chocolate stout whoopie pie with salted caramel filling

The last of the whoopie pies.  This one actually cheats a little by using a cake mix to start out.  Betty Crocker is where I got the recipe from.  They put a marshmallow chocolate stout icing in the middle.  I wanted something that tasted like chocolate, beer and pretzels.  So . . . .the salted caramel filling.
Give it a try, its easy and quick and add your own favorite filling.

from BettyCrocker.com

Triple Chocolate Stout Whoopie Pie

1 box of devils food cake
1/4 cup cocoa
1 box (4 servings) chocolate instant pudding
2/3 cup stout beer
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, or lightly spray with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, beat cookie ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until moistened; beat 1 minute longer on high speed. Drop batter by 2 tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.
• Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until set (do not overbake). Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• Filling

1 Stick butter, softened
1 cup caramel sauce
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
sea salt

In large bowl, beat butter and caramel with electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.  Add in confectioners sugar till desired consistency.  Add in vanilla.  For each whoopie pie, spread about 2 tablespoons filling on bottom of 1 cooled cookie. Top with second cookie, bottom side down. Store covered in refrigerator.