Decadent Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Buttercream: The Ultimate Fall Treat

Step into autumn with a truly irresistible dessert that captures the essence of the season: our exquisite Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Buttercream. These delightful treats are more than just a sweet indulgence; they’re a celebration of fall, perfect for cozy evenings, festive gatherings, or a special Halloween surprise. Imagine sinking your teeth into two incredibly moist, fluffy pumpkin cakes, rich with warm spices, perfectly complemented by a luxurious, smooth buttercream, generously flavored with pure maple syrup. It’s a taste sensation that delights both kids and adults, making it the quintessential fall dessert you’ll want to bake again and again. Easy to make and bursting with seasonal flavor, these homemade pumpkin whoopie pies are set to become a new family favorite.

Embrace the Flavors of Autumn: A Beloved & Reshared Favorite

What Exactly is a Whoopie Pie? A Culinary Delight Explained

If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying a whoopie pie, prepare for a truly delightful culinary discovery! These unique confections are a charming hybrid, ingeniously blending the best elements of a cookie, a cake, and a sandwich, all rolled into one irresistible “pie.” Originating from the Northeastern United States, particularly Maine and among the Amish communities of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, whoopie pies have a rich and fascinating history rooted in resourceful baking traditions. While their exact birthplace is debated, the joy they bring is universally acknowledged.

Unlike a traditional cookie, whoopie pies boast a soft, tender, and distinctly cake-like texture. They’re thicker and more pillowy than most cookies, making them incredibly satisfying to sink your teeth into. Each “pie” consists of two rounded, often domed, cake-like bases. While traditionally chocolate, our version celebrates autumn with bases infused with the vibrant flavors of pure pumpkin and a symphony of warm, aromatic spices. These soft cakes are then lovingly sandwiched together with a generous dollop of creamy, decadent filling – in this case, an ethereal maple buttercream that melts in your mouth.

Whoopie pies are perfectly portioned and easy to hold, making them ideal for picnics, lunchboxes, or simply enjoying with a warm beverage. They offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors: the soft, spiced cake against the smooth, sweet frosting. Some call them “gobs” or “BFOs” (Big Fat Oreos), but whatever you choose to call them, the undeniable truth is they are utterly DELICIOUS!

The Perfect Autumn Pairing: Why Pumpkin and Maple Shine Together

The combination of pumpkin and maple in these whoopie pies is a match made in autumn heaven, a pairing that evokes images of crisp air, changing leaves, and cozy gatherings. Pumpkin brings its signature earthy sweetness, incredible moisture, and a beautiful golden hue to the cake bases. When combined with a thoughtfully chosen blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, it infuses the cakes with the quintessential warmth and comfort of pumpkin spice – a flavor profile synonymous with the fall season.

This aromatic foundation sets the perfect stage for the star filling: a rich, incredibly smooth maple buttercream. Pure maple syrup, ideally a dark, robust variety, lends its distinctive, complex sweetness and delicate caramel notes to the frosting. This creates a filling that’s both indulgent and perfectly balanced, providing a wonderful counterpoint to the spiced pumpkin cakes. The natural sweetness of maple syrup complements the earthiness of pumpkin, creating a harmonious blend that feels both familiar and special. It’s this thoughtful and seasonal pairing that elevates these homemade pumpkin whoopie pies from a simple treat to a truly gourmet fall experience, making them an unforgettable addition to your autumn baking repertoire.

Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Crafting the perfect batch of pumpkin whoopie pies begins with understanding and selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that sought-after moist texture, balanced flavor profile, and irresistible creaminess. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need for both the delightful pumpkin cakes and the irresistible maple buttercream, along with a brief explanation of their purpose:

