1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.

2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of shortening and white sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the eggs one at a time then stir in the vanilla and milk.

4. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt, stir into the creamed mixture.

5. Stir together the baking soda and hot water then add to the batter.

6. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.

7. Bake for 8 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm but not over baked. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

8. To make the filling: In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and butter with the confectioner’s sugar and 1/4 cup of flour until light and fluffy.

9. Gradually beat in the half and half and vanilla until well mixed. Sandwich some filling between the flat sides of two cookies to form each whoopie pie.