Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
MAKES: 24 servings

Ingredients

• 1 package red velvet cake mix (regular size)
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

FILLING:

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup (6 ounces) miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil and extract; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium 2 minutes.
2. Cut a 1/2-in. hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag. Transfer dough to bag. Pipe 1-1/2x1-in. hearts onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets, spacing hearts 1 in. apart.
3. Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
4. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread filling on bottoms of half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Nutritional Facts
1 whoopie pie equals 267 calories, 16 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 44 mg cholesterol, 194 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.