Delicious Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies Recipe

Get ready to jingle your taste buds and spread some serious holiday cheer! If you’re searching for a dessert that’s as delightful to look at as it is to devour, then look no further. We’re about to dive headfirst into the magic of Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies – a treat so utterly charming, it deserves a spot on your holiday baking list every single year. Imagine: two tender, fudgy chocolate cake-like cookies embracing a cloud of creamy, dreamy, refreshingly minty filling, all kissed with a festive sprinkle of crushed candy canes. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds (and the recipe!). Forget boring cookies; it’s time to elevate your dessert game with these irresistible, pillowy delights. Let’s bake some joy!

Why You’ll Love These Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

These aren’t just any cookies; they’re an experience! Here are four fantastic reasons why these Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies will become your new favorite:

1. The Ultimate Flavor Fusion: The classic combination of rich, dark chocolate and cool, vibrant peppermint is a match made in dessert heaven. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of deep cocoa notes and refreshing mint, creating an unforgettable taste sensation.
2. Perfectly Festive & Photo-Ready: Adorned with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, these whoopie pies scream “holiday season!” Their charming sandwich structure and vibrant white-and-red accents make them a beautiful addition to any holiday platter or gift box.
3. Easier Than You Think: Don’t let their impressive appearance fool you. Making these Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies is straightforward and uses common baking techniques. From mixing the batter to assembling the glorious finished product, you’ll find the process enjoyable and rewarding.
4. Crowd-Pleasing & Unique: While everyone loves cookies, whoopie pies offer a delightful textural twist – a soft, cakey exterior with a luscious, creamy filling. They stand out from the typical holiday treats and are guaranteed to impress guests and family alike.

Ingredients for Your Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Gather your baking essentials! Here’s everything you’ll need to create these spectacular treats:

For the Whoopie Pies:

• 🌾 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 🍫 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ✨ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 🧂 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 🧈 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 🍚 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 🥚 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 🌿 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 🥛 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

For the Peppermint Filling:

• 🧈 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 🍚 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 🌿 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 🍃 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 🧂 1/8 teaspoon salt
• ☁️ 2 1/2 cups marshmallow creme (fluff)
• 🍬 Crushed candy canes, for garnish

Detailed Directions: Crafting Your Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Ready to bake? Follow these simple steps to bring your delicious Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies to life!

1. Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a couple of large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set them aside. This ensures easy release and quick cleanup.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing lumps in your batter. Set this aside for later.
3. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, making your whoopie pies tender. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
4. Combine Everything: With your mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk in two additions. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined – be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough whoopie pies. Give the batter a final gentle stir with your spatula to make sure there’s no flour hiding at the bottom of the bowl.
5. Bake the Pies: Use a small cookie scoop (about 2 teaspoons worth) to drop batter onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each dollop. This gives them space to spread without merging. Bake for just 10 minutes, or until the centers spring back when lightly touched. Overbaking will result in dry whoopie pies. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.
6. Make the Peppermint Filling: While your whoopie pies are cooling, clean your stand mixer bowl. Beat the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar together on medium speed until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt. Scrape down the bowl, then add the marshmallow creme and mix until smoothly combined. Pop the filling in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up a bit – this makes it easier to work with.
7. Assemble & Enjoy! Once the whoopie pies are fully cool and the filling is set, spread a generous amount of mint filling on the flat side of half of your whoopie pies. Top with the remaining pies to create a sandwich. Gently roll the edges of each whoopie pie in crushed candy canes for that festive crunch and vibrant look. For the best result and a firmer filling, chill them for another 30 minutes before serving.

