Dreamy Apple Cider Whoopie Pies Recipe For Fall Baking

Sweet, pillowy soft cookies sandwiching a luscious cream cheese filling offer the perfect fall these apple cider whoopie pies promise pure comfort.

Autumn’s warmth radiates through each bite of these tender treats.

Spices dance across your palate with a delightful blend of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Homemade goodness bursts from these handheld delights that capture seasonal magic.

The rich apple cider infuses deep, complex flavors into every delectable morsel.

Bakers seeking a memorable dessert will adore this simple yet spectacular recipe that turns ordinary moments into cherished memories.

One taste transports you to cozy kitchen moments filled with sweet anticipation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 13

Apple Cider Whoopie Pies Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the tender, soft structure for these delightful whoopie pies, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Magical leavening agents that help the cookies rise and create a perfectly airy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the sweet flavors, bringing depth to the entire dessert.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that infuse the cookies with cozy autumn-inspired aromatics and depth.

• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create a smooth, tender cookie base.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Combine to provide sweetness and moisture, creating a complex caramel-like undertone.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the soft, cake-like texture of the whoopie pies.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, aromatic sweetness that complements the apple and spice flavors.

• Apple Cider: Concentrated liquid that intensifies the apple essence and adds a tangy, bright note to the cookies.
• Apple Butter or Applesauce: Provides moisture and deepens the apple flavor profile, creating a more robust taste.
• Bourbon Caramel: Optional decadent touch that introduces a sophisticated, rich caramel undertone.
• Cream Cheese: Adds creamy, tangy richness to the icing, balancing the sweet cookie base.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable icing with the perfect level of sweetness.

Tools for Soft Cookies and Smooth Filling

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for whipping butter, creaming sugars, and creating smooth frostings.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for reducing apple cider to concentrate its rich flavor.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Great for combining wet ingredients and creating cookie dough.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Ideal for sifting and mixing dry ingredients.
• Baking Sheets: Necessary for baking whoopie pie cookies evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool down and maintain their crisp texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and scrape down bowl sides.
• Cookie Scoop or Spoon: Ensures uniform cookie sizes for consistent whoopie pies.

How to Make Apple Cider Whoopie Pies at Home

• Cider Concentration

Boil apple cider in a saucepan, reducing liquid until it becomes thick and syrupy. Let it cool completely before using in the recipe.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and warm spices in a bowl. Mix gently to ensure even distribution of ingredients.

• Wet Mixture Preparation

Cream butter with white and brown sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, then incorporate cooled cider and apple butter for deep flavor.

• Dough Formation

Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture carefully. Scoop rounded portions onto lined baking sheets, leaving space between each dollop.

• Baking Process

Slide sheets into preheated oven. Bake until edges turn golden and centers feel springy when touched. Allow cookies to rest briefly before transferring to cooling rack.

• Finishing Touches

Brush cookie tops with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Once completely cooled, sandwich cookies with creamy filling of choice.

• Serving Suggestion

Chill assembled whoopie pies for enhanced flavor melding. Serve at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.

Flavor Add-Ons for Autumn-Inspired Whoopie Pies

• Roast apple butter or applesauce in a skillet for 2-3 minutes to caramelize sugars and deepen the apple essence, creating a more complex and rich taste profile.
• Prepare cookie dough and freeze unbaked mounds on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months, baking directly from frozen with an extra 2-3 minutes of baking time.
• Experiment with different warm spices like cardamom, allspice, or nutmeg to customize the cookie's flavor, adding a unique twist to the traditional apple cider profile.
• Fold in finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the cookie batter for an unexpected crunch and nutty undertone that complements the apple and spice flavors.
• Dust finished whoopie pies with powdered sugar, drizzle with extra caramel, or roll edges in crushed graham crackers for a stunning presentation that elevates the dessert's visual appeal.

Best Ways to Plate and Serve These Sweet Sandwiches

• Rustic Harvest Platter: Arrange the whoopie pies on a wooden board with fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and a small jar of caramel sauce for a stunning autumn-inspired presentation.
• Cozy Coffee Companion: Serve these delightful treats alongside a warm mug of spiced apple cider or a creamy latte, creating the perfect fall afternoon snack experience.
• Dessert Party Spectacular: Stack the whoopie pies on a tiered cake stand, dusted with extra cinnamon sugar, and surrounded by seasonal garnishes like candied pecans or dried apple chips for an impressive dessert centerpiece.
• Gifting Delights: Package individual whoopie pies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine and a small cinnamon stick, making them a charming homemade gift for friends and family during the holiday season.

Store Whoopie Pies to Keep the Filling Fresh

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Fridge Freshness: Keep whoopie pies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 3 days. Refrigeration helps maintain cream cheese icing's stability.
• Freezer Magic: Wrap individual whoopie pies in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for soft, delicious results.
• Make-Ahead Prep: Separate cookie shells and filling can be prepared 1-2 days before assembly. Store cookies in sealed container and refrigerate icing until ready to use.
• Travel-Ready Trick: Pack whoopie pies with small ice packs or in cooler bags during transport to keep cream filling firm and prevent messy melting.

Cozy Apple Cider Whoopie Pies Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade apple cider whoopie pies combine seasonal spices with creamy filling between two tender cake-like cookies. Fall dessert lovers will enjoy this classic New England treat that brings comfort and sweet nostalgia to the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (473 ml/16 fl oz) apple cider (reduced to ¼ cup or 59 ml)
• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup (113 g/4 oz) unsalted butter, divided
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 4 ½ oz (128 g) cream cheese
• 1 ¼–1 ½ cups (150–180 g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup plus 2 tsp (55 g) brown sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) apple butter or applesauce
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar for coating
• 3 tbsps (43 g) butter for coating
• 2 tbsps plus 2 tsp Bourbon Caramel Sauce
• 2 tbsps (25 g) brown sugar
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp ginger
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon for coating
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 pinches salt

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Instructions

1. Cider Reduction: Simmer apple cider in a saucepan until concentrated to approximately 1/4 cup, then allow to cool completely.
2. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
3. Wet Mixture Blending: Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and airy, then mix in vanilla and eggs until fully incorporated.
4. Batter Composition: Fold in cooled apple cider and apple butter, then gently integrate dry ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
5. Cookie Placement: Line baking sheets with parchment paper and drop tablespoon-sized dough mounds, spacing evenly to allow proper spreading.
6. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake cookie cakes for 11-13 minutes until edges turn golden and centers spring back when touched.
7. Initial Cooling: Transfer cookies to a wire rack, brushing tops with melted butter and sprinkling with cinnamon sugar while warm.
8. Filling Preparation: Choose between bourbon caramel buttercream or brown sugar cream cheese icing by whipping butter or cream cheese and gradually mixing in respective ingredients.
9. Assembly and Finishing: Generously spread chosen filling between cooled cookie cakes, optionally drizzling with extra bourbon caramel, then chill for 30 minutes to set and meld flavors.

Notes

• Reduce Cider Carefully: Concentrate apple cider slowly to intensify flavor and prevent burning, ensuring only 1/4 cup remains for rich, deep taste.
• Avoid Overmixing Dough: Stir dry ingredients just until combined to maintain soft, tender cookie texture and prevent tough, dense results.
• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming, which creates better cookie cake structure and more consistent baking.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies cool completely before filling to prevent icing from melting and ensure clean, professional-looking whoopie pies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg