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Irresistible Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Dreamy Cream Cheese Filling: Your Perfect Fall Dessert

There’s nothing quite like the comforting flavors of fall, and these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies encapsulate the season perfectly. Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, pillowy pumpkin “cookie” that’s been lightly coated in a spiced sugar, only to meet a luscious, tangy cream cheese filling in the center. Pure bliss! These delightful treats are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of autumn, guaranteed to bring warmth and joy to any gathering.

A Pumpkin Whoopie Pie on a plate with a bite taken out of it, surrounded by more whole pies.

Every time I share these pumpkin whoopie pies, they vanish in a flash and receive enthusiastic praise. They are truly a showstopper, boasting a unique texture and flavor profile that stands out from typical fall baked goods. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe promises an impressive result that tastes as good as it looks.

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button below to quickly navigate to the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions, or continue scrolling for detailed tips and tricks!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Recipe

Pumpkin whoopie pies are a classic New England treat that has captivated dessert lovers for generations, and this particular recipe elevates them to new heights. Here’s why they deserve a spot on your fall baking list:

Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of moist, spiced pumpkin cookies with a rich, tangy cream cheese filling is simply divine. The subtle warmth of pumpkin spice perfectly complements the sweetness, creating a balanced and addictive flavor.
Perfect Texture: Unlike a standard cookie, whoopie pie “cookies” are cake-like and incredibly soft, almost like a miniature muffin. Paired with the creamy filling, each bite is a delightful contrast of textures.
Unique Spiced Sugar Coating: This recipe features a special step where the pumpkin cookies are brushed with melted butter and then dipped in a seasoned sugar mixture. This adds an extra layer of flavor, a beautiful sparkle, and a slight crispness that truly sets these whoopie pies apart. The touch of salt in the sugar cuts through the sweetness, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Impressive Presentation: These whoopie pies look charming and inviting, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy evening treat. They are sure to impress both family and friends.
Easier Than You Think: While the ingredient list might seem a bit long, and there are a few distinct steps, the process is straightforward and quite forgiving. The active preparation time is surprisingly minimal, making them accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Crafting these delectable pumpkin whoopie pies involves a few key components: the pumpkin cookies themselves, a flavorful spiced sugar coating, and the creamy, dreamy cream cheese filling. While the overall ingredient list might appear extensive, many items are pantry staples, and each plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make these treats so special. We’ll break down the purpose of some key ingredients to help you understand their importance.

Ingredients needed to make Pumpkin Whoopie Pies.

For the Soft Pumpkin Cookies:

Unsalted Butter (soft room temperature): Essential for creaming with sugar, which incorporates air and creates a light, tender crumb in the cookies. Room temperature butter ensures it blends smoothly and evenly.
Light Brown Sugar (packed): Adds moisture, a hint of caramel flavor, and contributes to the soft texture. Packing the sugar ensures accurate measurement.
Large Egg (room temperature): Acts as a binder and adds richness. Like butter, a room temperature egg emulsifies better with other ingredients, preventing a curdled batter.
Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling!): Provides the signature pumpkin flavor and moisture. Make sure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin puree, not the pre-spiced pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices that would alter the recipe’s balance.
All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of the cookie.
Pumpkin Spice Mix: The quintessential fall flavor. You can use store-bought or a homemade blend for a personalized touch.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the whoopie pies their characteristic puff and soft, cake-like texture.
Kosher Salt (Morton): A small but mighty ingredient that balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, making them more vibrant. Don’t omit it!

For the Spiced Sugar Coating:

Melted Unsalted Butter: Just a light brush is needed to help the spiced sugar adhere to the cooled cookies, creating that delightful sugary crust.
Granulated Sugar, Pumpkin Spice Mix, Freshly Grated Nutmeg, & Kosher Salt: This blend creates the irresistible outer layer. The nutmeg adds an extra layer of warm spice, and the salt is key to cutting through the sweetness, providing a perfect flavor contrast.

For the Dreamy Cream Cheese Filling:

Unsalted Butter (soft room temperature): Forms the base of the buttercream, contributing to its creamy texture.
Cream Cheese (room temperature): The star of the filling, providing its signature tangy flavor and incredibly smooth consistency. Ensuring it’s at room temperature is crucial for a lump-free filling.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and gives it its smooth, stable texture.
Vanilla Bean Paste (or vanilla extract): Adds a classic, warm vanilla aroma and flavor. Vanilla bean paste offers a more intense vanilla experience with visible specks.

Yes, it’s a bit of a “labor of love,” but trust me, the first bite makes it all worthwhile! While there are a few different components to prepare, the active hands-on time is surprisingly short, and each step is simpler than you might imagine. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of the method.

Step-by-Step Method for Homemade Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Making these pumpkin whoopie pies is a fun and rewarding process that can be broken down into a few manageable stages: preparing the pumpkin cookies, creating the spiced sugar coating, whipping up the luscious cream cheese filling, and finally, assembling your magnificent pies. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.

Crafting the Soft Pumpkin Cookies

The foundation of a great whoopie pie is its cake-like cookie. We start by building a rich, flavorful batter.

Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter and packed light brown sugar. Beat them at medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl 2-3 times to ensure everything is evenly incorporated. This creaming process is vital for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ light and tender texture.
Add Wet Ingredients: Next, beat in the room temperature large egg and pumpkin puree until they are well combined with the butter and sugar mixture. Ensure no streaks of egg or pumpkin remain.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin spice mix, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture in the stand mixer. With the mixer on low speed, blend just until the flour is completely incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.

Creamed butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer, adding the pumpkin and egg.

Creamed butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer, pumpkin and egg beat in too.

Now that your batter is ready, it’s time for baking!

Portion and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat baking liners. Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop (or about 2 tablespoons), place level scoops of the batter onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each for spreading. You can gently press down on the mounds of batter with the back of a spoon to slightly flatten them, which helps ensure a more uniform whoopie pie shape. Bake immediately for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the bottom edges are lightly golden and the tops feel dry to the touch. Rotate the pans halfway through baking for even cooking.
Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the pans from the oven and let the pumpkin cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. They are delicate when warm, so resist the urge to move them until they’re fully cooled; this prevents them from breaking.

Whoopie pies portioned on a sheet pan and lightly pressed down, before baking.

Whoopie pies on a sheet pan, after baking.

The Special Spiced Sugar Coating

This unique step adds a fantastic texture and flavor boost to your whoopie pies.

Prepare Spiced Sugar: While the cookies are cooling, combine the granulated sugar, pumpkin spice mix, freshly grated nutmeg, and kosher salt in a small, shallow bowl. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
Brush and Dip: Once the “cookies” are completely cool, gently brush the tops and edges of each with a very thin layer of melted butter. The key is a light touch – just enough butter to make the sugar stick. Immediately after brushing, dredge the buttered cookie, top side down, through the spiced sugar mixture. Gently press to ensure the sugar adheres evenly. The salt in this mixture provides a wonderful counterpoint to the sweetness, elevating the flavor profile significantly!