Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
For this sweet treat, I combine pumpkin spiced cake with cream cheese. To me, whoopie pies are really just cake sandwiches. Unlike classic layer cakes, they’re wonderfully portable and you can eat them without a fork or spoon.
Pumpkin whoopie Pies with CREAM Cheese filling
gluten-free ≈ dairy-free
Makes 12
Prep Time 35 minutes (plus resting)
BAKE Time 10 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
6 ounces (¾ cup) non-hydrogenated shortening 1½ sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, ½ cup melted, ¼ cup at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend or store-bought
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
1 2/3 cups flour
½ cup (4 ounces) dairy-free cream cheese, chilled
1 cup confectioners' sugar
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted shortening and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and ¾ teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.
3. Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and ½ teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
5. Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.
QUICK RECIPE SWAPS
My Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour → your favorite store-bought brand
non-hydrogenated shortening → 1½ sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, ½ stick softened
granulated sugar → granulated maple sugar
dairy-free cream cheese → regular cream cheese