Presenting and Serving Your Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

The beauty of these Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies isn’t just in their taste, but also in their charming presentation! Here are a few creative ways to serve and show off your delicious creations:

• Classic Candy Cane Crunch: The recipe’s suggestion of rolling the edges in crushed candy canes is already a winner! It adds a beautiful festive touch and a satisfying textural contrast.
• Chocolate Drizzle Delight: For an extra layer of decadence, melt some white or dark chocolate and drizzle it artfully over the tops of the assembled whoopie pies. This creates a professional, gourmet look.
• Dusting of Magic: A light dusting of cocoa powder or confectioners’ sugar over the finished pies can add a sophisticated touch, particularly if you’re skipping the candy canes.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Instead of or in addition to candy canes, press mini chocolate chips around the edges of the filling for an extra chocolatey kick.
• Festive Platter: Arrange your whoopie pies on a festive serving platter alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies or sugar cookies. Their striking appearance will surely draw attention.
• Individual Delights: For parties, consider placing each whoopie pie in a decorative cupcake liner or a small cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. They make fantastic edible gifts or party favors!
• Coffee or Cocoa Companion: These whoopie pies are a dream come true when paired with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a steaming mug of hot chocolate. The cool mint perfectly complements warm beverages.

Storing Your Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

You’ve put in the effort to create these delightful Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies, so let’s make sure they stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible!

• Room Temperature (Short-term): If you plan to eat them within a day, you can store them in an airtight container at cool room temperature. However, due to the butter-based filling, refrigeration is generally recommended for optimal freshness and to prevent the filling from becoming too soft.
• Refrigeration (Best Method): For longer storage and to keep that peppermint filling perfectly firm, store your assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for 3-5 days. Remember to bring them to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
• Freezing (Long-term): Both the unfrosted whoopie pie shells and the assembled pies can be frozen.
  • Unfrosted Shells: Once completely cooled, place the whoopie pie shells in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before filling.
  • Assembled Whoopie Pies: Flash freeze assembled whoopie pies for about 30 minutes on a baking sheet to firm up the filling, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They will last for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
• Keep Air Out: The key to freshness is an airtight seal. Any exposure to air will dry out the cake and potentially harden the filling.

FAQs About Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Have questions about making these irresistible Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies? We’ve got answers!

1. What exactly is a whoopie pie?
A whoopie pie is a classic American dessert consisting of two soft, cake-like cookies (often chocolate) sandwiched together with a creamy, usually marshmallow-based, filling. They’re sometimes called “gobs” or “bussin’ cakes” depending on the region.

2. Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can make a buttermilk substitute! For 1 cup of buttermilk, simply pour 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into a liquid measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way with regular milk (dairy or non-dairy) to the 1-cup line. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles. This acidity reacts with the baking soda to create a tender texture.

3. What if I don’t have a stand mixer?
No problem! A hand mixer will work perfectly for both the whoopie pie batter and the peppermint filling. Just ensure you beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy for each component.

4. How can I make the whoopie pies more uniform in size?
Using a cookie scoop (the recipe suggests a small, 2-teaspoon size) is the best way to ensure consistent sizing. This makes matching up pairs for the sandwich much easier and ensures even baking.

5. Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the chocolate whoopie pie shells a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The filling can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Assemble them closer to serving time for the freshest experience.

6. Why did my whoopie pies flatten out too much?
This can happen if your oven temperature is too low, if the butter was too soft (almost melted) when creaming, or if the batter was overmixed. Ensure your oven is accurately preheated, your butter is softened but still cool to the touch, and mix the batter only until just combined.

7. Can I adjust the peppermint flavor?
Yes! Peppermint extract can be quite strong. If you prefer a milder mint flavor, start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more to taste. If you love a strong mint, you can increase it slightly to 3/4 teaspoon, but always add gradually.

8. What kind of cocoa powder should I use?
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder works well here, giving a classic chocolate flavor. If you want a darker, richer chocolate color and flavor, you can use Dutch-processed cocoa powder, but be aware it might slightly alter the texture as it has less acidity.

9. Is it okay to skip the chilling time for the filling?
While you can, chilling the filling for at least 30 minutes is highly recommended. It allows the butter to firm up slightly, making the filling easier to spread and preventing it from squeezing out too much when you assemble the whoopie pies. It also results in a more stable, less sticky final product.

10. Can I freeze the baked whoopie pies without the filling?
Yes, you can! This is a great way to prep ahead. Once the whoopie pie shells are completely cool, flash freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature and then fill as directed. This makes quick assembly a breeze!