Red Velvet Whoopie Pies Recipe
If you’re craving a fun and flavorful dessert that blends the richness of red velvet with the softness of a cake-like treat, red velvet whoopie pies are the perfect choice. These classic whoopie pies have the familiar velvety texture and vibrant color of red velvet cake, combined with a fluffy and creamy filling. They’re a treat that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, making them perfect for special occasions, celebrations, or simply when you want to indulge in something sweet.
Whoopie pies have a long history in American baking and are traditionally made with two soft cookies sandwiched together with a creamy filling. In this version, the red velvet flavor takes center stage. Red velvet cake, known for its tender crumb and unique hint of cocoa, provides the perfect base for these whoopie pies. The rich, buttery filling adds an extra layer of decadence, and the contrast between the deep red color and white filling makes for an irresistible dessert.
These red velvet whoopie pies are easy to make, and the recipe is straightforward, so you don’t have to be an expert baker to create them. With just a few simple ingredients and the right technique, you can achieve perfect whoopie pies that are moist, flavorful, and wonderfully sweet. Whether you’re preparing them for a party, a gift, or just a treat for yourself, these pies are sure to impress.
With this recipe, you can look forward to:
- Perfectly Soft and Moist Pies: The red velvet whoopie pies are tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft, creating an irresistible texture that everyone will love.
- Rich Red Velvet Flavor: The familiar taste of red velvet cake shines through, with a subtle cocoa flavor that’s balanced perfectly by the sweetness of the filling.
- Fluffy Cream Cheese Filling: The cream cheese filling adds richness and tang, complementing the sweetness of the pies and providing the perfect balance.
- Visually Striking Dessert: The bold red color of the pies combined with the white filling creates a striking contrast, making these whoopie pies a standout at any event.
- A Fun Twist on Cake: If you love cake but want something a bit more portable and fun to eat, red velvet whoopie pies are a great alternative to a traditional cake.
Tools to Use
To make these red velvet whoopie pies, gather the following tools:
- Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: For mixing the batter and the filling smoothly.
- Mixing Bowls: To combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.
- Baking Sheet: For baking the whoopie pies.
- Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet and prevent sticking.
- Piping Bag or Spoon: To pipe or scoop the filling into the whoopie pies.
- Cooling Rack: To cool the pies before assembling.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient amounts.
Ingredients
For the red velvet whoopie pies:
- 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (240g) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
For the cream cheese filling:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate large bowl, beat the vegetable oil and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring. The red food coloring will give the pies that signature vibrant color.
- Mix in the white vinegar, which helps activate the baking soda for a light, fluffy texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
- Scoop the Batter:
- Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets. Space each scoop about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Pies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pies comes out clean. The pies should be slightly firm on the outside but soft in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- While the pies cool, make the cream cheese filling. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor balance.
- Assemble the Whoopie Pies:
- Once the pies have cooled completely, spread or pipe a generous amount of cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one pie.
- Top with another pie, pressing gently to sandwich the filling in the middle. Repeat with the remaining pies.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve immediately, or store the whoopie pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Red Velvet Whoopie Pies Recipe
Equipment
- Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: For mixing the batter and the filling smoothly.
- Mixing Bowls: To combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.
- Baking Sheet: For baking the whoopie pies.
- Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet and prevent sticking.
- Piping Bag or Spoon: To pipe or scoop the filling into the whoopie pies.
- Cooling Rack: To cool the pies before assembling.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient amounts.
- Ingredients:
Ingredients
- For the red velvet whoopie pies:
- 2 ½ cups 310g all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup 240g vegetable oil
- 1 cup 200g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 cup 240ml buttermilk
- For the cream cheese filling:
- 8 oz 225g cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup 230g unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups 480g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate large bowl, beat the vegetable oil and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring. The red food coloring will give the pies that signature vibrant color.
- Mix in the white vinegar, which helps activate the baking soda for a light, fluffy texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
- Scoop the Batter:
- Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets. Space each scoop about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Pies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pies comes out clean. The pies should be slightly firm on the outside but soft in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- While the pies cool, make the cream cheese filling. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor balance.
- Assemble the Whoopie Pies:
- Once the pies have cooled completely, spread or pipe a generous amount of cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one pie.
- Top with another pie, pressing gently to sandwich the filling in the middle. Repeat with the remaining pies.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve immediately, or store the whoopie pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tips for Cooking
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense whoopie pies.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: To ensure a smooth batter and filling, make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature.
- Control the Red Color: Adjust the amount of food coloring based on how vibrant you want the pies to be. Start with a tablespoon and add more if necessary.
- Let the Pies Cool Completely: Make sure the pies are completely cool before adding the filling. If the pies are still warm, the filling may melt and ooze out.
- Customize the Filling: If you prefer a different flavor for the filling, you can add a little almond extract or cinnamon to change things up.
Red velvet whoopie pies are a delicious and fun twist on traditional red velvet cake. They combine the rich and indulgent flavor of red velvet with the soft, chewy texture of a cookie. The creamy, tangy cream cheese filling perfectly complements the sweetness of the red velvet, creating a well-balanced dessert. Plus, they’re easy to make, and the results are always impressive. Whether you’re preparing them for a birthday party, a holiday gathering, or simply for a treat at home, red velvet whoopie pies are sure to delight everyone who tries them.
Thank you for trying this red velvet whoopie pie recipe! These delicious, cake-like cookies filled with rich cream cheese frosting are sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Whether you make them for a special occasion or as an everyday treat, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Happy baking, and enjoy every bite of these mouthwatering pies!
