You know you can always rely on me to do something simple and last minute and these Canada Day cakes are no exception.

Despite my imaginative plans for all manner of fancy individual cakes and family desserts, I find myself once again, two days out from a holiday and still having not put any of those thoughts into action. So, the scorecard today is Imagination 1 Practical Action 0.

Fortunately, there is always a shortcut to some fabulous Canada Day cakes without the need for a fabulous amount of time or skill. So here you go – simple red velvet whoopie pies for Canada Day, enjoy.

Ingredients

Yields: Approx. 1 dozen mini whoopie pies

For the pies:

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1.5 tsp baking soda

¼ cup of cocoa powder

1 stick butter, softened

¾ cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

¾ tsp red gel food coloring

2/3 cup sour cream

For the inside filling:

1 stick butter, softened

4 oz. softened cream cheese

2.5 cups confectioners’ sugar

2-3 tbsp milk

For decorating

White frosting

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder and set aside.

In a stand mixer (or using an electric mixer), start beating butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed. Gradually increase to high and add vanilla and red food coloring.

Add your dry ingredients to your butter and egg mixture in thirds, alternating with your sour cream. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Use frosting bags to pipe each colored batter onto your lined baking sheet, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes and allow to cool on a baking rack. (You’ll want to make sure they are completely cool before putting the whoopie pies together/decorating).

To make the filling, beat butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and milk with an electric mixer. Start on medium speed and gradually increase it to high. Your filling is ready once it forms semi-stiff peaks.

Assemble your whoopie pies by spreading the filling on the bottom of one cake. Sandwich the filling by placing another cake on top.

Decorate with white frosting so that it says “Eh?” Happy Canada Day!