d.i.y.: whoopie pies

As in, “do it yourself”.

As in, why have I never attempted making the foods that I love to eat the most?

I have had so much fun sharing my most beloved, tried-and-true recipes here with you. And it goes without saying that there’s a huge comfort zone in working with recipes that you’ve referred to time and time again.

But I’m ready to step it up a bit. You know, stretch my culinary muscles.

In looking back at some of my older posts I noticed that there were a few recipes for some of my favorite foods that I had never made before writing this blog. Doughnuts. Fruit roll-ups. Granola. And I thought, why not continue with this theme?

I mentioned in my blogiversary post that I would be adding some new features. This is one of them.

This “D.I.Y.” series will certainly be a very personal one – I hope you enjoy the journey, even if you don’t always care for the food. I’ll be tackling some traditional choices (like lobster rolls and English muffins), and some that are a little more “out there” (sprinkles? Lara bars?). And I promise to share it all – the failures as well as the successes.

First up? Whoopie pies.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies l sherisilver.com

Remember the photo at the very end of my One Girl Cookies post?

I love a good cupcake, cookie, or slice of pie as much as the next girl. But I LOVE whoopie pies. The soft cake. The cream cheese-y filling. Love, love love.

So when I finally got my hands on the One Girl Cookies cookbook I knew which recipe  would be my first (official) “D.I.Y.”.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies l sherisilver.com

And I’m  happy to report that it was definitely a success!

I’m curious – do you ever challenge yourself in the kitchen? How so? Share it here!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies l sherisilver.com

 

 

 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Spice Filling
adapted from One Girl Cookies

Cookies:
3 c. flour (14 ¾ oz.)
2 t. ginger
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree, chilled
2 c packed light brown sugar (15 oz.)
1 c. canola oil
2 eggs
2 T. dark molasses

Maple Spice Filling:
4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
5 T. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 T. maple syrup
1/8 t. cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
1/8 t. salt
3 c. confectioner’s sugar (1 lb.), more if needed

Make the cookies:
Preheat the oven to 350. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a mixer bowl beat the pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, eggs and molasses for 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix till incorporated.

Using a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip (I used an Ateco #5 tip, about ½” in diameter), pipe 2” diameter circles on the baking sheets, leaving about 1 1/2 “ between them. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cookies are a deep orange color and spring back when touched (keep the baking sheets with the unbaked cookies in the fridge).

Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the pans.

Make the filling:
In a mixer bowl combine the cream cheese and butter – beat till light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon, cloves and salt and mix till incorporated.

With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the confectioner’s sugar and beat for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. If the filling is too soft to hold its shape, add more confectioner’s sugar, 1 T. at a time, until you reach the desired consistency (filling can be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface, for up to 5 days. Allow to soften at room temperature before using).

Assemble the whoopie pies:
Turn half the cooled cookies over so that the flat sides are facing up. Using the same tip you used to pipe out the cookies, pipe a small dollop of the filling onto each of the bottoms. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing down slightly so that the filling spreads to the edges.  Chill the pies for about 30 minutes.

Whoopie pies will keep for up to 3 days, chilled and covered in plastic wrap.

(print this recipe)


This delicious recipe brought to you by Sheri Silver
https://sherisilver.com/2012/03/02/d-i-y-whoopie-pies/

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12 Comments

  1. Jennifer Cullen on March 2, 2012 at 7:22 am

    Oooh, I think I’m going to like this new DIY series.

    • sheri silver on March 2, 2012 at 9:40 am

      I hope so – I’m a little nervous!!! 😉

  2. Meri on March 2, 2012 at 7:44 am

    Sheri those look amazing!!!

    • sheri silver on March 2, 2012 at 9:40 am

      Thanks Meredith! 🙂

  3. Leslie on March 2, 2012 at 8:29 am

    They look yummy! I’ve never actually heard the term “whoopie pies” but my daughter made something very similar over Christmas break.

    I don’t really challenge myself in the kitchen these days. It’s enough of a challenge just to keep everyone fed with the most basic of fare. I don’t typically use recipes, even. The last “challenging” thing I can recall making was a buche de noel and that was ten years ago! Maybe when some of these kids move out . . .

    • sheri silver on March 2, 2012 at 9:40 am

      I wish I weren’t such a slave to recipes – I feel daring when I don’t measure off a teaspoon of salt and just “eyeball it”!

  4. Lisa Sperling on March 2, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Sheri, I love your new series! I’m a little shy when it comes to trying new recipes, but I really want to start challenging myself more. Thanks for sharing these wonderful treats of yumminess with us!

    • sheri silver on March 2, 2012 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you so much! Let’s be in this together!! 🙂

  5. Lindsey Johnson (Cafe Johnsonia) on March 3, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    Those look scrumptious! I have never had or made whoopie pies. Can you believe that?! My kids would love it if I made some for them.

    It’s fun to try out new things, so maybe I’ll have to give it a go. 🙂

    • sheri silver on March 4, 2012 at 11:11 am

      Thanks! It was my first time making them and it was super easy. Let me know if you make them!! 🙂

  6. Melanie on March 5, 2012 at 8:58 am

    These look awesome. You’re such a great photographer!

    • sheri silver on March 5, 2012 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks Melanie – that means the WORLD to me, coming from you! 🙂

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Hi! I'm Sheri!

Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!