Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Decidedly more common on the east coast, I've been introducing whoopie pies to my friends here on the west coast. I've made them in traditional chocolate, but also in maple and pumpkin flavors. Pumpkin is hands down my favorite. These are so good, that I've had requests to make them every year for the past 8 years already. :) I don't care for pumpkin in the traditional pie form, but it's delicious in pretty much any other baked treat! The spiced cream cheese filling is also great as a topping for banana bread, gingersnaps, etc..
I like to use the "cookie scoop" when I make these, since it helps make them evenly sized, but it doesn't really matter - you could use two spoons to scoop/form the batter. Also, please note that the filling makes a LOT. I always end up with about 1/3rd of it left over. You can either fill these more generously, cut the filling recipe down by 1/3rd, or simply find another use for the leftover filling.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Cake Part:
1/2 regular sized can of pumpkin (about 1 cup)
1/3 C softened unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 package spice cake mix
1/2 C milk
Parchment paper for lining the baking sheet
In a large bowl, beat pumpkin and butter until smooth. Add spice cake mix, eggs, milk, and beat at a low speed until combined for 1 minute. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a spoon or mini ice cream scoop to ladle batter, about 3 inches apart on the lined cookie sheets. Bake at 375 until lightly browned around the edges (about 15 minutes). Cool the cakes on the parchment paper on the cooling rack so they do not become sticky.
Middle Filling:
1/2 C softened unsalted butter (you could get away with using less if you want)
8oz package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 of a 7oz jar marsmallow creme (you can use fluff if you don't have creme. Just 'melt' it slightly in the microwave for a few seconds first to thicken it)
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Mix dry ingredients in small bowl. In mixing bowl, beat butter until smooth, add cream cheese and marshmallow creme and continue beating. Add dry ingredients, a little at a time, mixing until smooth. The longer you mix it the more fluffy you will get.
Once the cakes are cooled, spread filling on the flat half of one cake, and top with another cake to make a sandwich. Enjoy!
I like to use the "cookie scoop" when I make these, since it helps make them evenly sized, but it doesn't really matter - you could use two spoons to scoop/form the batter. Also, please note that the filling makes a LOT. I always end up with about 1/3rd of it left over. You can either fill these more generously, cut the filling recipe down by 1/3rd, or simply find another use for the leftover filling.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Cake Part:
1/2 regular sized can of pumpkin (about 1 cup)
1/3 C softened unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 package spice cake mix
1/2 C milk
Parchment paper for lining the baking sheet
In a large bowl, beat pumpkin and butter until smooth. Add spice cake mix, eggs, milk, and beat at a low speed until combined for 1 minute. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a spoon or mini ice cream scoop to ladle batter, about 3 inches apart on the lined cookie sheets. Bake at 375 until lightly browned around the edges (about 15 minutes). Cool the cakes on the parchment paper on the cooling rack so they do not become sticky.
Middle Filling:
1/2 C softened unsalted butter (you could get away with using less if you want)
8oz package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 of a 7oz jar marsmallow creme (you can use fluff if you don't have creme. Just 'melt' it slightly in the microwave for a few seconds first to thicken it)
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Mix dry ingredients in small bowl. In mixing bowl, beat butter until smooth, add cream cheese and marshmallow creme and continue beating. Add dry ingredients, a little at a time, mixing until smooth. The longer you mix it the more fluffy you will get.
Once the cakes are cooled, spread filling on the flat half of one cake, and top with another cake to make a sandwich. Enjoy!