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Deliciously Organic: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Deliciously Organic

A blog devoted entirely to simple, wholesome, organic cooking.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting


We don't have an official fall out here in the high desert. The mornings and evenings begin to cool then around Halloween it gets cold (very cold) and windy. We haven't had any rain since March, but the last few days the skies were filled with clouds. I love blue skies, but until we moved to the desert I never really appreciated the joy of clouds overhead. The spectacular sunsets drew our whole family onto the patio to witness the sky in all its glory.


We've done a lot of celebrating recently. Two weeks ago, we found out Pete was selected for promotion to Lt. Colonel. Just telling you makes me feel old! We were married when he was a 2nd Lieutenant and I remember thinking the Lt. Colonels' wives were so old. Now I'm one of them! He's worked crazy hard to get to this point, and I'm very proud of him.

After many, many months of work with the editors, designer, and publisher, my cookbook finally went to print! I'm not sure, but I may have had an out-of-body experience when the magic words came through the phone: "OK, that's it, it's done." We popped open a bottle of champagne and thanked God for bringing us through the whole process.

This week also included Pete and my youngest daughter's birthday. Around here, the birthday person gets to specify the family menu for the entire day - food is important to us! They share a birthday, so they get the unique opportunity of planning the special meals together. I intended to take pictures and blog about the food, but all the dishes they requested come from my cookbook. What a huge compliment!

(The "old guy", and my daughter celebrating her new scooter)

Since I can't share those recipes with you yet, I decided to make Pumpkin Whoopie Pies to say "Happy Birthday" to two precious people in my life. I adore pumpkin and these soft cakes blend pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a slightly puffy and soft mound. They're filled with light-as-air, sweet, maple cream cheese frosting. It doesn't get much better than that. As I worked, the smell of "fall" perfumed the house and the kids were giddy because I was baking dessert in the middle of the afternoon. Whether you're celebrating a professional landmark, a double birthday, or just a beautiful cloud-filled desert sunset, I think you'll enjoy these sweets.


Whole Wheat Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Maple sugar (used in the frosting) can be found at most health food stores and also at Amazon. It's a sweetener I use sparingly mainly because of the price. When it's finely ground, it looks and feels much like powdered sugar.
Makes 12 pies


1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup organic whole cane sugar or sucanat
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2/3 cup maple sugar, ground into a fine powder (I usually do this in a coffee grinder)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°F and adjust rack to middle position. Whisk together melted butter, coconut oil, and whole cane sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. In a separate bowl whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Pour flour mixture into wet mixture and whisk until just mixed.

Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop, drop 12 mounds this will only make 6 pies, since you need 2 mounds per pie batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 12 minutes, until springy to the touch. Cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.

Whisk together the butter, cream cheese, maple sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting and top with another cake.

16 Comments:

Anonymous Jaime said...

This is gorgeous, Carrie, and congratulations to you, your husband, and your daughter!

October 1, 2010 at 8:51 AM  
Anonymous Erika said...

So glad your week has been filled with happy momemts!
You and your husband make a very attractive couple :)

October 1, 2010 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger Amy said...

These look wonderful!

October 1, 2010 at 1:15 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Congratulations, Carrie, to you and your family! I've been following your blog for weeks now and have tried so many of your delicious recipes. I can't wait to try this one! More so, I can't wait to buy your cookbook!

October 1, 2010 at 7:58 PM  
Anonymous Amanda said...

Beautiful pies... and CONGRATS to you!! That is amazing and amazing and amazing news!! So, so proud of you. Cant wait to order my advance copy! :)

October 2, 2010 at 5:28 AM  
Anonymous Heather said...

Congrats Carrie on everything! So well deserved! I can't wait till the cookbook is out.
And a big Happy Birthday to your husband and daughter.
These whoopie pies sound and look delicious too!

October 2, 2010 at 6:57 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Okay, so I tried these this weekend...They are FABULOUS. They tasted much better than I even imagined. Very easy to make too. I didn't even have to use my electric mixer.

October 3, 2010 at 3:11 PM  
Blogger RecipeGirl said...

They're beautiful! Your family AND the whoopie pies ;)

October 3, 2010 at 4:54 PM  
Blogger Sue said...

What a happy week for you & your family! I, too, am a lover of all things pumpkin. To me, it celebrates the Fall season {my favorite!}. Although, this year is quite a bit different since I'm now in the South rather than my New England norm. I canNOT wait until your cookbook is published. What a wonderful accomplishment! Keep up the great work...we appreciate it!

October 4, 2010 at 6:34 AM  
Anonymous Paolita said...

I will definitely be making this. I've been craving something "pumpkin" and these look fantastic!

October 4, 2010 at 10:50 AM  
Anonymous marla {family fresh cooking} said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter & congrats to Pete. Sounds like a lovely celebration you guys had. I can't wait to pop open your book. These Whoopie Pies look amazing! xo

October 4, 2010 at 1:11 PM  
Blogger Sandra said...

I made these tonight and they are so good!!

October 4, 2010 at 9:26 PM  
Blogger The Urban Baker said...

Carrie, these look fantastic! Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are on my fall "to do" list. I am making yours! Your photos are beautiful and the post is lovely!

October 5, 2010 at 6:53 AM  
Blogger Maria said...

Love these! Perfect fall treat. Congratulations!! Can't wait to meet you this week.

October 5, 2010 at 6:59 AM  
Anonymous Kristen said...

What fun and how sweet that they wanted a cookbook recipe! I can't wait to see your new book.

October 5, 2010 at 8:14 AM  
Anonymous Brooke@foodwoolf said...

ADMISSION: When I was a middle school/high schooler, I'd use my lunch money to buy a woopie pie and eat only that.

Now that I see these healthy versions of the cookie, I fear what might happen. Bye bye lunch money! Hello woopie pies!

Happy birthdays to your lovelies and congratulations!

October 5, 2010 at 12:04 PM  

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