Description
These Spooky and Delicious Whoopie Pies feature soft, cake-like chocolate cookies sandwiched with fluffy, colorful cream filling in festive orange and purple hues. Perfect for Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, or family baking nights, these chewy, sweet treats are decorated with fun sprinkles and candy eyes to add a spooky touch.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 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
For the Filling:
- 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
Optional Decorations:
- Halloween sprinkles
- Candy eyes
- Black or orange sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of leavening and cocoa throughout the batter.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating well to fully incorporate them into the batter.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture alternating with the buttermilk to the wet ingredients. Mix until the batter is smooth and combined, but be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Scoop Batter: Using a tablespoon, drop rounded spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. They are done when they spring back lightly when pressed. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Filling: In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar while continuing to beat, then add vanilla extract and 2 to 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Beat until the filling becomes light and fluffy. Separate the mixture and tint portions with orange and purple gel food coloring as desired.
- Assemble: Pipe or spread the colored filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Sandwich with another cookie on top, gently pressing together.
- Decorate: For a festive appearance, roll the edges of the filling in Halloween sprinkles or sanding sugar, and add candy eyes to the top of the whoopie pies for a spooky effect.
Notes
- Use buttermilk for soft, moist cookies that stay tender.
- Do not overbake; the cookies should remain soft and springy.
- Chill the assembled whoopie pies briefly to help the filling set and prevent oozing.
- If the filling is too thin, add more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
