Key Lime Pie Whoopie Pies

These are a light and tasty treat any time of year.  I made these for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration this year to bring a little taste of spring while enjoying a slightly “green” dessert.

Ingredients:

Cookies-

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup graham cracker crumbs

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup nonfat milk

Zest of 1 lime

Optional- a few drops of green food coloring

Filling-

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature

8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese

1 cup marshmallow crème

1 tablespoon milk

Zest and juice of 6 key limes

Directions:

Cookies-

1. Sift the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a larger bowl.
2. Beat the granulated sugar and butter together on medium high speed until light and fluffy about 5 minutes.
3. Add the egg and beat until incorporated.
4. Add the vanilla.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients alternating that with milk.
6. Add the lime zest and food coloring if using.
7. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover, and chill for at least an hour.
8. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
9. Use a medium cookie scooper to form balls and place them at least 3 inches apart on the baking sheet.
10. Bake until the cookies puff up and the tops are no longer glossy about 7 minutes. 
11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.

Filling-

1. Beat the confectioners’ sugar, butter, and cream cheese in a stand mixer on medium until fluffy.
2. Add the marshmallow crème, milk, lime zest, and lime juice and beat until light and airy about 5 minutes.
3. Flip over half of the cookies to make a flat surface.
4. Use an icing tool or a cookie scooper to place a heaping tablespoon of filling on the base of half of the cookies.
5. Use the remaining cookies to place on top to make whoopie pies.
6. Store in an air-tight container.
7. Enjoy!