October 31, 2008

Tricks are for Kids - Bring on the Treats!

Happy Halloween!! I hope everyone is in store for some fun today and will be able to spend the rest of the weekend on a nice sugar-induced high. I just wanted to quickly share with you these pumpkin whoopie pies that I made to bring to a Halloween party tonight. 

These are two fluffy pumpkin cookies, sandwiched together with a huge smear of cream cheese frosting. The cookies are very moist and have more of a muffin texture than a cookie. And the frosting, well I'm a sucker for anything with cream cheese, so it was a total hit for me. Plus they are so cute and as easy to eat as cupcakes. I think they would also be an appropriate treat for the whole next month as we begin gearing up for the big turkey day. I made a double batch for the party, which made 24 big sandwiches, but the recipe below only produces 12.

After a healthy breakfast of one of these whoopie pies and a mini-snickers, I'm off to prepare for the big night. I'm going to be Minnie Mouse and the hubby is going as a tourist (am I a Floridian or what!). What are you going to be?

Happy Halloween!!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Cookies:
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 2/3 cups flour
  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Whisk together the sugar and butter until smooth.
  • Whisk in all remaining ingredients, except the flour, until combined.
  • Fold flour into the mixture.
  • Drop 24 generous mounds of the mixture onto two baking sheets (about the size of a heaping tablespoon).
  • Bake until cookies feel slightly springy, or for about 10 minutes.
  • Place cookies on wire racks to cool.
Frosting:
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 pinches of salt
1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • Cream together the butter and cream cheese using an electric mixture.
  • Mix in the remaining ingredients on a low speed until combined.
  • Beat for 2 minutes on a high speed, or until the frosting is fluffy.
To Assemble:
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely, the spread the flat side of half the cookies with a generous portion of the frosting.
  • Top with the flat side of an unfrosted cookie.

4 comments:

Ali said...

those looks delicious! Love the combo of cream cheese frosting and pumpkin, too! :)

Maria said...

I have some leftover pumpkin in the fridge. I better make these cookies! They look great!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Hi Ali - Thanks! The frosting definitely makes it!

Hi Maria - Hope you get the chance to, they are yummy!!

Kaitlin said...

those are too cute and sound delish!