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Ingredients

• Cake Flour: This finely milled flour is essential for creating a tender, light, and airy crumb, giving the whoopie pies their signature cake-like texture that melts in your mouth.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: This powerful leavening duo works together to ensure your pumpkin cakes rise beautifully, resulting in a wonderfully fluffy and soft consistency.
• Salt: A small but mighty ingredient, salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and intensifying the rich spice notes in the pumpkin cakes, bringing all the flavors into harmony.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves: These are the heart and soul of fall flavor! This trio of warm spices creates that classic, comforting pumpkin pie aroma and taste that defines autumn baking.
• Light Brown Sugar: Beyond sweetness, light brown sugar adds a deeper, molasses-rich flavor and contributes significantly to the cakes’ moistness and tender chewiness.
• Canola Oil: This neutral-flavored oil provides moisture and a very tender crumb to the cakes without imparting any additional taste, allowing the natural pumpkin and spice flavors to truly shine.
• Pure Pumpkin: The star ingredient! Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar. Pure pumpkin provides natural sweetness, incredible moisture, and that unmistakable, authentic pumpkin flavor.
• Eggs: Large eggs act as binders, helping to create structure and add richness to the cake batter, contributing to the overall texture and stability of the whoopie pies.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a touch of aromatic sweetness and depth to the pumpkin cakes.

Maple Buttercream Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: The foundational element of any good buttercream, unsalted butter provides rich flavor and a wonderfully creamy texture. It’s crucial that it’s at true room temperature for optimal whipping.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, this ingredient is key to creating a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth frosting texture. Sifting it before use is essential to prevent any lumps.
• Salt: Just a tiny pinch of salt elevates the sweetness of the sugar and maple, providing a crucial balance to the rich frosting.
• Maple Syrup: For the best and most authentic flavor, use pure maple syrup. This natural sweetener infuses the buttercream with its distinct, warm, and delightfully sweet notes, creating the signature maple flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Added a tablespoon at a time, heavy cream contributes richness and helps achieve the perfect creamy, luscious, and spreadable consistency for your frosting.

Expert Tips for Baking Perfect Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Every Time

Achieving whoopie pie perfection is within your reach with a few key baking insights. These expert tips will help ensure your pumpkin cakes are perfectly moist, your maple buttercream is wonderfully creamy, and your finished whoopie pies are nothing short of spectacular. Follow these guidelines for a seamless and successful baking experience:

• Do Not Overbake the Pumpkin Cakes: This is arguably the most crucial tip for moist whoopie pies. Keep a very close eye on them as they bake. The cakes should be just springy to the touch when gently pressed in the center. Begin checking at 15 minutes. Overbaking, even by a minute or two, can lead to dry whoopie pie cakes. When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of slightly underbaked, as they will continue to set as they cool.
• Sift Your Confectioners’ Sugar: For the smoothest, most luxurious maple buttercream imaginable, always take the extra minute to sift your confectioners’ sugar. This simple step eliminates any pesky lumps, ensuring a silky, airy texture that truly melts in your mouth and prevents a grainy frosting.
• Ensure Room Temperature Butter and Eggs: For both the pumpkin cakes and especially the buttercream, make sure your unsalted butter and eggs are at true room temperature. This allows the butter to cream properly with the sugar, creating an airy and emulsified frosting, and helps the cake batter mix more uniformly, leading to a better texture.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients for the pumpkin cakes, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cakes instead of the desired tender, pillowy texture.
• Chill the Buttercream for Optimal Spreading: After preparing your maple buttercream, a brief chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes can work wonders. This slight firming makes it significantly easier to spread or pipe onto the cooled pumpkin cakes, giving you neat, professional-looking whoopie pies with beautiful, defined edges.
• Cool Cakes Completely: Patience is a virtue when it comes to whoopie pies! It’s absolutely essential that your pumpkin cakes are completely cooled before you attempt to frost and sandwich them. Warm cakes will quickly melt the delicate buttercream, leading to a runny, messy situation rather than perfectly assembled treats.
• Use the Right Tools for Uniformity: For whoopie pie cakes that are consistently sized and bake evenly, an ice cream scoop (a 2-inch diameter scoop works perfectly for this recipe) is your best friend. This ensures each whoopie pie will be uniform and aesthetically pleasing.
• Line Your Baking Sheet: For non-stick baking and easy removal of your delicate pumpkin cakes, a Silpat silicone baking mat or high-quality parchment paper is highly recommended. This prevents sticking and ensures your cakes maintain their shape.
• Proper Storage: These delightful whoopie pies can be wrapped individually in plastic wrap to maintain their freshness and kept at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, they can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week or frozen for up to a month. Thaw frozen whoopie pies at room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Embrace the Joy of Homemade Fall Desserts

There’s something incredibly satisfying and truly magical about baking homemade treats, especially during the vibrant and cozy fall season. These pumpkin whoopie pies with their rich, velvety maple buttercream are not just a feast for the taste buds but also a joyous experience to create. The process is straightforward, yielding a stunning, hand-held dessert that is guaranteed to impress everyone who tries them. From the moment the autumnal spices fill your kitchen to that first decadent bite, these whoopie pies promise to be a highlight of your fall celebrations.

Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations

These delightful whoopie pies are fantastic on their own, perhaps enjoyed with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee, a comforting mug of hot apple cider, or a classic glass of cold milk. They also make wonderful, thoughtful edible gifts for friends, neighbors, and family during the holiday season. Package them in decorative boxes or bags for a truly homemade touch.

For a creative twist, consider experimenting with additional spices in the pumpkin cakes, such as a pinch of allspice or nutmeg for an even deeper spice profile. If you’re baking for an adult audience, a tiny dash of bourbon or rum can be added to the maple buttercream for a sophisticated, warming flavor. For an extra touch of decadence, a light drizzle of melted white chocolate or a sprinkle of toasted pecans over the finished whoopie pies would be exquisite. And, if you find yourself with any extra maple buttercream – a delightful dilemma! – don’t let it go to waste. It’s absolutely perfect for dipping crisp gingersnap cookies, spreading on warm toast, or even filling crepes for a luxurious breakfast treat.

More Delicious Fall Dessert Recipes to Enjoy

If you’ve fallen in love with these autumnal whoopie pies and are eager to explore more seasonal baking, you’re in for a treat! The fall season offers an abundance of incredible flavors, and we have a variety of other delightful dessert recipes that perfectly capture the essence of autumn. Expand your baking repertoire with these irresistible creations:

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Buttercream

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 12 whoopie pies

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These Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Buttercream are a decadent little Halloween treat for kids and adults alike!

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 17 mins

Total Time: 47 mins

Ingredients

Pumpkin Cakes

• 3 cups cake flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup canola oil
• 2 15-oz. cans pure pumpkin
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Maple Buttercream

• 1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 Tbps. heavy cream

Instructions

Pumpkin Cakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well combined.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, canola oil, pure pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the flour mixture all at once to the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

4. Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop, drop mounds of batter onto the prepared tray, spacing them approximately two inches apart. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the cakes are just springy to the touch when gently pressed. Remove the tray from the oven and transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining batter. Ensure pumpkin cakes are totally cool before assembling with the maple buttercream.

Maple Buttercream

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, sifted confectioners’ sugar, and salt. Beat on low speed until just blended, about one minute. Add the pure maple syrup and heavy cream, starting with one tablespoon of the heavy cream. Increase the speed to medium and continue to beat for 4 minutes until the buttercream is smooth, creamy, and fluffy. Add more heavy cream if needed to achieve your desired spreading consistency (typically, two tablespoons are sufficient). For easier handling, you may refrigerate the buttercream for 20-30 minutes before frosting the pumpkin cakes.

2. Once the pumpkin cakes are completely cooled, spread a generous amount of maple buttercream onto the flat side of one pumpkin cake. Top with the flat side of another pumpkin cake to create a sandwich. Gently press them together. Repeat this process until all 12 whoopie pies are assembled. If you happen to have any extra icing, it’s absolutely perfect for dipping gingersnap cookies!

Notes

Bake the pumpkin cakes just until they feel springy when touched. Check them at 15 minutes to prevent overbaking, which can lead to dry whoopie pies.

Chilling the maple buttercream for 20-30 minutes helps it firm up slightly, making it much easier to spread or pipe neatly onto the cooled cakes before sandwiching.

These delicious whoopie pies can be individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to three days. For longer freshness, they can be refrigerated.

For consistent results and easy removal, I recommend lining your baking sheet with a Silpat silicone mat or parchment paper.

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcal |
Carbohydrates: 89g |
Protein: 5g |
Fat: 12g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Cholesterol: 55mg |
Sodium: 317mg |
Potassium: 160mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 64g |
Vitamin A: 355IU |
Calcium: 75mg |
Iron: 0.8mg

Keyword: whoopie pies, pumpkin whoopie pies

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert, Snack

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share!If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow @thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or use the hashtag #thebeachhousekitchen!