The Best Apple Cider Whoopie Pies Recipe for Fall Treats

Sweet apple cider whoopie pies capture the essence of autumn’s most cherished flavors.

Soft, pillowy cake-like cookies sandwich a luxurious filling that promises pure comfort.

These delightful treats blend nostalgia with contemporary baking techniques, creating a memorable dessert experience.

Warm spices and robust apple notes dance together in each carefully crafted bite.

Seasonal ingredients elevate simple baking into an extraordinary culinary adventure that feels both familiar and exciting.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this delectable recipe with confidence and creativity.

Each whoopie pie delivers a perfect balance of textures and harmonious flavors.

Best Way to Keep Them Fresh

• Refrigeration: Store whoopie pies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 3-4 days, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.
• Freezing: Wrap individual whoopie pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for maximum 2 months, preserving their delicious flavor and texture.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen whoopie pies at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, or gently warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and enhance taste.

Fall Drinks or Snacks to Enjoy with Them

• Pair with Warm Spiced Cider: Complement the apple cider whoopie pies with a hot mug of spiced apple cider, enhanced with cinnamon sticks and a touch of nutmeg, echoing the warm fall flavors in the dessert.
• Match with Caramel Bourbon Cocktail: Elevate the experience by serving a smooth caramel bourbon cocktail that mirrors the bourbon caramel buttercream's rich, complex notes and enhances the dessert's depth.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful contrast by adding a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, which provides a cool, smooth counterpoint to the spiced, warm whoopie pies.
• Complement with Chai Tea Latte: A spiced chai tea latte offers a complementary warmth and spice profile that beautifully matches the cinnamon and apple flavors in the whoopie pies.

Creative Fillings or Dough Tweaks

• Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies: Swap apple cider with pumpkin puree and adjust spices to create a cozy autumn-inspired sandwich cookie packed with warm flavors.
• Maple Pecan Whoopie Pies: Replace apple butter with chopped pecans and drizzle maple syrup into the batter for a rich, nutty version of the classic treat.
• Cranberry Orange Whoopie Pies: Incorporate orange zest and dried cranberries into the cookie dough, then fill with a tangy orange cream cheese frosting for a bright, festive variation.
• Ginger Molasses Whoopie Pies: Intensify the spice profile by adding extra ground ginger and replacing some sugar with molasses, creating a deeper, more robust cookie with a warm undertone.

What to Expect from Apple Cider Whoopie Pies

• Capture Seasonal Autumn Magic: These whoopie pies burst with warm fall flavors, transforming traditional desserts into a cozy celebration of apple cider's rich, concentrated sweetness.
• Elevate Texture Complexity: Soft, cake-like cookies paired with creamy, indulgent fillings create a delightful contrast between tender shells and smooth, luxurious buttercream or cream cheese icing.
• Master Quick Gourmet Baking: This recipe offers professional-level results with beginner-friendly techniques, allowing home bakers to craft impressive desserts without advanced pastry skills in under an hour.

What You Need for Soft Cookies and Filling

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the whoopie pie cookies, choose unbleached for better texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Ginger: Warm spices that complement apple flavors and create depth.

• Apple Cider: Concentrated flavor that adds richness and autumn essence, use fresh and high-quality.
• Apple Butter, Applesauce: Adds moisture and intense apple taste, homemade versions work best.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and adds complexity.
• Large Eggs: Provide binding and structure to the cookie dough.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and creates tender texture, room temperature works best.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help with caramelization and moisture.

• Cream Cheese: Gives tangy and creamy base for icing, use full-fat version.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth and stable filling consistency.
• Bourbon Caramel: Optional ingredient that adds deep, rich flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall taste of filling.

Baking and Assembling These Fall-Inspired Treats

Step 1: Prepare Reduced Apple Cider

Boil apple cider in a medium saucepan, then simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Set Up Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Spices

Step 3: Create Cookie Batter

• Cream butter with granulated and brown sugar
• Add vanilla and eggs
• Mix in cooled apple cider
• Incorporate apple butter or applesauce
• Gradually blend dry ingredients until just combined

Step 4: Shape and Bake Cookies

• Scoop dough mounds (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• Space cookies 3 inches apart on baking sheets
• Bake 11-13 minutes until edges are golden
• Cookies should spring back when lightly touched
• Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes
• Transfer to wire rack

Step 5: Finish Cookies

• Brush tops with melted butter
• Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
• Let cookies cool completely

Step 6: Prepare Bourbon Caramel Buttercream

• Beat butter and salt until fluffy
• Add bourbon caramel
• Gradually mix in powdered sugar
• Adjust consistency with cream or sugar

Step 7: Create Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Icing

• Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth
• Add brown sugar
• Mix in vanilla
• Incorporate powdered sugar
• Blend until thick

Step 8: Assemble Whoopie Pies

• Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons filling on cookie
• Sandwich with matching cookie
• Optional: Add bourbon caramel before closing
• Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving

Tips for Storage and a Perfect Cookie Texture

• Reduce Cider Perfectly: Simmer apple cider slowly to concentrate flavor, watching carefully to prevent burning and achieve the right syrupy consistency.
• Measure Dough Consistently: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform whoopie pie shells, ensuring even baking and professional-looking results.
• Chill Before Filling: Let cookies cool completely before adding filling to prevent buttercream or cream cheese icing from melting and maintain structural integrity.
• Enhance Spice Profile: Experiment with freshly ground spices like nutmeg or cardamom to elevate the warm autumn flavor of the whoopie pies.
• Store Smartly: Keep whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture and prevent sticking.

Apple Cider Whoopie Pies Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade apple cider whoopie pies blend classic fall flavors with irresistible charm. Spiced cake rounds sandwich creamy filling, delivering pure autumn comfort that will make seasonal celebrations deliciously memorable.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider (reduced to ¼ cup or 59 milliliters)
• 1 ¾ cups flour (220 grams)
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams), divided
• ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons brown sugar (packed) (55 grams)
• ¼ cup apple butter or applesauce (60 milliliters)
• ¼ cup sugar (50 grams) for coating
• 3 tablespoons butter (43 grams) for coating
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon for coating
• 1 ¼–1 ½ cups powdered sugar (150–180 grams)
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Bourbon Caramel Sauce
• 4 ½ ounces cream cheese (128 grams)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (25 grams)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 pinches salt

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and reduce apple cider in a saucepan until concentrated, allowing it to cool completely after reaching approximately 1/4 cup volume.
2. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper and sift together dry ingredients including flour, spices, leavening agents, and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
3. Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, then incorporate vanilla extract and eggs, mixing thoroughly.
4. Fold in the cooled apple cider and apple butter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
5. Gradually integrate the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a soft, tender texture.
6. Portion dough onto prepared baking sheets using a tablespoon, spacing mounds evenly to allow proper spreading during baking.
7. Bake the cookie cakes for 11-13 minutes, watching for edges to turn golden and centers to spring back when gently pressed.
8. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, brushing tops with melted butter and sprinkling with cinnamon sugar while still warm.
9. Allow cookies to cool completely before preparing the filling, selecting either bourbon caramel buttercream or brown sugar cream cheese icing.
10. For buttercream, whip butter until fluffy, then gradually incorporate bourbon caramel and powdered sugar, adjusting consistency as needed.
11. For cream cheese icing, blend cream cheese and butter smoothly, then mix in brown sugar, vanilla, and powdered sugar until thick and spreadable.
12. Assemble whoopie pies by generously spreading filling between two cooled cookie cakes, optionally adding an extra drizzle of bourbon caramel.
13. Chill assembled whoopie pies for 30 minutes to set the filling and enhance flavor melding before serving.

Notes

• Master the apple cider reduction technique by simmering it down to concentrate intense autumn flavors in your whoopie pies.
• Create consistent cookie sizes using a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop to ensure even baking and professional-looking results.
• Give cookies enough breathing room on baking sheets, spacing them 3 inches apart prevents spreading and maintains perfect circular shapes.
• Brush warm cookies with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar for an extra layer of delectable, crispy sweetness.
• Control moisture by completely cooling cookies before adding creamy filling to prevent structural collapse or soggy textures.
• Optional bourbon caramel or cream cheese icing transforms these treats from delightful to absolutely decadent dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg