daily meal

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

I recently joined a new monthly event called the Improv Challenge, where there are two ingredients given, and you must create a recipe using those two ingredients.  Apparently this event had been around for a little while, but for some unknown reason, it stopped.  Thankfully, Kristin of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker has decided to continue on the tradition of the Improv Challenge, and this month, the two ingredients were pumpkin and cream cheese!







Once I saw the two ingredients, I knew exactly what I was going to make - Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with a cream cheese filling! As you all know, I am in love with anything pumpkin, so this challenge was a great excuse to make another pumpkin dessert to fill up on! 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

There are two different fillings, one with cream cheese and one with marshmallow cream.  Both are equally delicious so I am sharing both with you! 

Ingredients:
-3 cups flour
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-2 tablespoons cinnamon
-1 tablespoon ground ginger
-1 tablespoon ground cloves
-1/2 tablespoon ground nutmeg
-2 cups light brown sugar
-1 cup vegetable oil
-3 cups pumpkin puree, chilled
-2 large eggs
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling:
-1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
-1 12 oz container cream cheese, softened
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
-2 to 3 cups confectionary sugar
Optional: Add 1 teaspoon maple extract for even more of a fall flavor

Marshmallow Cream Filling:
-1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
-1 7oz jar Marshmallow cream
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
-2 to 3 cups confectionary sugar
-Milk as needed to make more spreadable
Optional: Add 1 teaspoon maple extract and a pinch of ginger

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a cookie sheet or whoopie pie pan if you have one and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and oil until well combined. Whisk in the pumpkin puree.  Add the eggs and vanilla until combined. Slowly mix in the flour mixture until all ingredients are well mixed. 

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop mounds of batter on a cookie sheet (or fill cavities of your whoopie pie pan).  Bake for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the pies comes out clean.  Allow to cool completely. 

Meanwhile, prepare the filling of your choice.  Mix together the butter, cream cheese (or marshmallow), vanilla (or maple extract), and ginger (if using).  Slowly stir in the confectionary sugar a little at a time until it reaches a more firm, yet spreadable consistency.  For the marshmallow filling you may need to add a tablespoon of milk to make it easier to work with. 

To fill the pies, pipe a dollop of filling on the flat side of the pie and sandwich with another pie.  Continue with all remaining pies. 



Pour a large class of milk, sink your teeth in, and enjoy! 

Pin It

31 comments:

  1. Marshmallow cream frosting is such a great idea here! I need to get on that. I wonder if you can "brulee" it to make it like s'mores?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! These look so yummy :) I look forward to doing the improv challenge soon (this month I'm defending my PhD and going slightly crazy with other things...)!
    I've never had a whoopie pie in my life - flavor recommendations for my first ever attempt? :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been meaning to try making whoopie pies for forever, yours look absolutely fantastic! Yum! Love the marshmallow!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello as a fellow Improv Challenger! My son LOVES whoopie pies! What a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  5. these look so good!! I love whoopie pies and I've been wanting to try pumpkin ones-saved this recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello fellow Improv blogger. These whoppie pies look so delicious. Cannot wait to try this recipe. Come visit us. We have a wonderful pumpkin velvet cake.

    ReplyDelete
  7. One of the best parts about being from Maine is that they recently voted to decide whether or not the whoopie pie would become the official state dessert!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your whoopie pies look delish! Can't wait to try this recipe.

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would so eat these for breakfast AND dessert .. who am I kidding? I'd eat them anytime ...yum!

    ReplyDelete
  10. i almost made this. i have been cooking whoopie pies recently and am obsessed. yours look so good

    ReplyDelete
  11. These look absolutely gorgeous! I love anything with pumpkin as well, especially with cream cheese filling :) lovely recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi! I'm a fellow Challenge Participant and wanted to let you know that I added your recipe to my Fun Friday Finds Improv Edition. I hope you can stop by.
    www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I feel silly, but I have never had a whoopie pie in my life! I would love to try these - they look so inviting. Thanks for sharing the recipe :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the idea of the maple flavoring in the filling. Really great Improv choice!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome! I love that you were instantly inspired...I'd have started at the ingredients and been like 'ummmmmmmmm....'

    These look amazingly delicious! Buzzed :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi! These look great, I have always wanted to make a Whoopie Pie and just havent, but this flavor combo sounds delish! I and a new follower of yours and participating in the Improv too, hope you will stop by! I have my first giveaway going on now too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've been meaning to make pumpkin whoopie pies for ages...yours look AMAZING! Perfect! Congrats on the Top 9 today, too~

    ReplyDelete
  18. I never made those before in pumpkin version.Great recipe;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Another simple and amazing dish. I love the photo of the whoopie that's half-eaten. Brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love all things "whoopie"!! What a great looking plate of whoopie pies! I love the 2 fillings. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have never made whoopie pies, but your post here does intrigue. Mainly because of the wonderful rise height of your cakes. Also, great choice of fillings here. Would love to bite into one of these-delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Those are some pumpkin beauties!! I bet they were delicious! I'm pinning these :)

    http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/11/pumpkin-spice-cream-cheese-improv.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love pumpkin and cream cheese--these are just too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  24. These are amazing and seasonally perfect.My family would love them. I love to visit here and I never leave empty handed. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  25. I made pumpkin whoopies last year and I had to give them all away. Quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Just made your pumpkin whoopies, they are amazing. This was the first time ever I made whoopies and I love the spongy consistency. I made another type of filling with whipped cream, mascarpone cheese and maple syrup. We decided though that the whoopies did not need any filling as they are so good and we eat them just as little spongy cookies. The recipe is huge, like cooking for an orphanage, so we will be enjoying them for a while. Thank you for a great recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm so glad you enjoyed them! The recipe definitely can make a lot! Believe it or not the recipe I posted I actually cut in half! At least you'll have plenty to eat over the holidays! :)

    ReplyDelete