Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

2 c. all-purpose flour
3 T. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg, room temp
1 c. buttermilk, room temp
2 tsp vanilla
gel red food coloring

8 oz cream cheese
6 T. butter, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

 Preheat oven to 350 F.   Line 2 baking lg  sheets with parchment paper.
 Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
In medium mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar  with electric mixer; beat until fluffy.  Add egg and mix to combine.  Add buttermilk, vanilla and about 1 tsp red gel food coloring and mix til combined. Mixture might look curdled; that is okay.
Add dry ingredients and beat til smooth.

Spoon about 1 1/2 T of batter ( I use a small ice cream scoop) onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.   Bake for 10 -12 minutes until set.  Remove from baking sheet to cool.

In lg mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and softened butter.  Add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.  Beat until on medium-high speed until light and creamy.
 Spread about 2 T of the cream cheese filling on the flat side of one cookie, and sandwich with a 2nd cookie.   Makes about 12 whoopie pies.

Cover leftovers and keep in refrigerator.