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Magical Autumn Spice Whoopie Pies

Soft, cakey spiced cookies made with reduced apple cider, filled with a fluffy vanilla buttercream. The ultimate handheld fall dessert.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 58 minutes
Servings: 12 whoopie pies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Spiced Apple Cider Cookies
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp cloves optional
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.75 cup apple cider reduced to 1/2 cup
Vanilla Bean Cream Filling
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

  1. Reduce 3/4 cup apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until it measures 1/2 cup. Let cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 2-3 mins. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  5. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients alternately with reduced cider, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Scoop 1.5-tbsp mounds of batter onto sheets, 2 inches apart. Flatten tops slightly if desired.
  7. Bake 11-13 mins until set and springy. Cool 5 mins on sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For filling, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then vanilla and salt. Beat 2-3 mins until fluffy. Add cream until spreadable.
  9. Match cooled cookies in pairs. Pipe or spread filling on flat side of one cookie and sandwich with its partner.

Notes

Store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let come to room temperature for 15 mins before serving for best texture. Unfilled cookies freeze well for up to 2 months.