Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.
Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies are the ultimate treat! Whoopie pies are delicious, whipped vanilla marshmallow frosting sandwiched between two decadent chocolate cookie cakes made with Dutch cocoa, with just the right touch of sweetness. These habit-forming pies will definitely make you shout, “Whoopie!”
Originally popular in New England and Amish country, it’s even graced it’s fun take on sandwich cookies that can be filled with whatever frosting you want for your perfect celebration or holiday! You can even dip the sides of the filling in peppermint or sprinkles to really take them to the next festive level!
The Story of Whoopie Pies
If you’ve never had a whoopie pie, you’re missing out! Also known as gobs, bobs, black-and-whites, “big fat Oreos,” and sometimes “moon pies.”
Tradition has it that this age-old dessert was placed in Amish children’s lunch pails and as they discovered it, they shouted “Whoopie!” After one bite, you will see why!
There are many versions of Classic Whoopie Pies out there, so you may come across other recipes that may use shortening in the cakes and filling, or marshmallow cream or not in the filling, etc. Not looking for a debate about other versions, but I prefer the filling with the marshmallow cream
, because it’s a sweeter filling with the cakes. Plus, I love marshmallow
anything!
If you’re all in on chocolate, give these Perfect Hershey’s Chocolate Cupcakes a try!
Baking Tips
- Use Dutch unsweetened cocoa powder
to get a rich, dark chocolate flavor. Use black cocoa for even more dramatic results! - The texture of the batter will spread and plump up in the oven while they bake, so make sure to leave room on baking sheet.
- Avoid overmixing the batter for best results.
- To assemble, once the cookies have cooled, turn over half of them and frost! Add another cookie to the top to make your sandwich cookie complete!
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop out the batter for even sizes. You can make these mini, regular sized or jumbo! Just make sure to adjust time.
to get a rich, dark chocolate flavor. Use 
for even more dramatic results!
Ingredients You Need
Whoopie Pie Cakes
- all-purpose flour
- Dutch unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- baking soda
- salt
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar or brown sugar
- egg
- vanilla extract
- milk or buttermilk
- espresso powder, optional
, optional2 Fillings to Choose From:
1. Classic Vanilla Cream Filling
- unsalted butter or shortening
- confectioners sugar
- milk
- vanilla extract
2. Vanilla Marshmallow Buttercream Filling
- marshmallow fluff
- confectioners sugar
- unsalted butter or shortening
- vanilla extract
- salt
- milk, as needed
How to Make Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies
- Preheat oven to 350F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Gradually add in the milk/buttermilk, scraping the bottom of the bowl as needed. If batter curdles, just continue, it will come together in the end.
- Slowly add dry ingredients. Mix until just combined by not overmixing batter.
- Using a small, medium or large cookie or ice cream scoop, drop the batter onto the prepared baking pan 2″ apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes for smaller and 15-16 minutes for larger or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, but do not overbake. They may not look completely done, but if they are firm to touch but still look wet, pull them from the oven and let them continue to cool on baking sheet before frosting. You can also make these mini or larger, just adjust time.
How to Make Vanilla Marshmallow Buttercream Filling
- While the whoopie pies are cooling, prepare the filling by creaming the butter/shortening and powdered sugar. Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined. Add marshmallow fluff. Mix well, adding milk, a tablespoon at a time, as needed.
- Using a piping bag or spoon, spread 2 approximately 2 tablespoons worth of marshmallow buttercream onto the inside of one cake layer then gently press the other cake layer over top to make a sandwich.
How to Make Classic Vanilla Cream Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the butter/shortening and powdered sugar at low speed until crumbly. Mix in extract and milk until combined, then switch to high speed and beat until light and fluffy.
Storing Whoopie Pies
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container lined with wax or parchment paper at room temperature for 2-3 days and in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- To Freeze – Individually wrap the whoopie pies and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter before serving.
More Fun Dessert Recipes!
- Soft Sugar Cookies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cream Pie
- 15 Popular Easy Cream Pies You’ll Love
- Soft Batch Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Spiced Molasses Cookie Cream Pies
- Ultimate Soft Chocolate Drop Cookies
- 12 Delectable Pies for the Holidays
- M&M Christmas Cookies
- Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- OMG! Soft-Batch Mini M&M & Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Birthday Cake Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies are the ultimate treat! Whoopie pies are delicious, whipped vanilla marshmallow frosting sandwiched between two decadent chocolate cookie cakes made with Dutch cocoa, with just the right touch of sweetness. These habit-forming pies will definitely make you shout, "Whoopie!"
Ingredients
Whoopie Pie Cakes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Dutch unsweetened cocoa powder free of lumps
- 1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened, can also use shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar can also use brown sugar
- 1 large egg can use 2 eggs if egg is not large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
Vanilla Marshmallow Buttercream Filling
- 1 ⅓ cups marshmallow fluff
- 1 ⅓ cups confectioners sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter softened (can also use shortening)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons milk as needed
Classic Vanilla Filling
- 2 tablespoons butter softened (can also use shortening)
- 1 ⅓ cups confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Whoopie Pie Cakes
- Preheat oven to 350F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. (if adding espresso powder, add it in with dry ingredients.) Set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Gradually add in the milk/buttermilk, scraping the bottom of the bowl as needed. If batter curdles, just continue, it will come together in the end.
- Slowly add dry ingredients. Mix until just combined by not overmixing batter.
- Using a small or large cookie or ice cream scoop, drop the batter onto the prepared baking pan 2″ apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes for smaller and 15-16 minutes for larger or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, but do not overbake. They may not look completely done, but if they are firm to touch but still look wet, pull them from the oven and let them continue to cool on baking sheet before frosting. You can also make these mini or larger, just adjust time.
Vanilla Marshmallow Buttercream Filling
- While the whoopie pies are cooling, prepare the filling by creaming the butter and powdered sugar. Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined. Add marshmallow fluff. Mix well, adding milk, a tablespoon at a time, as needed.
- Using a piping bag or spoon, spread 2 approximately 2 tablespoons worth of marshmallow buttercream onto the inside of one cake layer then gently press the other cake layer over top to make a sandwich.
Classic Vanilla Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine the butter and powdered sugar at low speed until crumbly. Mix in extract and milk until combined, then switch to high speed and beat until light and fluffy.
- Using a piping bag or spoon, spread 2 approximately 2 tablespoons worth of vanilla filling onto the inside of one cake layer then gently press the other cake layer over top to make a sandwich.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container lined with wax paper at room temperature for 2-3 days and in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
To Freeze – Individually wrap the whoopie pies and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter before serving.
Tried This Recipe?Let us know how it was by commenting below!
