Pumpkin Whoopie Pies – Immerse yourself in the comforting tastes of autumn, with our Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. These satisfying treats, blasting with the flavors of pumpkin and spices are a perfect addition to any fall get-together or a cozy evening at home. With their creamy maple cream cheese frosting and the use of real pumpkin puree, they truly exemplify the core of extravagance.
I can still vividly recall the first time I whipped up these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. It was on a crisp October night. The aroma of pumpkin spice coasted through our house bringing bliss to my husband and our little one. Their faces lit up with every bite turning this recipe into a tradition within our family since.
What makes this Pumpkin Whoopie Pies truly stand out?
What makes these whoopie pies stand out? For starters, the inclusion of genuine pumpkin puree imparts a richness in flavor. Additionally, the maple cream cheese frosting adds a twist compared to fillings. Lastly, they’re incredibly easy to make and suitable, for bakers of all skill levels.
What You Need To Make This Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe?
All Purpose Flour: Just like an embrace this serves as the foundation, for our whoopie pies. It binds everything together resulting in that cakey texture we all yearn for in a whoopie pie.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: This is the essence of our recipe! It encapsulates the flavors we associate with autumn – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice – infusing every bite with warmth. It’s what gives these whoopie pies that snug feeling like wearing a sweater on a day.
Chilled Pumpkin Puree: The heart and soul of our pies! This isn’t any pumpkin; it embodies the essence of fall packed into every spoonful. It brings moisture, richness, and that beautiful orange hue that transforms each pie into a work of autumn art.
Granulated and Dark Brown Sugar: These are like whispers in our recipe. The granulated sugar adds sweetness while the dark brown sugar contributes a hint of molasses depth – of fallen leaves and crisp evenings.
Vegetable Oil: The hero. While it may not be glamorous it imparts that tender crumb to our cookies that make your heart sigh with contentment.
Eggs: They’re akin to the binding force, within a family unit. In our pies, we combine the ingredients to create a blend that gives structure and richness ensuring each bite brings comfort like an embrace, from a loved one.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract is like the melody in your song. It may play subtly in the background. Its sweet and aromatic presence elevates the experience making the flavors come alive.
Cream Cheese & Butter in Frosting: Butter in our frosting contributes to its dreamy texture. Like the cloud against a bright blue sky they create a frosting that is luxuriously smooth akin to a little cloud of pure bliss with every mouthful.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup isn’t just about sweetness; it embodies the essence of countless autumn sunrises captured in a bottle. It imparts a charm to our frosting transforming it into not just a filling but also an evocative memory of crisp golden mornings.
Sprinkles or Jimmies (Optional): Sprinkles or jimmies (optional) are like the finale, at the end of a day. They’re not decorations; they are bursts of delight that infuse color and fun into every bite of our whoopie pie.
Steps To Make Pumpkin Whoopie Pies:
Step 1: To make Pumpkin Cookies start by preheating your oven and preparing your baking sheets. In a bowl whisk together all the ingredients and set it aside. In another bowl combine the ingredients, like pumpkin puree, sugars, and eggs. Slowly mix in the ingredients until everything is well combined.
Step 2: Next, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto your baking sheets. Bake them for around 10 to 12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cookies. Let them cool before moving on to the step.
Step 3: For Maple Cream Cheese Frosting beat butter, until it’s smooth. Then add cream cheese followed by sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together until smooth but be careful not to overdo it.
Step 4: Now that your cookies have cooled down completely pipe some frosting on one side of half of them. Place another cookie on top to create a sandwich treat. If you want to add a touch of decoration you can sprinkle some sprinkles or jimmies on top.
Step 5: Lastly, refrigerate your whoopie pies for an hour before serving so that all the flavors can blend beautifully.
Step 6: Enjoy your delicious homemade Pumpkin Cookies!
Tip:
If you want to take your baking skills up a notch when making Pumpkin Whoopie Pies here’s a tip; chill the dough before baking. After you’ve mixed the dough let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before scooping it onto your baking sheets. This step works wonders for a few reasons;
Enhanced Flavor Development: Like, with a stew giving the dough time to meld together allows the flavors of spices, pumpkin and sugars to harmonize. This results in a nuanced flavor in your final whoopie pies.
Improved Texture: Chilled dough is firmer and easier to handle. This means you can achieve cookies that are perfect for sandwiching together as whoopie pies.
Better Shape and Spread Control: When the dough is chilled it spreads less during baking. This helps maintain that ideal shape of whoopie pies ensuring they’re not too thin and have just the right amount of puffiness.
By adding this step to your baking routine you’ll notice a difference in both the flavor and texture of your Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. It may be an effort. It’s worth it, for an outstanding final result!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these in advance?
Yes, you can make these a day in advance. Store them in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze Pumpkin Whoopie Pies?
Certainly! You can freeze Pumpkin Whoopie Pies for, up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
What can I use instead of maple syrup in the frosting?
If you don’t have maple syrup, on hand, honey or a simple syrup can be used as alternatives. However, keep in mind that the flavor profile will be slightly different.
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<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Ingredients
For Pumpkin Cookies:
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 2 ½ tbsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 c Granulated Sugar
- 1 c Dark Brown Sugar firmly packed
- 3 c All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 c Vegetable Oil
- 3 c Chilled Pumpkin Puree
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
For Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz Cream Cheese at room temperature
- 3 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 c Powdered Sugar
- ½ c Unsalted Butter at room temperature
- Optional: Sprinkles or Jimmies for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). To the middle position adjust the oven rack. Line your baking sheets, with parchment paper.
- In a bowl whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda baking powder and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a bowl vigorously mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar and oil. Add the pumpkin puree, eggs and vanilla extract; whisk until everything is well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while stirring until they are just combined.
- Scoop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheets. Bake, for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow them to cool on the sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Beat the butter until it becomes smooth. Add cream cheese. Beat again. Gradually mix in sugar, maple syrup and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Spread frosting on one side of half of the cookies. Place another cookie on top to create a sandwich structure.
- Refrigerate your whoopie pies for at least an hour before serving.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!