Red Velvet Moon Pies

Now I realize that up north, somewhere in Maine, they claim whoopie pies were invented. But in the south we make them too, we just call them moon pies, and we usually dip them in chocolate when we are done. These are classic pairing of two southern traditions, moon pies and red velvet cake.

Ingredients for the Moon Pies:
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
½teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup butter melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup buttermilk
2 Tablespoons liquid red food coloring

Ingredients for the cream cheese frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup of soft butter
3 cups powdered sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method:
1. Crank your oven to 375 and let it get hot.
2. In your food processor whip together all of the ingredients.
3. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Using an ice cream scoop place small scoops of the dough on the sheet about 3 inches apart, they will rise.
5. Bake for 10 minutes.
6. Let cool completely before filling, or you will have a messy, but delicious sloppy sandwich.
7. In your standing mixer whip together the frosting ingredients.
8. Turn your moon pie side with the bottom facing you, fill with a tablespoon or so of filling, sandwich another half of the moon pie.
9. Enjoy!

As always, much love, many blessings, and happy baking.

Sweet Strawberry Scones

A good scone can be so difficult to find. Mainly because the recipe is usually cumbersome to make, or the texture is incredibly dry. These are spectacular. They are a breeze to throw together you just whip everything up in a food processor and they are heavenly little clouds of berry goodness. Please try these for breakfast or tea, but I warn you they puff and will be much larger than expected, so cut a little on the small side.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg yolk
1 cup fresh strawberries cut up into small cubes

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Whip together everything in a food processor except for the buttermilk, egg yolk, and strawberries.
3. through the tube pour in the egg yolk and buttermilk.
4. Pulse until the dough comes together.
5. Flour your board and shape dough folding in the strawberries until they distributed.
6. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper cut the dough into triangles or squares.
7. Place on parchment lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
8. Bake for 15 minutes.
9. Serve with butter and strawberry jam.

As always, much love, many blessings and happy baking.