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Whoopie pies were pretty much a staple of my childhood. So, it was only a matter of time until they made an appearance on here. And, I can also promise this won’t be the last time you see whoopie pies around this place.

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If you’re new to the whoopie pies, they’re basically a cake-like cookie filled with icing. So kind of like oreo meets cake but on steroids.

My grandma Smith was a celebrity around my high school lacrosse team, as she’d occasionally walk over to our practice with a massive box of whoopie pies. You know those traditional chocolate cake and bright white Crisco filled icing ones. Just what we needed mid-practice….

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Now, these pumpkin whoopie pies aren’t your traditional whoopie pies. I’ve been pondering up for awhile what I could use for a filling that wasn’t the traditional crisco + powdered sugar fest. Then, I came across Hummusapien’s pumpkin dip and decided, yup… that’s it! So these are technically Pumpkin – Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. Pumpkin cakey cookies with Pumpkin filling. If that doesn’t scream Fall, I’m not sure what does.

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Honestly, the cookies alone are also ridiculously fabulous. So, if whoopie pies aren’t your thing, these cookies will be.

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Be a rebel. Be like Grandma Smith. Show up to Thanksgiving with these guys instead of a pie. <<okay, maybe both! What’s Thanksgiving without pie?!>>


 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Servings 8 big whoopie pies

Ingredients
  

Cookies

  • 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup avocado oil or oil of choice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin canned
  • 2 eggs

Filling

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin canned
  • 2 Tbsp almond butter
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 oz Neufchatel cheese or cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp coconut flour

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gather two nonstick baking sheets.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder & soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  • In a medium bowl, add oil, brown sugar, and eggs. Beat with a hand mixer for 1 minute. Add pumpkin. Beat again for 1 minute.
  • Fold flour mixture into pumpkin mixture with a large spoon until well incorporated and all the flour is mixed in.
  • Place approx. 2 Tbsp of dough 1 inch apart on the baking sheets. The cookies don't spread too much so make them about the size and shape you want.
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes or until cookies are firm in the center.
  • While cookies are baking, prepare the filling. In a new bowl, combine all the filling ingredients and mix with hand mixer until fluffy.
  • Scoop filling into the corner of a freezer bag and keep in refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the whoopie pies.
  • When your cookies are done baking, allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before removing. Allow to completely cool on a baking rack before filling.
  • To assemble the whoopie pies, cut a hole in the end of the freezer bag filled with filling. Pipe onto one cookie. Top with another equally sized cookies. Repeat for all 8 cookies.
  • Store any extra in the refrigerator.

Notes

How-to-Use:
Athletes: It's possible that I ate these as a pre-workout snack after recipe testing and it's possible that it made my belly v happy. Pre or post workout, your belly will thank you.
Healthy Eating: A pumpkin on pumpkin dessert loaded with Vitamin A and not too loaded with sugar. Round out that holiday feast with these nutritious dreams!
Kids: Sometimes it is really nice to know that when your kids think they're getting something sweet and delicious - it's actually good for them. <<You can also wear the filling on your chest if you want.>>
Other Thoughts:
  • The filling is inspired by Hummusapien's Pumpkin Dip - and she does a great job of explaining why you need to use the coconut flour. Pumpkin is very 'm' word - which can be difficult. Adding the coconut flour which absorbs a TON of liquid is really necessary here.
  • Don't feel like an underachiever if you want to eat the cookies plain. They are phenomenal plain.
  • Keep them in the refrigerator after you make them. They're legit right away but still very good the next day.

 

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