As you gather with family and friends to celebrate the joys of Easter, let these Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies be the centerpiece of your festivities. Their tender cake-like texture, vibrant carrot flavor, and luscious cream cheese filling are sure to captivate everyone’s taste buds and evoke feelings of nostalgia and delight!
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare the Carrot Cake Cookies:
- In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the grated carrots and chopped nuts (if using).
- Drop rounded tablespoons of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until the filling is creamy and well combined.
Assemble the Whoopie Pies:
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous dollop of the cream cheese filling on the flat side of one cookie.
- Top with another cookie, pressing down slightly to create a whoopie pie sandwich.
- Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.