Pumpkin Spice Monster Whoopie Pies (Print Version)

Spiced pumpkin cookies with creamy filling and monster decorations. A festive fall treat for gatherings or parties.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pumpkin Cookies

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cream Cheese Filling

11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

16 - Assorted candy eyes
17 - Assorted food coloring gels (such as green, purple, orange)
18 - Mini chocolate chips
19 - Licorice strings
20 - Sprinkles
21 - Assorted decorative candies

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until evenly blended.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and packed light brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in the eggs, one at a time, into the creamed mixture. Add canned pumpkin purée and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop, place portions of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each mound approximately 2 inches apart.
07 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cookies are set and spring back when touched. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - While cookies cool, beat the softened butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until the filling is creamy and fluffy.
09 - If colored filling is desired, divide the mixture into separate bowls and blend in food coloring gels to achieve preferred shades.
10 - Spread or pipe a generous layer of filling onto the flat side of half the cooled cookies. Top with remaining cookies to form sandwiches.
11 - Decorate sandwiched cookies with candy eyes, chocolate chips, licorice, and sprinkles to create playful monster faces, using a little filling to adhere decorations as needed.
12 - Chill assembled whoopie pies for 15 minutes to allow decorations to set before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients and canned pumpkin for pure ease
  • Ready in about an hour including cooling and decorating
  • Fun activity with kids and perfect for festive gatherings
  • Can be customized with your favorite candies and colors
  • The aroma of pumpkin spice wafts through your kitchen
02 -
  • Higher in fiber thanks to pumpkin
  • Stay super soft and moist for days
  • Fun for parties and easy to personalize
03 -
  • Let butter and cream cheese fully soften for the smoothest filling texture
  • Sift powdered sugar for a lump-free beautiful finish
  • Chill decorated pies so candy pieces firmly set and do not slip off
  • If you overbake cookies they will lose softness but a quick wrap in plastic with a marshmallow inside overnight restores some moisture.

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