Oranges and Ice Cream

Notice how certain flavors can evoke strong memories? I grew up in Southern California, surrounded by Citrus… oranges, lemons, limes and funny little kumquats. The taste of citrus takes me back there.

The memories are strong….  the scent of orange blossoms in the air…. playing hide and seek between the trees…. and always, the musical sound that told us the ice cream man was nearby. (My friend Sandra, had a father with the most PIERCING whistle. He could stop that Ice Cream Man at 100 yards. What an excellent talent to have!!)

And we could choose our favorites… I almost always picked Orange Creamsicles!  I loved… still love … Orange Creamsicles. Those popsicles with orange surrounding vanilla ice cream. Yum

Orange Creamsicle Whoopie Pies

Summer was the best.. I loved summer… summer was warm… summer was eating those Orange Creamsicles … and my bare feet getting sticky from orange drips..
I miss that…

You know what I mean, that .. not a care in the world feeling… the feeling that the days are endless and filled with possibility..
a time of daydreams…

Playing kick the can in the road.. flashlight tag after dark… and summertime treats

I want to go back there.

Orange Creamsicle Whoopie Pies have that flavor, and to me, they bring back the memories of not having a care in the world.

 Orange Creamsicle Whoopie Pies Recipe

Orange Cake with Vanilla Filling

Serves: makes 18 pies

• Total Time: 1 1/2 hours

You can vary the level or orange in this recipe… totally up to you. I like a strong orange flavor, but these are delicious even without the orange extract.
Then there is the food coloring… Creamsicles are a wicked shade of orange, but I just can’t bring myself to use that much food color.

Ingredients

• COOKIES
• 1/3 cup Canola or Vegetable Oil
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• Zest of 2 Oranges
• 2 tsp. Orange Extract
• 1 Egg
• 3 cups unbleached Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 3/4 cup Buttermilk
• Juice of 2 Oranges
• **optional**
• 8 drops Yellow Food Color
• 3 drops Red Food Color
• FILLING
• 8 oz. Cream Cheese
• 5 Tbl. Butter
• 3 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions

Preheat oven o 350 degrees F
Cover 3 baking sheets with parchment paper

BAKING THE COOKIES
Put the juice of the 2 oranges in a saucepan, and let cook over medium heat until reduced by about half.

While this is happening, bake the cookies.

In a mixing bowl, combine the oil, sugar and orange zest, blend for 4 or 5 minutes, then add the egg and the Orange Extract (if you want to use it)
Mix until completely combined.

In a measuring cup, combine the flour, baking soda and baking powder.

Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk… begin and end with flour.
Mix until completely combined.
Add the Food Coloring at this point, if you wish to use it.

Using a small cookie scoop (like a mini ice cream scoop) or a spoon (the scoop is better though…) scoop the dough out onto the parchment sheets… you can generally get a dozen scoops per sheet.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 9 minutes…. take out, then let cool on baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes…
Using a pastry brush, paint some of the reduced orange juice on the bottom of each cookie.

When all cookies are baked, painted and cooled, you can fill them.

FILLING
Put the Cream Cheese and Butter in a mixing bowl (yes, you can use reduced fat or non fat cream cheese… no, you can’t use margarine) and beat until light and completely combined.
Add the powdered sugar slowly…unless you want to create a snow flurry in your kitchen… when smooth, add the Vanilla Extract.

ASSEMBLING THE WHOOPIE PIES
Put one or 2 Tablespoons of the filling between 2 Cookies, and moosh them together a bit.
You can use a pastry bag and a round tip, this will be neat and efficient.
Or you can use a knife and spatula.
Either way….

Then eat.

Step by Step- Orange Creamsicle Whoopie Pies

Put the Dough on Parchment Paper

Make Sure You Leave Space

Smooth the tops of the dough blobs if they look pointed. Just wet your finger a bit and smooth the tops.

 

 

 

                All Baked Up

Waiting for Filling

 

 

 

 

 

Then It’s Time for the FillingHow much filling goes into YOUR Orange Creamsicle Whoopie Pie?

 

Bake Sale Favorite

Make Orange Creamsicle Whoopie Pies for your next Bake Sale
Wrap them by setting the pies on a piece of plastic wrap.. pull the corners up.. and tie with a ribbon.