Whoopie pies. They sound ridiculous. And they’re so good. It’s basically two light sponge halves with a crispy exterior sandwiched together with creamy goodness. Delicious right? These little guys taste like banana cake and have less added sugar and oil than your typical treat so although they are a treat they’re a slightly lighter one. But they don’t taste like it and that’s the trick.

The use of banana means that both the sugar and added fat can be decreased as it provides sweetness, texture and moisture. It’s basically a super fruit – in a special powers kind of way. These whoopie pies make for a fun dessert or afternoon treat with a cup of tea. You could even make smaller ones and decrease the cooking time, and you’d have a bite sized version – even cuter.

Makes 14-16 whoopie pies (2 halves per ‘pie’)

Ingredients

2 eggs

1/3 cup coconut sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 ripe bananas, mashed

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1.5 cups spelt flour (or plain)

1/3 cup coconut flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup milk

Filling

1/2 cup cream cheese

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp maple syrup

Directions

Preheat oven to 180 C. Line 2 large baking trays with parchment paper.

In a stand mixer beat eggs, sugar and vanilla extract to pale and creamy. Meanwhile sift remaining dry ingredients into a bowl.

Add melted coconut oil and mashed banana to the egg mixture and beat well to combine. Add half the flour mixture to the batter and fold in. Then fold in 1/2 the milk. Repeat with remaining flour and milk and fold until just combined. Mixture should be firm enough that you can drop spoonfuls and they will hold their shape but not too sticky.

Drop level tablespoons of the mixture onto the baking tray leaving at least 5 cm between to allow for spreading during baking. You want an even number of ‘cookies’. Bake 1 tray at a time. (This also allows you play around with the consistence of your mixture, and place the tray in the centre of the oven, add more milk if you think the batter is too sticky!).

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until puffed and golden. Remove from the oven and cool on wire racks. Repeat with the other tray.

While they are cooling beat together the cream cheese (or coconut cream), vanilla extract and maple syrup. Once the whoopie pie halves have cooled selecting similar sized pairs and spread the cream cheese mixture on one half of each pair, sandwiching the other half on top. You can dust with icing sugar if you wish, and serve.

HH. x

If not eating immediately then keep the whoopie pies un-iced as they will keep better. Ice as serving.