Apple Whoopie Pies

It was 45 degrees when I walked outside this morning.  Which means my shorts/t-shirt ensemble was probably a poor choice...but it also means that Fall is almost here!

Apples are a flavorful and versatile ingredient to any Fall dish.  Whether you are baking a fragrant homemade apple pie, chopping up apples and mixing them into your stuffing for your turkey on Thanksgiving, or just dipping the whole piece of fruit into a tub of  warm caramel and then popping it on a stick for a delicious grab-and-go treat; apples are one of the many delicious flavors of Fall.

Which is why I chose to make Apple Whoopie Pies for this week's blog.  These treats have a taste similar to that of a spice cake with warm flavors of cinnamon and vanilla.  The unsweetened applesauce adds moisture without the extra sugar.  The sweet Fluffy Filling has notes of nutmeg, which rounds out the Fall flavors and aromas in this dessert.

I have a special baking sheet made specifically for making whoopie pies, which helps to create even, perfectly round cakes for each side of your whoopie pie.  If you make whoopie pies as much as I do, then this tool is a great addition to your kitchen. However, I'm assuming most of you do not have one of these baking sheets, so I've catered the recipe to you. 

Fall is my favorite season.  I hope this recipe helps you celebrate the cooler weather, beatiful colors and fuzzy sweaters of Autumn!

Cake Ingredients

Fluffy Filling Ingredients

Cake Batter

Pre Oven

Post Oven

Chillin'

Fluffy Filling

My Attempt at Being Artistic Don't Judge.

I Ate This One About Three Seconds After I Took This Picture... 

Apple Whoopie Pies2 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups unsweetend applesauce3/4 cup whipping cream
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 recipe Fluffy Filling

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line large cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside
2.) In a large bowl, combine brown sugar and butter.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined.  Add applesauce and whipping cream; beat well.
3.) In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Gradually add flour mixture to the beaten mixture, beating until well mixed
4.) Drop batter by spoonfulls about 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheet.  Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are light brown.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

5.) Spread Fluffy Filling on bottoms of half of the cooled cakes.  Top with the remaining cakes, bottom sides down.  Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator and serve within 24 hours.

Yields about 24 whoopie pies

Fluffy Filling
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup marshmallow creme
1/4 cup whole milk1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1.) In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients with the exception of the powdered sugar and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.

2.) Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until well mixed and fluffy.