Apple Bacon Whoopie Pie Recipe

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

Makes 12

BACON BRITTLE
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons chopped, cooked bacon

BACON CAKE
1 box white cake mix, mixed according to package directions
1/4 cup chopped, cooked bacon

MAPLE CREAM CHEESE ICING
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon maple syrup

FILLING
1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling

FOR BACON BRITTLE:

1. Place a silicone baking mat on a baking pan.
2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar. Continue cooking over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until sugar and butter mixture is golden brown.
3. Remove from heat and stir in bacon.
4. Carefully pour on top of silicone baking mat and spread evenly on mat. Cool for 45 minutes, until completely cool. Break into 12 small pieces. Set aside.

FOR BACON CAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 half sheet pans with whoopee pie mats.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions.  Once all ingredients are combined, gently stir in bacon.
3. Fill whoopee pie mats with cake batter.
4. Bake 15-20 minutes, until cake springs back when lightly touched.
5. Cool completely.

FOR MAPLE CREAM CHEESE ICING:

1. Place egg whites in the bowl an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Whip on medium speed until egg whites form soft peaks. Set aside.
2. Place sugar in a small saucepan. Slowly add water. Stir gently until mixed. Cook over medium-heat, without stirring, for 4-5 minutes, until mixture reaches 242.6°F. Remove from heat.
3. Turn mixer back on to medium speed and whip egg whites until soft peaks return.
4. Slowly pour the hot sugar into the egg whites, on medium speed, making sure to pour along the side of the bowl.
5. Continue beating on medium speed for 5 minutes, until the bottom of the mixing bowl is cool and the egg white are shiny.
6. Add butter to egg whites in 3 separate batches. Increase mixer speed to high. Mix for 4-6 minutes, until shiny and smooth.
7. Add vanilla extract and mix for 30 seconds.
8. Place cream cheese in a separate mixing bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.  Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until very smooth.
9. Add egg white and butter mixture to cream cheese and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes, until combined.  Add maple syrup and beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Set aside until ready to use.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1. Place icing in a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe a large ring of icing on the flat side of 12 of the whoopie pie circles. Leave the center of each circle open.
2. Spoon 2 tablespoons of apple pie filling into the center of the circle.
3. Top with remaining cake circles and press gently.
4. Add one piece of bacon brittle to each whoopie pie before serving.  

Cook’s Note: Baking pans lined with parchment paper may be used instead of whoopie pie mats. If you are not using whoopie pie mats, reduce the water in the cake by 1/4 cup. Using a 2 tablespoon scoop, place 12 round cakes on each baking pan, leaving 2 inches in between each one.