Who doesn’t love a cozy, spiced treat during the colder months? The Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling are the perfect way to bring the warmth of gingerbread cookies into a fun, sandwich-style dessert. These fluffy, spiced cookies, paired with a creamy, tangy filling, make for a sweet indulgence that’s perfect for holidays or any chilly day. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking to bake something festive for yourself, this recipe delivers the ideal balance of flavor, texture, and warmth.
What Are Gingerbread Whoopie Pies?
At its core, a whoopie pie is a sandwich made from two soft cookies, often filled with a sweet and creamy filling. The gingerbread variety takes inspiration from the classic gingerbread cookie, packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. This is then paired with a luscious cream cheese filling that brings a cool, tangy contrast to the spiced cookies, creating the perfect flavor profile.
In this Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling recipe, we add a touch of molasses to deepen the flavor and give the cookies their characteristic dark color. These delightful pies not only offer great flavor but also a fun texture combination: soft, chewy cookies contrasted by the smooth, sweet cream cheese filling.
The Origin of Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
The whoopie pie has an interesting history. Though its precise origins are debated, many believe the treat comes from the Pennsylvania Amish community, where they were often made as a special treat. The gingerbread variation of the whoopie pie likely came about as bakers experimented with different flavors of cookies to create festive treats, particularly during the holiday season. The addition of the cream cheese filling gives it a rich, velvety texture, making it a perfect dessert for the colder months when spices like ginger and cinnamon are most popular.
Ingredients for Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
For the Gingerbread Cookies
To make the gingerbread cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Filling
For the sweet and tangy filling, you’ll need:
- 4 oz (½ block) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions for Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
1. Make the Gingerbread Cookie Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt until evenly mixed.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, and continue beating until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients and beat until just combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too soft to work with, chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
2. Bake the Gingerbread Cookies
- Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie and place them onto your prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between each cookie, as they will spread a bit while baking.
- Bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes, or until they are puffed up and set at the edges. The cookies should still look soft in the center but should not be raw.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures the cookies hold their shape and don’t crumble when assembling.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, continuing to beat until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
- If the filling is too soft to spread, place it in the refrigerator for about 15–20 minutes to firm up before assembling your whoopie pies.
4. Assemble the Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
- Match the cooled cookies by size so that you can pair them up evenly.
- Spread or pipe about 1–2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Gently place another cookie on top of the filling, pressing lightly to sandwich the cookies together. Make sure the filling is evenly spread out.
Variations of Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
While the classic Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling are irresistible, here are a few variations you can try to switch things up:
- Chocolate Ganache Filling: Swap out the cream cheese filling for a rich chocolate ganache. Simply heat some heavy cream and pour it over chopped dark chocolate. Stir until smooth, then let it cool and thicken before spreading it onto your cookies.
- Spiced Cream Cheese Filling: Add a bit more of the spices from the cookie dough, like cinnamon or ginger, to the cream cheese filling for an extra burst of flavor.
- Mini Whoopie Pies: Make mini versions of these pies by scooping smaller amounts of dough and assembling them as bite-sized treats.
FAQs About The Recipe
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! If you’re short on time, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
2. How long do Gingerbread Whoopie Pies last?
These pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
3. Can I freeze Gingerbread Whoopie Pies?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled whoopie pies. Wrap each pie tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. To thaw, simply let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
4. Can I use store-bought cream cheese frosting?
While store-bought frosting will work in a pinch, homemade cream cheese filling is highly recommended for the best flavor and texture. It’s easy to make and adds a fresher, more authentic taste to your whoopie pies.
Conclusion
The Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling are a must-try for any holiday gathering or when you’re craving a cozy, spiced treat. The combination of soft, flavorful gingerbread cookies with the creamy, tangy filling is nothing short of perfection. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a delightful dessert that will wow your friends and family. Whether you stick to the original recipe or get creative with variations, these whoopie pies will surely become a holiday favorite. So go ahead, bake a batch today, and enjoy the warmth and sweetness of this festive dessert!
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Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling: A Cozy, Festive Treat for the Holidays
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 whoopie pies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
At its core, a whoopie pie is a sandwich made from two soft cookies, often filled with a sweet and creamy filling. The gingerbread variety takes inspiration from the classic gingerbread cookie, packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. This is then paired with a luscious cream cheese filling that brings a cool, tangy contrast to the spiced cookies, creating the perfect flavor profile.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookies
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
¼ cup molasses
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Filling
4 oz (½ block) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
🧁 1. Make the Gingerbread Cookie Batter
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together until creamy (about 2 minutes).
Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined. The dough will be soft but not sticky.
🍥 2. Bake
Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie onto prepared sheets (leave 2 inches apart).
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until puffed and set at the edges.
Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
🧈 3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, then beat until light and creamy.
If too soft, chill for 15–20 minutes before assembling.
🍪 4. Assemble
Match cookies by size.
Spread or pipe about 1–2 tablespoons of filling onto the flat side of one cookie.
Top with another cookie and gently press to sandwich.
Notes
For an extra festive touch, dust the whoopie pies with powdered sugar or drizzle a bit of white chocolate on top. You can also chill them for 30 minutes before serving for a firmer texture and even richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 whoopie pie
- Calories: 290
Keywords: Gingerbread Cookies, Whoopie Pies, Holiday Whoopie Pies, Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
