Monday, October 12, 2009

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Fall is definitely in the air here in Indiana which means it is time to break out the pumpkin and start baking some treats. First on the list this year is pumpkin whoopie pies. I searched around for a recipe and decided to try this Martha Stewart one because the cream cheese filling sounded good. I was a bit skeptical of the 4 tablespoons of spices that went in but it all worked out in the end and they are not overwhelming at all.


I am not sure what Martha Stewart was thinking, this recipe definitely makes more than 12 pies. I made 8 large ones (using a 3 tablespoon scoop) and 10 smaller ones (using a 2 tablespoon scoop). Depending on what size scoop you use you could easily make as many as 2 dozen whoopie pies. These are definitely delicious and I am sure I will be making them again soon.


Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream-Cheese Filling
Adapted from
Martha Stewart

Ingredients
For The Cookies
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cloves
2 cups firmly packed dark-brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups pumpkin puree, chilled
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Filling
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
Make the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and oil until well combined. Add pumpkin puree and whisk until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and whisk until well combined. Sprinkle flour mixture over pumpkin mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
Using a small ice cream scoop with a release mechanism, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Transfer to oven and bake until cookies are just starting to crack on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of each cookie comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely on pan.

Make the filling: Sift confectioner' sugar into a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat until well combined. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla, beat just until smooth. (Filling can be made up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate; let stand at room temperature to soften before using.)
Assemble the whoopie pies: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Transfer filling to a disposable pastry bag and snip the end. When cookies have cooled completely, pipe a large dollop of filling on the flat side of half of the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies, pressing down slightly so that the filling spreads to the edge of the cookies. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate cookies at least 30 minutes before serving and up to 3 days.

14 comments:

Cassi said...

MMMMMMMM They look yummy! I would like one! :)
I love pumpkin!

Risa said...

I saw her make those on her show and they looked delish!

Anonymous said...

OH YUM amber! Those look fantastic!!

Otava said...

Yummo--thanks for sharing! There's nothing quite as good as spiced-up pumpkin!

Sherri Murphy said...

They look scrumptious! Nice photos too!

Anonymous said...

These look great!

Britni said...

I think I may have to try these. I love pumpkin!!

That Girl said...

I love love love the sound of these!

Colleen said...

I love whoopie pies - and anything pumpkin at this time of year is perfect!

Katy ~ said...

Wow, that does look like a big recipe. I love the chocolate whoopie pies and have never tried any other, but these look so good I want them. They look fantastic. I agree about the filling. Sounds YUMMERS!!

A Cooking Bookworm said...

PUMPKIN Whoopie Pies?!!! Oh, man...I want one!! I've never had a pumpkin one... They sound perfect!

Jessica said...

I made these last year and they were soooo good! Yours look wonderful.

Will,Laurie,Brock said...

So, I made these fab little treats yesterday and boy are they a hit in my house. I made big ones and my hubs ate two after dinner last night. I think next time I will make small ones too. Thanks for sharing such great recipes!

Elizabeth said...

I made these last weekend, and they were such a hit! My husband, sister, neighbors...everyone seriously loved them. I am making them for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the great recipe!