Pink Velvet Fruity Pebble Whoopie Pies

** Recipe from Cookies & Cups **

Whoopie Pies:
* 2 c. all purpose flour
* 2 Tbl. cocoa powder
* 1/4 tsp. baking powder
* 1/2 c. room temp butter
* 1 c. light brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 2 tsp. vanilla
* 1/2 c. buttermilk
* food coloring (Chefmaster - "Deep Pink" used)

Fruity Pebble Buttercream:
* 1 c. finely crushed Fruity Pebbles (about 2 1/2 cups un-crushed)
* 1/2 c. butter, room temperature
* 1/2 c. vegetable shortening
* 2 c. powdered sugar
* 2 Tbl. milk

Heat oven to 375.  Line you baking sheets with parchment paper.  Cream butter and sugar together.  Add egg and vanilla, mix until combined.  Mix you dry ingredients together.  On low speed add 1/3 of your dry mix, then 1/3 of your buttermilk…continue adding in this order until all your dry ingredients and milk are mixed in and smooth.  Now add food coloring. It might not take much, but add until the color you like is reached.  Mix on low to combine the food coloring, scraping the sides until color is even.  Transfer batter into a piping bag or snipped off ziplock.  (Cookies can be piped into any shape desired!)  Bake for approx. 6 min, until they are set.  Let cool on baking sheet for 2 min, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

For Buttercream:  Cream your butter and shortening together until smooth.  On low speed, slowly add in your powdered sugar, when incorporated, add your milk and turn speed up to medium and beat until smooth and fluffy.  Turn back to low speed and add in your crushed Fruity Pebbles cereal and mix until incorporated.  Top the bottom of 1 cookie with buttercream, then add another cookie on top - making a "sandwich"!