• Heat the oven to 350 F.
• Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Measure the flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt into a bowl. Whisk or stir to blend.
  1 cup all-purpose flour | 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder | 1/4 tsp baking powder | 1/2 tsp baking soda | 1/4 tsp salt
• In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat 4 tablespoons of butter with 1/2 cup of brown sugar until light. Add the egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla; beat until well blended. Stir in the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and red food coloring. Beat until smooth and blended.
  4 tbsp unsalted butter | 1/2 cup brown sugar | 1 large egg | 1 tsp vanilla extract | 1/2 cup buttermilk | 1 tbsp red food coloring
• With a cookie scoop or pastry bag, drop or pipe the batter onto the prepared baking sheets in 1 1/2-inch round mounds.
• Bake the whoopie pies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cakes spring back when touched lightly with a finger.
• Cool completely before filling.
• Prepare the filling (directions below) and spread or pipe some on the bottom of a cookie. Top with another cookie to form a whoopie pie (flat side down). Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.
  
• Store the whoopie pies in the refrigerator in wax paper or parchment-lined containers, putting sheets of parchment or wax paper between the cookies.

Filling

• Beat the 4 ounces of cream cheese with 4 tablespoons of butter and a pinch of salt until light. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
  4 ounces cream cheese | 4 tbsp unsalted butter | 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar | 1 pinch salt | 1/2 tsp vanilla extract