Oatmeal "Cream" Pies

I ran across this recipe on a message board for mom's of kids with allergies and just had to give it a try.  Sophia and I definitely approve and hopefully Brad will too!  As always, I switched things up, but only one this time! :-)  Instead of soy milk I used coconut milk.

FOR THE COOKIES:

1 1/2 sticks dairy free margarine

1 3/4 c. light brown sugar

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp. good quality vanilla extract

2 T. water

2 1/4 c. unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 c. quick-cooking oats

FOR THE CREME FILLING:

4 c. confectioners’ sugar

2 tsp. cream of tartar

2 1/2 T. good quality vanilla extract

5 T. soy or rice milk

1/2 c. dairy free shortening

Make the cookies:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line three baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the dairy free margarine, brown sugar, applesauce, vanilla and water until mixed well. In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk. Add to the margarine mixture and mix well. Stir in the oats with a rubber spatula.

Use mini cookie scooper to divide dough evenly onto parchment paper. Bake 7-10 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly on parchment sheets.

While cookies are baking, make the filling:

Combine all filling ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well using a rubber spatula.

When the cookies are cooled, spread a generous amount (I love the creme part to seep through the edges for the ultimate flavor) on the flat side of one cookie, then top with another similar sized cookie. Wrap each “pie” in saran wrap to keep fresh.