Vegan Whole Wheat Oatmeal Molasses Whoopie Pies

It's been a while. I'm aware. 

I have been working beaucoup at jobs that actually pay the rent {unlike fun and delicious cookies}. On the plus side, cherry trees are starting to bloom and Spring is right around the corner. 

These cookies are pretty tasty, and, if you care, I think qualify for the "healthy" column in the dessert hierarchy.  Maybe that means those of you who celebrate Lent and gave up desserts can call these a healthy snack? Well, until you add the frosting. And we all know frosting makes everything better. 

The molasses makes these reminiscent of of spice cookies and gingerbread, but the oatmeal and filling make them enough different to be worth a bite. 

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Molasses Whoopie Pies

Cookie Ingredients:
1/4 C vegan butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C applesauce
1/4 C molasses
1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 C oats

Filling Ingredients:
2 Tbsp vegan butter
2 Tbsp vegetable shortening
1 C sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla

To make the cookies:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F

Cream the butter and sugar. Add the applesauce and the molasses and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. At this point stir in any chopped nuts you'd like to add {1/4-1/2 C}. Drop tablespoons of dough onto a greased/parchment lined baking sheet and bake 8-9 minutes.

To make the filling:
Beat the butter and shortening together until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla at low speed. Once combined, turn the mixer to high and beat for another 1-2 minutes.

To assemble the cookies:
Put the filling in a pastry bag or a ziplock bag. Cut off the tip {or the corner of the ziplock} and pipe dollops of frosting onto one cookie. Use a similarly sized cookie to smoosh the frosting and make the sandwich.

Notes:
If you use regular butter, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt at the same time as the other dry ingredients.

These taste much better the second day. I don't know why.