Whoopie!! It's a Pie--Or is it??

Lord Honey, is it a cookie? a pie? a cake? a sandwich? an oversized Oreo? Who knows-- but no matter what y'all call it--a Whoopie Pie is sure a fun treat to make and eat! It may be the official state treat of Maine--but add a li'l bourbon and a li'l bacon--and my "Country Bling Whoopie Pies" will have y'all singin' Dixieland Delight.

Country Bling Whoopie Pies

Jason Smith, FNS southerncountrybling.com

Yield: 12

Ingredients:

1 lb. bacon cubed and fried

Batter

2-cups all-purpose flour

1-tsp baking soda

¼-tsp salt

½-cup cocoa powder, unsweet

1-cup butter, room temp

1-cup white sugar

1-egg

2-tsp vanilla

½-cup hot water, 110°

Filling

½-cup butter, room temp

8 ounces cream cheese, room temp

4 ½-cups powder sugar

1-tsp vanillaex

¼-tsp salt

2-3 TBSP bourbon (optional--can use milk)

Directions:

--fry 1 lb. of cubed bacon and set aside

Batter:

· Preheat oven to 375°, and line a baking sheet with parchment or silpat.

· In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, soda and salt; whisk to combine.

· Cream butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl with stand mixer or hand mixer until light and fluffy ( if using a stand mixer, use paddle attachment )

· Add egg and vanilla to the creamed mixture .

· Pour the hot water into egg/butter mixture and mix just until combined.

--add half the flour mixture and stir to combine.

--add rest of the flour and mix just until combined.

· Using a 1 ounce cookie scoop, make 6 dough circles on baking sheet, leaving 3 inches between each.

· Bake in preheated oven for 8-12 mins--remove when you touch the top and it springs back---do not over bake.

· Remove from oven and let cool for 2 mins on pan, remove to a rack and let completely cool before filling.

Filling:

· Place the butter and cream cheese in mixing bowl and whip until smooth and creamy, this will take about 4-5 mins.

· Add vanilla and salt and combine.

· Pour half the powdered sugar in cream cheese mixture; add 1 TBSP bourbon, turn mixer on low until sugar is combined, then turn to medium and whip for 2 mins,

--add the rest of the sugar and bourbon and combine slowly and then whip on high till fluffy.

· Place filling in a zip-top bag and pipe or use a spoon to evenly spread on one half of the whoopie shells.

· Place the tops on and mash down slightly.

--Roll edges of the whoopie pie in the bacon crumbles.

--store in an airtight container.

TIP: You can use sprinkles or your favorite chopped candy or nuts in place of the bacon.

ENJOY!!!