••••BANANA WHOOPIE PIES••••

(Source: marthastewart.com & photo also)

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup mashed banana (from 1 large ripe banana) 
• 1/2 cup sour cream 
• 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar 
• 1 large egg 
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened 
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting 

DIRECTIONS 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Combine banana and sour cream in another bowl. 

2. Beat butter and granulated and brown sugars with a mixer on medium-high speed, until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, beating until incorporated. Add banana mixture in 2 additions, alternating with flour mixture. 

3. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch plain tip. Pipe batter into 1 1/4-inch rounds on baking sheets, spacing rounds 1 1/2 inches apart. 

4. Bake until edges are golden, about 12 minutes. Slide parchment, with cookies, onto wire racks. Let cool. (Unfilled cookies can be stored for up to 1 day.) 

5. Beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. 

6. Pipe or spoon 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture onto the flat sides of half the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve immediately.