Happy Valentine's Day GFCF Chocolate Chocolate Chip Coconut Whoopie Pies with Coconut Vanilla "Buttercream" Frosting

What is Valentine's Day without chocolate? ..well...NOT Valentine's Day in my book! The other day I got my recent issue of Family Fun magazine and in it were tons of Valentine's Day crafts and recipes, one of which was the Chocolate Whoopie Pies, which of course since my kids both can agree on chocolate cake these just had to be made! So I went the semi-lazy route and decided to spiff up a boxed mix Gluten Free chocolate cake mix, that paired with my homemade frosting, hints of coconut thoughout, and a little GFCF conversion: Voila..chocolatey naughtiness ;) mmmmm..enjoy..come on...you KNOW you want to..indulge a little..;-D

GFCF Chocolate Chocolate Chip Coconut Whoopie Pies

1 Box Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix (I use GF Betty Crocker mix)

1/2 cup Coconut Flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)

1/4 cup Flax Meal (Bob's too)

1 tsp Baking Soda

Combine these dry ingredients in a medium bowl with a wire whisk and set aside.

1 cup applesauce

1/4 cup agave nectar

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs or egg replacer

Blend these ingredients together in a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium until smooth and creamy.

2/3 cup coconut milk

Then slowly add in flour mixture and alternate in milk.

1/4 cup finely shredded coconut

1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)

Fold these into batter and scoop out portions with an ice cream scooper onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes..check with a toothpick for doneness.

Even though this part of the recipe is last I recommend making the frosting first and putting it in the fridge to stand up a bit for easy spreading ;)

GFCF Coconut Vanilla "Buttercream" Frosting

3 cups Powdered Sugar

1/3 cup Earth Balance Spread

1/4 cup Spectrum Vegetable Shortening

2 tsp vanilla

4 or 5 Tb. Coconut Milk

2 Tb. Finely Shredded Coconut

In a medium mixing bowl blend together shortening,"butter" spread, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Alternately add sugar and milk..adding the milk to acheive the desired consistency. Add shredded coconut. Put in fridge to harden slightly for easy spreading and stickability (is that a word? LOL)

Fall under the spell of the chocolate for a moment of bliss

Blessings,

~Bird