As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to indulge in delightful fall treats like Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. These scrumptious cookie sandwiches are not only a feast for the eyes but also a delightful treat for your taste buds. With their soft, cake-like texture and creamy filling, they capture the essence of autumn in every bite. The blend of pumpkin and warm spices brings comfort, making them an adored recipe during the fall season and beyond.
What makes Pumpkin Whoopie Pies truly appealing is their simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and a quick baking process, even novice bakers can create this delightful dessert with ease. And let’s not forget about that amazing filling! The combination of cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar creates a rich, velvety texture that perfectly complements the soft pumpkin cookies. Prepare for your friends and family to be charmed by these indulgent desserts that are sure to become a staple in your recipe book.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Whoopie Pie
- Flavor Explosion: The sweet and spicy notes from pumpkin pie spice paired with the rich cream cheese filling marry perfectly.
- Texture Delight: Enjoy a soft, cake-like cookie enveloping a luscious filling, creating a delightful combination of textures.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in just 35 minutes, these whoopie pies can be enjoyed without a long wait.
- Perfect for Fall: Embrace the flavors of the season with this quintessential autumn dessert.
- Customizable: The recipe can easily be adapted to your taste preferences.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
Before diving into this delicious Pumpkin Whoopie Pies recipe, it’s essential to prepare your kitchen for a smooth baking experience. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and ensuring you have two baking sheets lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Having parchment paper handy helps in easy removal of the cookies once they are baked.
Gather the necessary tools: you’ll need a medium bowl for whisking your dry ingredients, a large mixing bowl for the wet ingredients, and a rubber spatula or wooden spoon for combining everything. To scoop the batter, a cookie scoop or a spoon will work wonders in achieving uniform sizes for each whoopie pie. Finally, have an electric mixer handy for whipping up the cream cheese filling; this helps achieve that smooth texture without much effort.
Ingredients
- 3.25 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1.5 cups Pumpkin Puree
- 1.25 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
- 2 large Eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
- 0.5 cup Cream Cheese, at room temperature
- 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prepping the Oven and Ingredients
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial as it ensures the whoopie pies bake evenly and rise to the perfect fluffy texture. While the oven heats, get your two baking sheets lined with parchment paper; this will allow for easy removal of your baked cookies.
Step 2: Making the Dry Mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This mixture forms the foundation of your cookie, and whisking thoroughly ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Step 3: Creating the Wet Ingredients Mixture
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree with both granulated and brown sugars. Mix until the mixture is smooth and well-blended. The natural sweetness of pumpkin combined with the sugars creates a delicious flavor base. Next, pour in the melted butter and mix until fully incorporated. Then add the eggs one at a time and the vanilla extract, blending everything until quite homogenous.
Step 4: Combining Mixtures
Carefully add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture, gently stirring until just combined. It’s essential not to overmix at this stage; a few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing could lead to dense cookies, which we want to avoid.
Step 5: Dropping the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about two inches between each scoop. This space allows the cookies to spread without merging into one another during baking.
Step 6: Baking
Bake your whoopie pies for about 12-15 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are set with centers that still have a bit of gloss. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, indicating they are done. Once baked, let them cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Step 7: Whipping Up the Cream Filling
While your cookies cool, it’s time to prepare the cream filling. In a medium bowl, beat together the confectioners’ sugar, cream cheese, and half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until the filling is smooth and creamy; a hand mixer works best for this step to ensure creaminess.
Step 8: Assembling the Whoopie Pies
Once your cookies are completely cool, take half of them and flip them upside down. Spread a generous amount of the cream filling on the flat side of each cookie, ensuring not to skimp on this delicious layer. Top with another cookie, flat side down, creating your whoopie pie. Repeat until all cookies are combined.
Variations
- Protein: Add a scoop of protein powder to the flour mixture for a protein boost.
- Vegetables: Incorporate finely grated carrots or zucchini for additional texture and flavor.
- Spices: Experiment with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a splash of maple syrup for different flavor profiles.
Cooking Notes
- Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- These whoopie pies can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days, making them a great treat to prep ahead of time.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a warm cup of spiced chai or apple cider for the ultimate fall experience.
- Serve at parties as finger food desserts—their size makes them easy to share!
Tips
- For added texture, consider mixing in some chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the cookie batter.
- Mix the cream filling in advance and store in the fridge until you are ready to assemble to keep it fresh.
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: Approximately 220 per whoopie pie
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin puree?
Absolutely! Using canned pumpkin puree is a convenient and time-saving option. Just make sure it’s 100% pumpkin without additives.
Can I freeze whoopie pies?
Yes, you can freeze assembled whoopie pies. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container before freezing.
What is the best way to store whoopie pies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days or in the fridge for longer freshness.
How can I make these whoopie pies vegan?
Swap the eggs for flax eggs and replace the cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative for a delicious vegan-friendly treat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are a delightful dessert that perfectly embodies the flavors of fall. Their soft texture combined with an irresistible cream filling makes them the ideal treat for gatherings or cozy family nights at home. Whether you serve them to guests or enjoy them yourself, these whoopie pies are sure to impress. We encourage you to share your experiences with this recipe, any variations you’ve tried, and how they turned out. Embrace the season, get experimenting in your kitchen, and savor the joy these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies bring!
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Delicious Pumpkin Whoopie Pies for Fall Indulgence
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Delight in the flavors of fall with these soft and creamy Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 3.25 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1.5 cups Pumpkin Puree
- 1.25 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
- 2 large Eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
- 0.5 cup Cream Cheese, at room temperature
- 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree with granulated and brown sugars until smooth. Mix in melted butter, then add eggs and vanilla extract.
- Carefully incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture; avoid overmixing.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of batter onto baking sheets, leaving space between each scoop.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are set; cool on sheets before transferring to a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl, beat together confectioners’ sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth.
- Once cookies are cool, spread filling on flat side of half and sandwich with remaining cookies.
Notes
Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Can freeze assembled whoopie pies in plastic wrap.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Protein: 2 g