Pumpkin-Maple Whoopie Pies and Maine Part 2
Did you guys know that Whoopie Pies are the official state dessert of Maine? And that the largest whoopie pie EVER was created earlier this year (in Maine,) weighing over 1000 lbs? Well I didn’t either until I spent the last month in Maine. See I’ve been noticing Whoopie Pies everywhere and it finally clicked- one visit to Wikipedia later and I knew what was what.
Lucky for me, I love Whoopie Pies AND I’d already planned to share this recipe with you. I figured nothing could be more perfect. Acctually- that’s only partially true. The official type of Maine Whoopie Pies are made with a marshmallow fluff filling which isn’t my favorite. I find it a little sticky and fake tasting. I much prefer these pumpkin ones with it’s rich cream cheese filling. I only tried them a few times, and sorry Maine, I still prefer the ones I made in my lil’ kitchen.
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Today I am heading back to New York and I can’t wait. I had a good time in Maine but you have no idea how excited I am for my bed, my kitchen, my sisters, my boyfriend, my friends, my DVR and my city. I am all caught up on posts though so this week I am going to be baking up a STORM! Anyone in the New York area want to take some treats off my hands? (For real.) I will have something new for you on Wednesday but until then, here’s is my 5th Pumpkin Recipe so far this season (and I have at least one more coming… what can I say? it is my favorite thing.)
Pumpkin-Maple Whoopie Pies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tbsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 cup canola oil
- 3 cups chilled pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- For the maple cream cheese filling:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3 tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- To make the cookie portion, preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and spices. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk sugars and oil together. Add the pumpkin puree and whisk to combine thoroughly. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk until combined. Sprinkle the flour mixture over the pumpkin mixture and whisk until completely combined.
- Use a small ice cream scoop with a release mechanism to drop a heaping tablespoon of dough onto the baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are just starting to crack on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cookie comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
- To make the filling, in a large bowl use an electric mixture and beat the butter until smooth with no visible lumps. Add the cream cheese and beat until combined. Add the powdered sugar, maple syrup and vanilla and beat until smooth. Be careful not to overbeat the filling or it will lose structure.
- To assemble, turn half of the cooled cookies upside down. Pipe filling onto the flat side of the overturned cookies. Place another cookie, flat side down, on top of the filling. Press down slightly so that the filling spreads to the edges of the cookie. Repeat until all the cookies are used. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Source: Annie’s Eats Via Culinary Concoctions of Peabody
Part of my family is in Maine, and it is such a compliment that they enjoy the ones I make in my little Ohio kitchen more. I think it’s the extra love that goes into each one! And this is the best pumpkin whoopie recipe!
These look very tasty. I think the cream instead of marshmallow is bound to taste better (not much of a mallow fan myself).
wow lotsa whoopies with 2 cans of pumpkin puree…yum!
These sounds awesome. My husband would love them! Thanks for sharing.
Love the idea of pumpkin whoopie pies! I am not a huge fan of the traditional either, but have never tried a different variety.
Glad you had fun in Maine – enjoy getting back into your own home!
I did not know that, how perfect!
These look amazing!!! It’s time to get our Halloween on!
I have to admit that the last whoopie pie I had came from a box. Unacceptable, I know! So, I was happy to find this post because it restored my belief in the possible-deliciousness of a home made whoopie pie, the cream cheese filling looks like it will be amazing, so this is perfect for me.
Going to try to make these this week :)
Thanks for the cookie recipe, I’ve been looking for one that looks this good and fluffy!
I am from Maine and I LOVE whoopie pies. I am so intrigued with the maple cream cheese frosting. Yummy!
I love the combo of pumpkin and maple! These look so good. I can totally relate to your getting back home. There is nothing like your own bed and getting back to your kitchen! Have fun :)
These sound oh so good! I’ve never made whoopie pies, but I’m going to start now! Pumpkin and maple are the perfect combination, great recipe :)
You look beautiful as well as your family..this recipe is amazing!!! I really love this recipe, and didn’t know about whoopie pies being Maine’s official state dessert. Great post, Audra! Thanks for sharing and have a fantastic week!
These came out so perfect! I cannot wait to try these out… especially that filling!
I love whoopies! Your Maine photos look like you had a great time.
Interesting fact concerning Maine-I wonder how many people it took to eat that huge whoopie pie! Glad you enjoyed your stay in Maine.
I have seen a lot of flatter whoopie pies, but the cake part of yours seems to be so big and fluffy-yum! They are tempting as well as inspiring. Great post!
I really need to hop on the whoopie train. Never tried them!
Gorgeous!
would this taste terribly bad with dulce de leche? … mmm i don’t like cream cheese… what in the world shall i use…
OhMaGosh. Those whoopie pies are amazing. I want some of the drippy maple cream cheese filling right now…mmmmm…
Being from Maine I’m shocked to hear that our official recipe includes marshmallow frosting…yuck! I’ve never made them with marshmallow nor do any of my family or friends. Shortening, confectioners sugar, vanilla and egg whites is the standard filling in very northern, non-coastal neck of the woods.
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