Apple Cider Whoopie Pies are soft and sweet treats that blend the flavors of fall with delicious apple cider. These cookies sandwich creamy filling, making them fun to eat!
Honestly, who can resist a dessert that tastes like autumn? I love serving these with a cup of hot cider. It’s a cozy treat that brightens any chilly day! 🍏🍂
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apple Cider: Fresh apple cider gives the whoopie pies a nice fruity flavor. If you can’t find fresh cider, you can use apple juice or a mix of water with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Spices: For extra warmth, the combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves is perfect. If you don’t have all the spices, just stick to cinnamon and ginger, or even use a store-bought pumpkin spice blend!
Cream Cheese: The filling is soft and creamy thanks to cream cheese. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt instead or try a dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan twist.
Butter: I like to use unsalted butter for more control over the sweetness. If you want to make it dairy-free, a good substitute is coconut oil or vegan butter.
What’s the Best Way to Ensure a Soft Whoopie Pie?
To get that soft and chewy texture, follow a few simple tips during baking:
- Don’t overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies.
- Proper baking time: Keep an eye on the cookies while they bake! They should spring back slightly when pressed and should not brown too much.
- Cool properly: Allow the pies to cool on a wire rack, so they don’t steam and become soggy.
Taking a little extra care in these steps will help your Apple Cider Whoopie Pies turn out perfectly soft every time!
Apple Cider Whoopie Pies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Whoopie Pie Batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup apple cider (preferably fresh or concentrate)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons apple cider (for flavor and to adjust consistency)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 20 minutes for prep and 12 minutes for baking. Once the pies are assembled, let them chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor. Altogether, you can have these tasty treats ready in around 1 hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to make clean-up a breeze!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. This ensures that everything will mix together nicely. Set this bowl aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3-4 minutes. This step helps to create a lighter texture for your whoopie pies!
4. Add Egg and Vanilla:
Next, beat in one large egg and the vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined. Yum!
5. Combine Everything Together:
Now it’s time to alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the apple cider to the wet mixture. Start with the flour mixture and end with it too — mixing just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
6. Scoop the Batter:
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded spoonfuls of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
7. Bake the Cookies:
Pop the baking sheets in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set and the tops spring back lightly when pressed.
8. Cool the Cookies:
After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare the Coating:
In a small shallow bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. This will give your whoopie pies a lovely sweet and spicy touch!
10. Coat the Cookies:
While the cookies are still warm (but not hot), press the tops gently into the cinnamon sugar mix to coat them lightly. This adds a delicious outer sweetness!
11. Make the Creamy Filling:
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing until everything is fluffy. Then mix in the vanilla and 1 tablespoon of apple cider, adjusting with more cider as necessary for a perfectly spreadable consistency.
12. Assemble Your Whoopie Pies:
Match your cookies in pairs based on size. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the creamy filling on the flat side of one cookie and place its partner on top, pressing gently together.
13. Chill (optional but recommended):
For the best flavor and texture, consider refrigerating the assembled whoopie pies for at least 30 minutes before serving. This step makes them even more delightful!
Now you’re ready to enjoy your homemade Apple Cider Whoopie Pies! They are perfect for fall gatherings or just a cozy night in. Enjoy!
Can I Use Store-Bought Apple Cider?
Absolutely! Store-bought apple cider works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to pick a good quality cider for the best flavor in your whoopie pies.
What If I Don’t Have All The Spices?
No worries! If you’re missing some spices, just use what you have on hand. A basic combination of cinnamon and ginger will still give your pies a lovely flavor. You can also use a pre-mixed pumpkin spice blend!
Can I Make These Whoopie Pies Vegan?
Yes! To make vegan Apple Cider Whoopie Pies, substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and replace the cream cheese filling with a dairy-free cream cheese or a coconut cream mixture. For the egg, you can use a flax egg or applesauce as a binder.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover whoopie pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If they last that long! Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
