Table of Contents
Introduction
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are the ultimate fall dessert—two soft, spiced pumpkin cookies sandwiched around a creamy filling. They’re tender, sweet, and bursting with autumn flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. While traditional whoopie pies hail from New England, this pumpkin twist makes them perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee on a chilly day. In this article, I’ll share the story of how these became a family favorite, the simple ingredients you’ll need, and tips for baking and serving them to perfection.
The Story Behind Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
A Fall Tradition in Our Kitchen
Pumpkin always finds its way into my kitchen once the leaves begin to turn. It’s in breads, muffins, cheesecakes—and, of course, whoopie pies. The first time I made Pumpkin Whoopie Pies was one October when Emily asked for “cookies with frosting in the middle.” Marek, who loves pumpkin anything, quickly declared them his new favorite, while my mom Elizabeth said they reminded her of the old-fashioned sandwich cakes she grew up with. Since then, they’ve become a cozy tradition in our family—something we bake together every year while pumpkins sit on the counter waiting to be carved.
Why They’re Special
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies capture everything we love about fall in each bite. The pumpkin cookies are soft and cake-like, with just enough spice to feel comforting but not overwhelming. The creamy filling—usually a sweet cream cheese frosting—adds richness and balances the spiced pumpkin flavor perfectly. They’re easy to make in big batches, travel well, and always look impressive on a dessert table. Whether you decorate them with festive sprinkles, drizzle them with caramel, or keep them classic, these whoopie pies deliver the cozy flavors of fall in a handheld treat that everyone will love.
Ingredients and Preparation
The Cookie Base
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies start with soft, cake-like cookies that form the “bread” of the sandwich. They’re spiced just right with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, giving them that unmistakable fall flavor. The secret to their tenderness is the pumpkin puree, which keeps the cookies moist while adding natural sweetness.
Ingredient List for Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger mix)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the brown sugar and oil until smooth, then add pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop mounds of batter (about 2 tablespoons each) onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cookies are set and spring back lightly when touched. Let cool completely before filling.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy. To assemble, spread or pipe the filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then sandwich with another. Chill for 30 minutes to set before serving.
Flavor, Variations, and Creative Twists
The Classic Flavor Combo
The magic of Pumpkin Whoopie Pies comes from the balance of spiced pumpkin and creamy filling. The cookies are tender and full of warm autumn spices, while the cream cheese frosting adds a tangy sweetness that ties everything together. It’s a flavor profile that feels cozy and nostalgic, perfect for chilly afternoons and festive gatherings.
Fun Flavor Variations
One of the best parts of this recipe is how easily it adapts. For a sweeter twist, fold mini chocolate chips into the cookie batter before baking. If you love caramel, drizzle salted caramel sauce over the assembled pies or mix a spoonful into the filling for a richer taste. For an extra crunch, roll the edges of the pies in chopped pecans, walnuts, or even toffee bits after sandwiching the cookies together. Kids also love when the edges are rolled in colorful fall sprinkles—it makes them look festive and playful.
Creative Twists for the Holidays
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are versatile enough to fit any fall celebration. For Halloween, pipe little jack-o’-lantern faces onto the tops using melted chocolate or black icing. At Thanksgiving, serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or dusting of cinnamon sugar for an elegant finish. You can even play with the filling flavors—try maple cream cheese, cinnamon buttercream, or even marshmallow fluff for a s’mores-inspired version. For those who enjoy savory-sweet desserts, a hint of sea salt sprinkled on the filling adds a sophisticated edge.
With so many variations, these pies never get boring. Whether you keep them classic or dress them up with fun flavors, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are the kind of dessert that adapts beautifully to every occasion while always staying true to that comforting fall essence.
Serving, Storing, and Party Tips
Serving Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are as fun to serve as they are to eat. For casual family gatherings, stack them on a rustic wooden board or platter and dust lightly with powdered sugar for a simple, cozy presentation. For parties, line them up on a tiered dessert stand alongside other fall favorites like pumpkin cheesecake bars or caramel apple slices—it makes a showstopping autumn display. If you’re preparing them for kids, you can individually wrap each pie in parchment or clear treat bags tied with festive ribbons, turning them into ready-to-go party favors. They’re just the right size for little hands and make an easy grab-and-go dessert for Halloween or school events.
Storing for Freshness
These pies are best enjoyed within 2–3 days, but proper storage will keep them soft and delicious. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, layering parchment paper between each row to prevent sticking. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for the best texture. If you want to plan ahead, you can bake the cookies in advance and freeze them (without filling) for up to 2 months. Just thaw, prepare the filling, and assemble when ready to serve.
Tips for Entertaining
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are perfect for entertaining because they feel special without requiring hours of work. To make them extra festive, set up a “whoopie pie bar” where guests can fill their own cookies with different frosting flavors—like vanilla buttercream, maple cream cheese, or marshmallow fluff. For a fun twist, offer toppings like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or sprinkles so each guest can roll the edges of their pie in their favorite coating. This interactive idea turns dessert into both an activity and a delicious memory.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies: Soft, Spiced, and Creamy Fall Treats
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 12 whoopie pies 1x
Description
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are soft, spiced pumpkin cookies sandwiched around a rich cream cheese filling. Cozy, festive, and perfect for fall gatherings, Halloween, or Thanksgiving dessert tables.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and oil until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla; mix until combined.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- Drop 2-tablespoon mounds of batter onto baking sheets, spacing apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until cookies spring back lightly to the touch. Cool completely.
- Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until fluffy.
- Pipe or spread filling onto flat side of one cookie; top with another. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Let sit at room temperature before serving. Cookies can be frozen without filling for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 whoopie pie
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?
Yes! Just make sure it’s well-cooked and blended until smooth. If it’s watery, strain it through cheesecloth to avoid thinning the batter.
Do Pumpkin Whoopie Pies need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Because of the cream cheese filling, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Let them sit out for a few minutes before serving so they’re soft and creamy.
Can I freeze Pumpkin Whoopie Pies?
Absolutely. Freeze the cookies and filling separately, or freeze the assembled pies tightly wrapped. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
How do I keep the pies from spreading too much when baking?
Make sure your batter is thick enough. If it feels too runny, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before scooping onto the baking sheets—this helps the cookies hold their shape.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are the ultimate fall comfort dessert—soft, spiced pumpkin cookies paired with creamy, tangy filling in every bite. They’re festive enough for holidays, fun enough for kids, and elegant enough for a dessert table centerpiece. With their versatility, you can keep them classic, experiment with flavors like maple or chocolate, or dress them up with sprinkles and caramel drizzle. Whether you serve them at a Halloween party, add them to a Thanksgiving spread, or bake them on a cozy weekend afternoon, these pies deliver all the flavors of fall in a handheld treat. Once you try them, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are sure to become a yearly tradition in your kitchen.
👉 I hope you loved baking up these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies—soft, spiced pumpkin cookies sandwiched with creamy filling that make the perfect fall treat. They’re cozy, festive, and just right for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any crisp autumn evening.
If you want to keep the fall dessert train going, try our French Strawberry Tart for a fruity twist, or bite into our creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bites for a smaller sweet indulgence. For an easy make-ahead option, don’t miss our No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars.
Looking for more pumpkin and cozy flavors? SANTMD’s Pecan Pie Cobbler is the perfect companion to whoopie pies, or try their ultra-creamy No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake for a refreshing contrast.
And if you’re after something unique, DanaRecipes has plenty of fun twists like these indulgent Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies or their fruity Mini No-Bake Peach Cheesecakes.
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