Go Bananas Whoopie Pies

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 15 min./batch + cooling Yield: 24 Servings Ingredients 1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda FILLING: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 cup creamy peanut butter 3 tablespoons butter, softened 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Additional confectioners' sugar Directions In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine banana and buttermilk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with banana mixture. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. For filling, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on the bottoms of half of the cookies, about 1 tablespoon on each; top with remaining cookies. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 dozen. Nutritional Facts 1 whoopie pie equals 242 calories, 14 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 33 mg cholesterol, 208 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein. Tip Banana Basics Look for plump bananas that are evenly yellow-colored. Green bananas are under-ripe, while a flecking of brown flecks indicates ripeness. If bananas are too green, place in a paper bag until ripe. Adding an apple to the bag will speed the process. Store ripe bananas at room temperature. To prevent bruises, a banana hook or hanger is a great inexpensive investment. For longer storage, you can place ripe bananas in a tightly sealed plastic bag and refrigerate. The peel will become brown but the flesh will remain unchanged. One pound of bananas equals about 3 medium or 1-1/3 cups mashed.