Photo by Matthew Strauss
Love is in the air as wedding proposals and wedding planning is in the making, and so is the stress of making it all happen. The most important thing is to remember this is about celebrating a new life together, and there is no right or wrong way to showcase what that means to you.
Eleven years ago I married my best friend, and today I feel so blessed we chose each other. My husband has shown me many faces and each one I cherish and appreciate. He always lets me see what he is feeling and shares it with me.
It’s the moments that you share and create with each other that really matter, so here’s to celebrating love and moments that really count.
Enjoy this delicious and lovely treat that can be made for a shower, wedding or just because you deserve it!
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Ingredients:
¾ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1½ teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
Filling:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
Toppings:
White baking chips, melted
Finely chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, sour cream, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in cooled chocolate.
Drop dough by tablespoon 2 inches apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on bottom of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies.
Drizzle with melted baking chips; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate until serving.
Lucia Schnitzer and her husband, Ken, own Luci’s Healthy Marketplace in Phoenix. The local coffee shop and marketplace opened in 2009 in Lucia’s honor after her successful battle with breast cancer. She successfully manages her career, her growing family (four children), her personal well-being and the countless demands of the day.
