Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are a delightful dessert that blends soft, spiced pumpkin cakes with a creamy filling. These treats are perfect for fall, bringing together the warm flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in each bite. With their cake-like texture and sweet, fluffy filling, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies offer a unique twist on the classic cookie sandwich.
Making Pumpkin Whoopie Pies doesn’t take long and is easy to prepare. The total time for this recipe is around 40 minutes, with just 10-15 minutes of baking time. Allow about 10 minutes for the pies to cool, then add the filling, and you’re ready to enjoy this delicious fall treat!
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a fun and festive dessert. The warm spices make them ideal for cozy autumn gatherings. The soft, pillowy cakes paired with the rich cream filling create a balanced sweetness that’s not too overpowering. Each bite feels like a comforting embrace, and they are often a crowd favorite.
Why You’ll Love It Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe
- Perfect for Fall: These Pumpkin Whoopie Pies bring the cozy flavors of autumn to life. The rich pumpkin flavor and warm spices create a delicious treat that perfectly fits the fall season.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is quick and simple to prepare, making it perfect for beginner bakers. With just a few ingredients, you can create a batch of soft, sweet pies in no time.
- Family-Friendly: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are a hit with kids and adults alike. They make a great snack or dessert for gatherings, offering a fun twist on traditional pumpkin treats.
Ingredient Notes for Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe
- All-purpose flour: The base of the whoopie pie dough, providing structure and texture. It helps hold the ingredients together and gives the pies their soft, cake-like consistency.
- Baking soda: A leavening agent that helps the whoopie pies rise, giving them a light and fluffy texture. It reacts with the acidic ingredients, like pumpkin puree, to create air bubbles during baking.
- Ground cinnamon: This spice adds warmth and a classic fall flavor to the pumpkin whoopie pies. It’s key to creating that cozy, spiced taste everyone loves.
- Ground ginger: Ginger enhances the overall flavor of the pies with a bit of heat and a slightly sweet, spicy kick. It complements the pumpkin and cinnamon perfectly.
- Ground cloves: A little goes a long way with cloves, adding depth and complexity to the flavor. It pairs well with the other spices for a balanced taste.
- Salt: Salt is essential in baking. It enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, balancing out the sweetness and spices.
- Pumpkin puree: The star ingredient of these whoopie pies! Pumpkin puree gives the dough its moisture and natural sweetness, while also infusing the pies with that signature fall flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Used to sweeten the dough, granulated sugar adds the necessary sweetness to complement the pumpkin and spices.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds richness and moisture, creating a chewy texture in the whoopie pies. It also adds a slight molasses flavor that deepens the taste.
- Vegetable oil: Oil helps make the whoopie pies moist and soft. It’s a key ingredient in creating a tender texture that contrasts with the soft, spiced cake.
- Egg: Eggs bind the ingredients together, providing structure to the dough and helping the pies rise. They also add moisture and richness to the recipe.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds a smooth, aromatic sweetness to the whoopie pies. It balances the spices and enhances the overall flavor.
Helpful Tips and Add Your Touch
When making pumpkin whoopie pies, it’s important to get the texture just right. Use fresh pumpkin puree to keep the cakes moist. This will help create that soft, chewy texture everyone loves. Avoid using canned pumpkin pie filling, as it contains extra spices and sugar.
For the best flavor, spice it up! Traditional pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger give your whoopie pies that classic fall taste. Feel free to adjust the spice levels to suit your personal taste, adding more or less depending on how bold you want the flavor to be.
The cream filling is just as important as the pumpkin cakes. Use room temperature cream cheese to make a smooth filling. You can also mix in a little vanilla extract or powdered sugar for extra sweetness. If you like a tangy flavor, try adding a touch of lemon zest.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe Variation
For a fun twist, you can add chocolate chips to the dough or swap out the cream cheese filling for a spiced buttercream. You can even incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling for extra crunch. Pumpkin spice lovers may also sprinkle extra cinnamon or nutmeg on the cookies.
How to Serve Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe
Pumpkin whoopie pies are perfect for a cozy fall gathering or as a sweet treat with your afternoon coffee. Serve them on a platter alongside warm drinks, or pack them in lunchboxes for a delightful dessert. These pies are a great option for any occasion, adding warmth and flavor to the table.
You can also serve them at dessert tables for fall-themed parties. Their soft texture and creamy filling make them a crowd favorite. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more indulgent treat. These whoopie pies are sure to impress any guest!
Storage Options
To store pumpkin whoopie pies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the pies without the filling for up to 3 months. Add the filling before serving.
For the best texture, allow the whoopie pies to thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes before eating. Always store the pies in layers separated by parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
FAQs About Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe
How do I store pumpkin whoopie pies?
Store pumpkin whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to a week.
Can I make pumpkin whoopie pies in advance?
Yes, you can make pumpkin whoopie pies a day or two ahead of time. Just make sure to store them properly so the cookies stay soft and the filling doesn’t dry out.
Can I freeze pumpkin whoopie pies?
Yes, you can freeze pumpkin whoopie pies. Simply place them in an airtight container or wrap them individually and freeze for up to three months.
What’s the best way to make the filling for pumpkin whoopie pies?
To make the filling, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy, and spread generously between the two pumpkin cookies.
Easy Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Set it aside. In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Shape the Cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Filling: While the cookies are cooling, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Once smooth and creamy, add the cinnamon, if using, and mix again.
- Assemble the Whoopie Pies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, flip half of the cookies over and spread a generous amount of cream filling on the flat side. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing gently to sandwich them together.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are now ready to enjoy! Serve them right away, or store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
