Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Spiced Maple Cream {Paleo + Vegan option}
Attention fellow pumpkin lovers: our season has returned! Personally, I couldn’t be happier that pumpkin everything is back. As one of those people who mourns its departure, I stock up (or maybe hoard) as soon as it hits our local markets. The fleshy orange squash should be celebrated and enjoyed year round. And there are few better ways to enjoy pumpkin than in dessert form. Our Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Spiced Maple Cream are the special fall treats us pumpkin-aholics need.
Most of us associate pumpkin with dessert, because duh, it is amazing sweetened. But that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice our weekly intake of sugar in one sitting. No reason to waste calories on those disasters.
Disasters such as a PSL from popular coffee shops. Yes, they may initially taste good. But do you want a massive insulin spike and subsequent crash from a drink? Â Instead, you can satisfy your craving with quality nutrients, and something that actually contains pumpkin. Trust me, you can feed your pumpkin spice addiction with a better option.
Instead, you can satisfy your craving with quality nutrients. Trust me, you can feed your pumpkin spice addiction with a better option.
Thankfully for our health and taste buds, pumpkin boasts some awesome nutritional benefits. Some of these include:
- Loads of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Orange hued vegetables contain Beta-Carotene and are a great source of vitamins.
- Fiber. Pumpkin is a fantastic source of dietary fiber, which will keep your digestive system healthy.
- Magnesium. An essential mineral many of us (especially women) are deficient in.
- A range of B Vitamins, including Folate. These vitamins are essential for everyone and are most potent and bio-available in fresh produce.
These nutrients are why we can take that tasty squash and turn it into a healthier treat for the entire family to enjoy. And we feel we have done just that.
As far as types of pumpkin, canned works just fine. Make sure to purchase pure pumpkin puree though, not the pumpkin pie mix you find on many store shelves.
Our go-to brands are Trader Joe’s Organic Pumpkin and Farmers Market Organic Pumpkin available at Thrive Market or Amazon.
If you aren’t familiar with whoopie pies, they are a cross between a cake and a cookie, both fluffy and dense, with cream sandwiched between two pieces. They are usually large and can be shared with a friend. If you want to share that is. Honestly, we usually don’t.
This is a great handheld treat and one that is suitable for parties and gatherings, so you really cannot go wrong. Kids love them too because they look just as fun as they are to eat.
Friends, let’s celebrate pumpkin season with a healthier option. We highly encourage you to make these satisfying pies often and share with all your friends.
Maybe, just maybe, you can kick everyone’s PSL addiction. After all, those don’t even contain pumpkin. The blasphemy.
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Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Spiced Maple Cream {Paleo + Vegan option}
Ingredients
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- 1 cup creamy no-salt-added raw nut butter Cashew, Pecan, or Almond
- 1 cup plain pumpkin purée
- 2 large pastured eggs lightly beaten, or 2 egg replacers
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Spiced Maple Cream
- 8 ounces organic cream cheese or palm shortening at room temperature
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin purée
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup maple sugar can sub coconut sugar
- 4 tablespoons coconut butter softened (heat in microwave for about 20 seconds)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1-3 tablespoons coconut flour optional
Instructions
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line 2 baking sheets with Silpats or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large mixing bowl, add nut butter, eggs or replacers, pumpkin, maple syrup, and vanilla. Beat on medium until combined and smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Sift together dry ingredients, then add to wet ingredients with mixer on low. Mix until just combined. The dough will be a bit loose and sticky.
- Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough and plop on a baking sheet, using the back of a spoon to swirl the dough together into an even layer. Continue with remaining dough, leaving 1-2 inches of space in between each.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and set, but centers are still soft.
- Remove from the oven, place baking sheets on cooling racks, and let cool completely. Pies must be cool before removing from the pan and filling with cream.
Spiced Maple Cream
- Add all ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy. Adjust seasons to taste.
- If you prefer a thicker filling, add coconut flour until desired texture is reached. You will likely need flour if using cream cheese, but may not with palm shortening.
Assembly
- Using a large spatula, remove cooled whoopie pies from the pan.
- Take one half and dollop 2-3 tablespoons cream in the center. Top with a second pie and smoosh together slightly to spread out the cream. Repeat with remaining whoopie pies.
- Store pies in the refrigerator. They can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Notes
**If you cannot find maple sugar, sub coconut sugar instead. You could also double the maple syrup but you may need extra flour to thicken the dough.
*Whoopie pie recipe adapted from Paleo Pumpkin Whoopie Pies by Healy Eats Real
Oh my god, and there’s a dairy free option as well! These look absolutely legendary, I’ll have to try baking them to get me in the Autumn mood 🙂
Absolutely! I made them with the shortening since I stay away from diary too ? I know you’ll love them as much as we do, and thanks so much for sharing!
Made these last night and they are incredible!! Thank you so much!
Yay! So glad you loved them, and I’m impressed you made them right away. Thanks for sharing! ?
Oh my god these look so yummy! Autumn baked goods are the best baked goods and the fact that there’s a vegan option makes it better. Can’t wait to try!
Lauren @ Celestial Livin
http://www.celestiallivin.com
Thanks so much, Lauren! I completely agree, it’s all about the fall inspired treats this time of year. We hope you love them!
I’m so exited to try these. I love fall, and baking, and to add a healthy, yummy dessert to my day…. so exited lol 🙂
I’m with you Cassie! Healthy fall baking is super exciting ? Let us know what you think once you make them.
These sound marvelous! We love to make something similar in the fall! But you have me inspired to spice up the whipped cream. Yum! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
That’s great, love that we are the same page ? The spiced cream is key. Enjoy!
My mouth is watering! These look delicious. I’m a horrible baker, so I’m pinning this to save for when my sister can come over to help me lol 🙂 Can’t wait to try them!!
Thanks so much! They’re surprising easy to make, but it’s always fun to bake with a loved one ? Enjoy and let us know what you think!
These look SOO delicious. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thanks so much Stephanie! Looking forward to your feedback ?
Thank you for sharing! This looks amazing. Just emptied a big pumpkin and was looking for something nice to do with the meat!
And thank you for the feedback! What perfect timing ? homemade pumpkin purée is the best too!