Sunday, November 11, 2012

Mini Ginger Snap Whoopie Pies with Lemon Filling

I couldn't let Veteran's Day pass without a dessert to honor my Dad...and my Mom.  Yes, my mother, who my father said was the perfect military wife that held down the fort (with all us kids) when he was at sea.

Dad entered the United States Navy in 1941 and spent the next almost 19 years serving his country.  He had followed in the foot steps of his father and grandfather who were also sailors.  My mother knew exactly what to expect since her father (Grandpa Frank) was a Marine, who retired in the 1930s, but was asked to serve again during WWII as Pay Master...and he did.

Since ginger snaps and ginger bread are one of my dad's favorites and lemon is one of my mother's, it was easy to create a combination dedicated to both of them.  In addition, I like "mini" desserts and these provide a couple of bites to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling like you cheated your diet--which this time of year is on everyone's mind!

Mini Ginger Snap Whoopie Pies with Lemon Filling
6 T unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 T molasses
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
2 cups King Arthur Flour

 Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line two baking pans with parchment paper.
In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar thoroughly.  Add the molasses and vanilla and beat once more.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

Add the dry ingredients and mix well.  The dough is soft and a little sticky.
You can use a 1-inch scoop to measure out the whoopie pies or a pastry bag with a large round tip.
Pipe 1 1/2-inch rounds onto the parchment paper, spacing about 2-inches apart.
Bake in preheated oven 7 to 10 minutes until lightly brown and set.

 Let cool about 5 minutes then removed to a rack and cool thoroughly. Mix up the Lemon Filling.

Lemon Filling
6 oz. cream cheese
2 T unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tsp. Lemon Juice Powder*
1/3 cups Lemon Bits
1 drop of yellow food coloring (optional)

*As an alternative, use 1 tsp. lemon zest and 2 tsp. lemon juice & increase confectioners' sugar to 2 3/4 cups.

In a stand mixer, using a paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese thoroughly.  Add the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice powder and beat again. Stir in

Choose a large enough tip (to accommodate the chips, if using) to pipe the filling onto the underside of one of the cooled cookies. (You can also use an off-set spatula and spread the filling)
Place a similar sized cookie on top.

Veterans Day

by Cheryl Dyson
On Veterans Day we honor all,
Who answered to a service call.
Soldiers young, and soldiers old,
Fought for freedom, brave and bold.
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride.
We’re proud of all the soldiers who,
Kept thinking of red, white and blue.
They fought for us and all our rights,
They fought through many days and nights.
And though we may not know each name,
We thank ALL veterans just the same.

These whoopie pies, for me, were the perfect remembrance of the people in my life that served. Enjoy! 

27 comments:

  1. What a great treat to honor both your mom and dads' service. :) My dad was in the Navy during Vietnam, and so was my husbands step-dad. Love gingerbread and lemon!

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    1. You must be very proud of your dad too--we're very lucky to be Navy brats, XOXO

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  2. Well my gosh, Susan. That would be a "yummy" way to remember veterans today. Sounds like a unique combination. Many thanks to all veterans today, including your Dad!

    Susan, thanks for your faithful to my blog! Love your visits.Now could you please pass those ginger/lemon whoopie pies? Susan

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    1. Oh, Susan, I wish we lived close enough so I could bring them over and we'd have a wonderful visit:-D

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  3. You are amazing! Just when I think you have made everything possible, you come up with something like this. Thank you for sharing. Thank your family for their service.

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    1. Thanks dear friend--wish you were near and we could have a couple of whoopie pies and wine, XOXO

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  4. What a great sweet treat to honor your parents! They turned out beautifully!

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    1. I was so lucky to have such dedicated parents to family, friends and country, XOXO

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  5. I love the thought of Whoopie Pies and Veterans! Just makes me smile! My Dad was career Marine so I too have such a feeling for the armed services! Hugs, Linda

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    1. I see the connection in the Traveling Apron more and more--XOXO

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  6. A beautiful (and tasty) way to honour those who serve,whether uniformed or not.
    Jane xx

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    1. Let me know if you can veganize these...I'd love to know how so I could make them for our daughter:-D

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  7. Ginger snaps one of my favorite cookies after oatmeal but to add lemon cream to them...........FABULOUS! I'm sure I could eat a dozen of them.
    Happy Birthday Susan! enjoy this day and all to come.
    love from your friend sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  8. OH MAN OH MAN - my favorite - GINGER SNAPS and Mom's favorite - LEMON. YUMMM.....

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  9. These little whoopie pies look so delicious! Ginger and lemon go together so well----gingerbread with lemon curd is one of my favorites.
    I am so proud to have grown up in a military family and I am so very thankful to all veterans who put their life on the line so I may enjoy the freedoms in this great country. Our son, Rick, followed in his grandfather's footsteps and served in the US Navy, retiring a few years ago. And our son-in-law, Jeff, was a helicopter pilot in the Army during Desert Storm. Thanks for posting the Veteran's Day poem by Cheryl Dyson. Love, Barb

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    1. Amazing, dedicated men in our family, which I glad you added Rick and Jeff; we also had three brothers who served and like dad, our grandfathers, and great-grandfather make us proud. Thanks, Sis, XOXO

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  10. I have whoopie pies on my mind, too, these days...Gingerbread, too. I bet these are yummy and bring back great memories. You've done your folks proud! Lv, me

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    1. Gingerbread would be wonderful too and I can just imagine you'll add a Limocello filling! Love you, me

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  11. Happy Birthday Susan! I hope your day is filled with joy. My Dad would have loved these whoopie pies--He loved gingersnaps. He was a US Marine. I am so proud of all our men and women who have answered the call to service! xoxo ♥
    Martha Ellen

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    1. Thank you. My daughter asked if I was baking my own birthday cake! Right now, I'm working on my new line that has to be ready in January, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to bake or not. My grandfather and 3 brothers were Marines and like you, I'm proud too. XOXO

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  12. Say lemon and I'm there. Oh gosh, Susan, this one is mouth watering. Great tribute to your parents, and I'm certainly thankful for all who have served and defended our freedom.
    I see a birthday wish in the comment above, so happy birthday to you!!!!
    XOXO's,
    Marcia

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    1. Hi Marcia...stop counting birthdays since I ran out of fingers and toes:-D Lemon is one of my favorites too and wish I could have a piece of my mom's lemon meringue pie right now; that would be my birthday wish! XOXO

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  13. What wonderful memories of your Mom and Dad. I scanned some photos of my Dad today and it sure made me miss him. Love this fun recipe! Hugs!

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  14. Hi Susan,

    I love your thought of making these Whoopie Pies to remember the veterans. With these heros, we can never have today.

    Zoe

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