If you’re in the mood for a treat that’s equal parts festive and downright delicious, this Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe is about to become your new favorite. These soft, chocolatey cookies sandwich a vibrant, fluffy buttercream that’s just bursting with autumnal spirit, thanks to pops of orange and yellow coloring and playful Halloween sprinkles. Trust me, these little pies are perfect for sharing at parties, handing out to trick-or-treaters, or simply indulging in a cozy moment at home. From the tender cake-like cookies to the silky-smooth frosting, every bite is a celebration of flavor and fun.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is half the battle won in baking, and for this Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe, you’ll find each item plays an essential role — from the rich cocoa that gives the cookies their deep chocolate flavor to the butter that brings beautiful softness and moisture.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Essential for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create a light, airy cookie crumb.
- ½ cup light brown sugar: Adds a subtle caramel depth and extra moisture to the cookies.
- 1 egg (room temperature): Acts as a binder and lends structure to the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth and enhances all the other flavors.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing the perfect chew.
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder: Offers rich, chocolate intensity with a beautiful dark color.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Gives the cookies a nice lift and light crumb.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate taste.
- 1 cup milk (room temperature): Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature, for frosting): Critical for creamy, luscious buttercream.
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it that silky texture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting): Infuses the frosting with heavenly flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for frosting): Balances sweetness in the buttercream.
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the frosting.
- Orange & yellow gel food coloring (optional): Makes the frosting pop with festive hues perfect for Halloween.
- ¼ – ½ cup Halloween sprinkles: Adds a fun, crunchy surprise and eye-catching decoration.
How to Make Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cookies
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup. Then, cream together the butter and sugars until your mixture is fluffy and light — this aeration is what makes the cookies soft and tender.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. The egg adds structure while the vanilla enhances the chocolate’s depth, building a perfect base for your cookies.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
Whisk the flour, dark cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together. This ensures an even distribution of leavening and cocoa, giving every cookie consistent flavor and rise.
Step 4: Blend Dry and Wet Mixtures
Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture in thirds, mixing on low speed to avoid overmixing. Ending with flour ensures your batter holds just the right texture — soft and rich without being dense.
Step 5: Portion and Bake the Cookies
Using a large cookie scoop, drop dollops of batter about 3 tablespoons each onto your baking sheets, leaving enough space to give them room to puff. Bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re puffed, slightly springy to the touch, and smelling like chocolate dreams.
Step 6: Cool the Cookies Completely
Let the cookies rest a couple of minutes on the baking sheet, which helps them set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step prevents your frosting from melting when applied.
Step 7: Prepare the Vanilla Buttercream
Beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for about five minutes until it’s luxuriously light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low speed until incorporated, then add vanilla, salt, and heavy cream. Beat for another few minutes to get a smooth, cloud-like frosting perfect for scooping or piping.
Step 8: Color the Frosting
Add a few drops of orange and yellow gel food coloring to the buttercream. Stir gently until you achieve vibrant Halloween colors that will make your whoopie pies pop with festive spirit.
Step 9: Assemble the Whoopie Pies
Generously spread or pipe the buttercream on the flat side of one cookie, then sandwich it with another chocolate cookie. For a fun twist, roll the exposed frosting edge in Halloween sprinkles for a crunchy, colorful finish that kids and adults alike will adore.
How to Serve Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a final touch is what elevates your Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe from delicious to unforgettable. Sprinkle colorful Halloween sprinkles or tiny candy eyeballs around the edges to give them extra charm and a whimsical glow that perfectly embraces the spooky season.
Side Dishes
These whoopie pies shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of spiced cider. For a party spread, add some caramel popcorn or pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies for a truly festive vibe that your guests will remember.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe on a tiered cake stand drizzled with melted chocolate and scattered fake spider webs to impress at any gathering. Or wrap them individually in clear cellophane tied with orange and black ribbons to give as charming Halloween gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled, store your whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the cookies soft and the buttercream fresh, allowing you to enjoy the Halloween magic for longer.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe in advance, freeze them by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They keep beautifully for up to 2 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
Whoopie pies are best enjoyed at room temperature to keep the frosting perfect. If you prefer a slightly warm cookie, let them thaw first, then warm briefly in the microwave for 10 seconds, but avoid overheating to keep your buttercream from melting away.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
While regular food coloring works, gel food coloring is preferred because it adds vibrant colors without thinning the frosting, keeping it perfectly fluffy.
Are whoopie pies the same as cupcakes?
Whoopie pies are sandwich-style treats made with soft, cake-like cookies and creamy filling, making them different from cupcakes, which are individual cakes with frosting on top.
Can I substitute dairy ingredients to make this vegan?
Yes, for a vegan version, replace butter with plant-based margarine and use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk, but the taste and texture may vary slightly.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is at room temperature but not melted, and chill your dough slightly if it feels too soft before scooping onto the baking sheet.
Can I use other colors for the frosting?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with color to match any theme or preference — purple, green, or even black make for exciting Halloween treats.
Final Thoughts
This Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe is a joyous way to celebrate the spooky season with a delicious twist. With its moist chocolate cookies and buttery, colorful filling, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for Halloween festivities. I can’t wait for you to give it a try and see how much fun baking and sharing these delightful pies can be. Happy Halloween and even happier baking!
Print
Halloween Whoopie Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Halloween Whoopie Pies are festive, chocolatey sandwich cookies filled with creamy, colorful vanilla buttercream. Perfect for spooky celebrations, the moist cocoa cookies paired with smooth buttercream frosting and decorative sprinkles make a delightful treat for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk (room temperature)
Vanilla Buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Orange & yellow gel food coloring (optional)
- ¼ – ½ cup Halloween sprinkles
Instructions
- Make the Chocolate Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes a few minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and cocoa.
- Combine Ingredients Gradually: Gradually add one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture on low speed. Then add half of the milk. Repeat by adding half the remaining flour mixture and the rest of the milk, finishing with the remaining flour mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Scoop and Bake: Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons of batter) to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are puffed and bounce back when gently touched.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to prevent sogginess.
- Prepare Vanilla Buttercream: In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat the room temperature butter on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the frosting.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar on low speed until fully blended, to avoid a sugar cloud while mixing.
- Add Flavorings and Cream: Mix in vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream, then increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes until the buttercream is smooth and fluffy.
- Color the Buttercream: Add a few drops of orange and yellow gel food coloring and mix until you reach a festive Halloween shade.
- Assemble Whoopie Pies: Spread or pipe a generous amount of buttercream onto the flat side of one chocolate cookie using a piping bag or spatula.
- Create the Sandwich: Place another cookie on top of the buttercream to form a sandwich.
- Decorate Edges: Pour Halloween sprinkles onto a small plate and roll the exposed edges of the buttercream in the sprinkles to decorate and add a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Do not overmix the cookie batter to keep the cookies tender.
- You can store the assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives and use egg replacer.
