Name: Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour; ½ cup (45 g) unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 large egg; 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk; Orange and purple gel food coloring; Halloween sprinkles; Candy eyes; Black or orange sanding sugar

Jump to Recipe· 3.8 from 63 reviews

If you’re craving a festive treat that’s both charmingly playful and irresistibly tasty, this Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe is exactly what you need! Soft, cake-like chocolate cookies sandwich a dreamy, fluffy cream filling tinted in vibrant Halloween colors like orange and purple. These whoopie pies capture the spirit of the season, perfect for parties, trick-or-treaters, or cozy family baking sessions. Each bite delivers a chewy, sweet delight that’s a total crowd-pleaser and utterly fun to make.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a pile of four dark chocolate sandwich cookies stacked on a dark plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two thick, round, dark brown chocolate layers with a smooth orange filling in between. Tiny black chocolate bits are sprinkled on the edge of the orange cream layer. The cookies look soft with small cracks on the top chocolate layer. The background is dark, making the cookies and the plate stand out clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully to create the ultimate soft chocolate cookies and luscious cream filling. Each component plays an essential part in delivering the perfect texture, rich flavor, and festive look.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the soft, cake-like cookies.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and become tender.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances chocolate notes.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and contributes to the chewy texture.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture.
Large egg: Binds ingredients and helps leaven.
Buttermilk: Keeps cookies soft and moist with a slight tang.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to both cookie and filling.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the filling for fluffiness.
Heavy cream or milk: Adjusts filling texture for perfect spreadability.
Orange and purple gel food coloring: Creates those festive Halloween colors.
Optional decorations: Halloween-themed sprinkles, candy eyes, and sanding sugar add playful finishing touches.

How to Make Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your whoopie pies bake evenly and come off the pans cleanly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining these first helps make sure your chocolate cookies have a consistent, rich flavor and tender crumb.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it creates the delicate texture in the cookies. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well to incorporate fully.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now alternate folding in the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk to your creamed butter and sugar. Be gentle and mix just until smooth to keep your cookies tender and soft. Overmixing can lead to tougher results, so trust your instincts here.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Drop tablespoon-sized rounds of cookie batter onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies spring back lightly when touched. Let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Festive Filling

Beat softened butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream or milk until you get a fluffy, spreadable filling. Divide the filling into two bowls and tint one orange and the other purple with the gel food coloring. This colorful magic brings the Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe to life!

Step 7: Assemble and Decorate

Pipe or spread your bright cream filling onto the flat side of one cookie and sandwich it with another. If you’re feeling extra festive, roll the edges of the whoopie pies in Halloween sprinkles, add candy eyes, or sprinkle with black or orange sanding sugar for that perfect spooky touch.

How to Serve Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe

The image shows three dark brown chocolate cookies stacked on a white plate. Each cookie has two smooth, round layers with a bright orange cream filling in the middle, sprinkled with small black poppy seeds on the cream edges. The texture of the cookies looks soft and slightly cracked on top, and the plate is placed on a white marbled surface with a black background behind. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Turning these whoopie pies into mini works of art is half the fun. Candy eyes and colorful sprinkles add a whimsical, festive vibe that’s perfect for Halloween gatherings. If you want a little extra flair, consider piping on small pumpkin shapes or ghost faces with colored icing.

Side Dishes

These whoopie pies are sweet and satisfying on their own, but pairing them with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced chai can elevate the tasting experience. For a party, consider serving alongside fresh fruit slices to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Make your Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe stand out by arranging them on tiered dessert stands or wrapping them individually in clear bags tied with Halloween ribbons. For kids’ parties, create a “build-your-own” whoopie pie station with extra fillings and toppings to encourage creativity and interactive fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Whoopie pies stay best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the cookies soft and the filling fresh. If you’re storing them longer, refrigeration is fine but may slightly firm up the texture.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these festive treats later, freeze the assembled whoopie pies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well for up to one month and thaw beautifully at room temperature.

Reheating

To refresh the soft texture after refrigeration or freezing, let the whoopie pies come to room temperature. You can also give them a quick 10-second zap in the microwave to revive that fresh-baked warmth without melting the filling.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, but buttermilk is recommended because it adds a slight tang and helps create that tender, moist cookie texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

How do I prevent the cookies from getting too hard?

Be sure not to overbake the cookies—they should still feel soft when you press gently. Also, using buttermilk and not overmixing the batter helps keep them light and chewy.

Can I make these whoopie pies vegan or gluten-free?

With some ingredient swaps like gluten-free flour blends and vegan butter or egg replacements, you can adapt this recipe. Keep in mind the texture and taste might vary slightly, but it’s definitely possible to create a festive treat that meets your needs!

What if my filling is too runny?

If the filling doesn’t hold its shape well, simply add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until it thickens to your liking. Chilling it briefly before assembling also helps it set up nicely.

Can I use different colors for the filling?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with any gel food coloring to match your party theme or personal favorite colors. This is a great way to customize and get creative with your Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies Recipe enough for anyone looking to add some magic and flavor to their fall festivities. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a Halloween party, or simply craving a cozy treat, these whoopie pies deliver big on taste and fun. Give them a try—you’ll be making these sweet, soft, and colorful delights all season long!