Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Apple Spice Cake Whoopie Pies, featuring warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves combined with the natural sweetness of applesauce. Soft cake rounds sandwich a creamy, rich cream cheese filling for a perfect fall-inspired treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cakes do not stick and bake evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This blend of spices will infuse the cake with warm, autumnal flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy and light in color, creating a smooth base for the batter.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate air. Stir in the vanilla extract for additional depth of flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the cakes.
- Incorporate Applesauce and Sour Cream: Fold in the applesauce and sour cream gently until the batter is smooth and well combined, ensuring moistness in the final cakes.
- Portion the Batter: Drop tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and the tops spring back when touched, indicating they are done.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents sogginess.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, forming the base of the filling.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, incorporating fully before adding more, then mix in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Assemble Whoopie Pies: Once the cakes have fully cooled, spread or pipe the cream cheese filling onto the flat side of half of the cakes. Top with the remaining cakes to form sandwich-style whoopie pies.
Notes
- Ensure ingredients like butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cakes tender and soft.
- Store the whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before filling to prevent melting of the filling.
- You can substitute applesauce with finely shredded apples for added texture if desired.
