not the look for me. And yoga pants fall into the “tights are not pants” category.
German Chocolate Cake is my favorite; I must make these!
jeri says
Oh Peabody, not to ignore your post, but you must check out this tribute video to Julia Child. As a baker, you must have watched an episode or two, and this is absolutely brilliant. I’m trying to get the word out before they pull it from YouTube. Enjoy, and please share. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ZrUI7RNfI&feature=youtu.be
Tash says
Ah-ha, I know what you mean about a ‘uniform’, I am a mature student at a (British) university known for being a bit on the… preppy side. These girls, all of 18 years old, must have a certain handbag, scarf, designer jeans and sunglasses to the point that they are all just identikit-copies of each other. One day I hope that they learn that being unique is something to aspire to, not to cover up!
/Rant
On the upside, those whoopie pies look delish. I haven’t ever made them before (and it’s hard to read such delicious things, when I am an Alternate Day Faster who is on a fast day :-/!) but as soon as I am on a feast day, you betcha I will give these a go.
Alice says
Thanks so much for the awesome idea! I made these to take to my 15 year old son’s paintball party and the kids loved them.
sondra says
Peabody,
I’ve missed a few posts, but am all caught up now. So a big congratulations to you and MDP! I look forward to more recipes and reading about your journey towards marriage.
joey says
Omg! These look incredible!
The quote up top is so true…a wake up call that I need every so often…thanks for sharing it! As for uniform…I know what you mean 🙂 I am all for wearing whatever you want, whether that be jeans or sweats, or heels to the grocery. Revel in yourself!
Jessica says
These. look. scrumptious! I literally stared at the picture for five minutes just imagining how delicious they’d taste.