Christmas in July
July 25, 2011 at 11:10 am | Posted in Baking / Cooking, Food | 26 CommentsTags: baking, chocolate, cookbook, dessert, vegan, Vegan Desserts, whoopie pies
Sleigh bells are most certainly not ringing on this sweltering day, but in a summer state of mind, the ice cream truck’s cheerful jingle could happily suffice. Christmas in July is a phenomena that has not yet truly caught on in the US, typically reserved as a poor excuse to go on shopping sprees or drink a few too many cocktails by the beach. The lack of decent holidays through the hottest months of the year has me searching high and low for new events to celebrate, anything to shake up the monotony of one hot and busy day after another, so I say it’s high time we start getting into the spirit. Build a “snowman” on out of sand, string lights onto a palm tree, make gingerbread baked inside oranges over the campfire! If you can find an indoor rink, now is the best time to go ice skating, too; shockingly empty of other skaters, it’s the perfect chilly respite from a 100-degree afternoon.
Better yet, serve up some peppermint-mocha whoopie pies.
Though they do require quick use of the oven, the sweat will be worthwhile, since the end results are satisfyingly sweet and cooling. A spinoff on my Peppermint Mocha Trifles from Vegan Desserts, this hand-held version is ideal for speedy baking and on-the-go eating. Just make a half batch of everything, adding 3/4 cup of flour to the cake portion. Instead of pouring the cake batter into a baking dish, scoop it out onto a silpat-lined baking sheet, using a small cookie scoop for consistent shapes. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes at 350 degrees, until just lightly browned around the edges, and let cool completely. Spread your chilled chocolate custard between two cookies, and then roll the edges in crushes candy canes. Voila, a miniature, portable trifle- With a touch of summery Christmas spirit!
This will make you approximately 36 individual cookies, and thus 18 finished whoopie pies. Store the cake-like sandwiches in the fridge for maximum refreshment, or in the freezer to make mock-ice cream sandwiches. Be sure to eat them quickly once the peppermint candies have been added- As evidence by my photo, the can melt quickly due to the moisture and heat. Plus, I can’t imagine anyone being able to resist chowing down for that long!
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Oh these look fantastic…Sign me up for Christmas in July!!!
Comment by veggiegrettie— July 25, 2011 #
Chocolate mint is probably my favorite all-time flavor combo and these are calling my name! YUM!
Comment by Vegyogini— July 25, 2011 #
I have been to so many Christmas press shows this July I feel I have done Christmas for this year alrerady!
Comment by Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours— July 25, 2011 #
You know, I just tried my first whoopie pie EVER (!!) at Whole Foods last week…they had some vegan ones for $1.99 and I decided it was high-time to try one. It didn’t disappoint at all, but I have a feeling that peppermint-mocha will be 10 times more delicious! Thanks for bringing a little wintertime joy in July!!
Comment by Bethany— July 25, 2011 #
This is the kind of Christmas in July I can get behind, yum!
Comment by kala— July 25, 2011 #
I had no clue a whoopie pie could be made tastier than it already was!!
Comment by The Food and Love Diaries— July 25, 2011 #
I would take that whoopie pie in the summer! ok I would take them any time of the year!!! YUMMMMMMM
Comment by Pure2raw twins— July 25, 2011 #
yummeeee.. give me them whoopie pies anytime.! That reminds me that i have to check out your book on hubbs unused kindle!
Comment by Richa— July 25, 2011 #
Oh yeah, finally, someone who feels (as I do) Christmas can NEVER come to soon!! So sad all the ‘haters’ who say Christmas decorations in the store in August is “too soon” – Feh! Its NEVER to soon! Thanks so much for this post and recipe, you’ve got me all excited for the tinsel season!!
KK at SugarBeams
SugarBeams
Comment by Kristine @ SugarBeams— July 25, 2011 #
I am totally fine with turning on the oven in the sweltering heat, have no fear. And I’m also totally fine with peppermint mocha in July! Delicious treat.
Comment by Joanne— July 25, 2011 #
I always thought that “Christmas in July” was just a southern-hemisphere thing, which we started because it’s winter here and so we can do the traditional food without killing ourselves in the heat? Though my family always does it on 40C December 25th too :P
Comment by Hannah— July 26, 2011 #
Oh my goodness. They look as if they are to die for.
Comment by Karp Styles Crochet and Knitting— July 26, 2011 #
I wanna have one of those please! Looks so yummy
Comment by rsmacaalay— July 27, 2011 #
While I am not a fan of Christmas in July, these look awesome :-)
Comment by Neil Butterfield— July 27, 2011 #
Hi! All these foods look great! But I am a barb.i.q person, and I love my steak! I just wanted to say this all looks delish! But where r the new crochet patterns? My very first amigurumi that I made was your basic bird. Please make some more soon, u make adorable patterns! Thanks!
Comment by Guest— July 27, 2011 #
A delightful little whoopie pie. It’s so appealing with the minty chips.
Comment by Joanne— July 27, 2011 #
[...] Peppermint Mocha Whoopie Pies by BitterSweet [...]
Pingback by Christmas in July: 12 Links That Can’t Wait Until December |Candle Making Kits | Beeswax, Soy and Gel Candle Making Starter Kits— July 27, 2011 #
I love the idea of Christmas in July and this whoopie pie is just perfect for the celebration.
Hope you are having a wonderful week Hannah :-)
Comment by Juliana— July 27, 2011 #
This made me smile from the get go; I am already dreaming of a white christmas… crazy right?! I love peppermint, and turning the oven on almost always results in something worth the extra sweat.
Comment by bakerbynature— July 27, 2011 #
Since I was a kid, very July I’ve wished I were in Australia so I could join in on the Christmas in July celebrations, lol! Love the idea of these whoopie pies — what a great flavor combo!
Comment by Faith— July 28, 2011 #
When it’s this good I’ll take Christmas treats ANY time of year =D.
Comment by Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets— July 29, 2011 #
You’re absolutely right about not enough celebrations in summer. Great use of my leftover candy canes that are still in my pantry!
Comment by DJ Karma— July 31, 2011 #
Who doesn’t love a Christmas cookie? July, December…it’s always a wonderful thing!
Comment by Emilie— August 3, 2011 #
These look sooo yummy.
Comment by dessertdabbler— August 3, 2011 #
It look like so dilicious.
Comment by last fashion blog— August 4, 2011 #
What cute little whoopie pies!
Comment by Ashley— August 24, 2011 #