Mint choc chip whoopie pies

Preparation method

1. Line the cups of a muffin tin with cling film and place in the freezer.

2. For the mint choc chip ice-cream, beat the double cream until very soft peaks form when you remove the whisk, then whisk in the condensed milk until smooth. Fold in the peppermint oil and taste (add more if necessary).

   Technique: Whipping cream by hand

3. Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin bits of chocolate into the cream mix, then fold them in.

4. Scoop the mix into the prepared muffin tin cups. Each cup will be the deep filling for a single whoopie pie. Smooth the tops and freeze overnight.

5. For the biscuits, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

6. Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. (Do not let the base of the bowl touch the water.)

   Technique: Melting chocolate

7. In a separate bowl whisk together the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Then fold in the chocolate mixture.

8. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cocoa and baking powder together, then fold into the chocolate and egg mixture, until thoroughly combined.

9. Place tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking tray (the mixture should make 36 biscuits) and bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes.

10. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a rack.

11. Melt the extra chocolate, if using, and pour this over the cookies, then set aside to cool.

12. When ready to serve, use the clingfilm to turn out the ice cream from the muffin tin and sandwich a peice of ice cream between two whoopie biscuits.

13. Dust with cocoa powder and icing sugar and serve immediately.

• Vegetarian

Overnight preparation time

10 to 30 mins cooking time

Makes 18 whoopie pies