Gingerbread Whoopie Pies Recipe

Introduction

Gingerbread whoopie pies are a delightful holiday treat with soft, spiced cookies sandwiching a creamy cinnamon frosting. These delicious treats blend warm spices and rich molasses for a cozy, festive dessert perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

• ½ cup neutral oil
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup molasses
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
• 3 tablespoons salted butter (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth. Add molasses, egg, vanilla, and buttermilk, then blend until fully combined.
2. Step 2: Gradually add the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Mix gently to combine, being careful not to overmix. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
3. Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Step 4: Scoop dough into 1½ tablespoon-sized balls and place them spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Step 5: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are set. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Step 6: For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and salted butter together until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla, powdered sugar, and cinnamon, mixing until smooth.
7. Step 7: To assemble, spread 1½ tablespoons of frosting on the bottom of one cookie and sandwich it with another cookie on top. Repeat with remaining cookies and frosting.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour.
• Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and develops the flavors better.
• Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dough for a subtle spicy kick.
• If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can replace half the cream cheese with mascarpone.

Storage

Store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for the best texture. You can freeze the cookies and frosting separately for up to 2 months and assemble when ready to enjoy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, chilling the dough for at least 2 hours is recommended and you can keep it refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I substitute buttermilk in this recipe?

If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per ¼ cup and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies Recipe

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5 from 68 reviews

These Gingerbread Whoopie Pies are soft, spiced cookies sandwiched with a creamy cinnamon-vanilla cream cheese frosting, perfect for the holiday season or any cozy occasion. The combination of warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice in the cookie pairs beautifully with the sweet, smooth frosting for a delightful treat.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 32 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 18–20 whoopie pies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Ingredients

• ½ cup neutral oil
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup molasses
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon allspice

Frosting Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
• 3 tablespoons salted butter (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the neutral oil with both granulated and brown sugars. Mix them thoroughly until well blended. Then add molasses, the room-temperature egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently to avoid overmixing. Once combined, cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the dough firm up.
3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cookies and prevent sticking.
4. Shape Cookie Dough: Using a scoop or tablespoon, portion out approximately 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll it into balls. Place these evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets, allowing room for slight spreading while baking.
5. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until they are set and slightly firm to the touch but not hard. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before assembling the whoopie pies.
6. Make the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and salted butter until creamy and smooth. Add the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and ground cinnamon, and continue to mix until the frosting is light and fluffy.
7. Assemble Whoopie Pies: Take one cooled cookie and scoop approximately 1½ tablespoons of frosting onto its flat side. Sandwich it with another cookie by gently pressing them together. Repeat with the remaining cookies and frosting.

Notes

• Chilling the dough for at least 2 hours helps develop the flavors and ensures the cookies don’t spread too much during baking.
• Make sure all cold ingredients like egg, buttermilk, cream cheese, and butter are brought to room temperature for better mixing and texture.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
• For an extra festive touch, dust the finished whoopie pies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate.
• Store the assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Gingerbread, Whoopie Pies, Holiday Cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting, Spiced Cookies