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1
Preheat oven to 350u00b0F. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper; or lightly grease a whoopie pie pan.
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In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, espresso, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using a standing mixer or bowl and hand mixer, beat together butter and sugar over medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add in egg and vanilla, and beat to combine. Alternately stir in flour and milk over low speed, in 3 additions each.
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I used a whoopie pie pan and a 1-tablespoon sized scoop to make my cakes. I scooped 1 heaping tablespoon of batter into each cavity of the prepared pan. Then, using an offset spatula, I smoothed out the batter as even as possible.
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4
After some research, I believe there are two ideal methods for forming the cakes:
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5
1. Chill the batter in the fridge for at least 30-60 minutes, or until firm. Scoop heaping tablespoon sized portions onto a prepared baking sheet or whoopie pie pan, spacing them 2 inches apart. Wet the tip of your finger or the back of a small spoon with water, and smooth out and slightly flatten the cakes.
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2. Transfer the batter into a piping bag, snip the tip and pipe 2-inch round circles of batter onto the prepared baking sheet or whoopie pie pan, each 2 inches apart. Pipe from the inside out in a flat, spiral pattern. Wet the tip of your finger or the back of a small spoon with water, and smooth out tops.
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Bake in the center rack of the oven for 6-8 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Repeat the process in batches with the remaining batter. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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While cakes cool, prepare the filling. Using a standing mixer or bowl and hand mixer, beat together butter and sugar over medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Stir in marshmallow fluff, salt and peppermint extract.
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Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon portions of filling onto the underside of a cooled cake. For the neatest results (I did not do this), use a piping bag and pipe filling in a circular pattern on the cake, working from the outside inwards. Top with another piece of cake to create a sandwich. Using a small spoon, sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces over the exposed filling, pressing gently to help them adhere. Repeat with remaining cakes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Enjoy.