Apple Cider Whoopie Pies are the ultimate fall indulgence, soft, spiced cookies infused with concentrated apple cider and filled with rich, creamy caramel. This cozy dessert captures the flavors of autumn in every bite, making it perfect for seasonal gatherings, bake sales, or a weekend treat.
The tender cookie exterior pairs perfectly with the sweet, buttery filling, offering a balance of spice and decadence. Whether you’re celebrating apple-picking season or simply craving a taste of fall, these whoopie pies are sure to impress. Follow our step-by-step recipe to create a batch that will have everyone asking for seconds.
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What is Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies?
Apple Cider Whoopie Pies… What’s in a name? A whole lot of deliciousness, that’s what! Why “Whoopie”? Did someone shout with joy upon first tasting one? Was it a celebratory treat after a long day of apple picking? We may never know the true origin of this delightful name. Some say it’s an Amish tradition, a sweet surprise hidden in lunchboxes. Others whisper tales of farmers letting out a “Whoopie!” after a hard day’s work, rewarded with these fluffy delights.
Whoopie pie sounds more fun than “creme filled cookie” anyway – especially dipped in caramel so, we are ok with that! Whatever the story, one thing is certain: these apple cider-infused cookies, hugging a creamy caramel filling, are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. They say the way to a heart is through their stomach. With each bite of these cakes, you’ll see! So, grab your apron, preheat that oven, and experience the utter bliss of creating your own batch of Whoopie magic!
Key Ingredients for Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies
Here’s everything you’ll need to bake up a batch of these autumnal delights:
For the Cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup apple cider, reduced to ¼ cup (see instructions below)
For the Caramel Filling:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
How to Make Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies
These Apple Cider Whoopie Pies are surprisingly easy to make, resulting in a satisfyingly fluffy and flavourful treat that perfectly captures the essence of fall.
The creamy caramel filling adds a delightful burst of sweetness that complements the spiced apple cider cookies beautifully. The total preparation time is around 45 minutes, including baking and assembly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Reduce Apple Cider:
- In a small saucepan, bring ¾ cup of apple cider to a simmer over medium heat.
- Continue simmering until the cider is reduced down to about ¼ cup, about 10-15 minutes. This concentrates the apple flavor. Set aside to cool.
Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the reduced apple cider. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Bake the Cookies:
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Caramel Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the unwrapped caramel candies until melted and smooth.
- Let cool slightly to medium thickness.
Assemble the Whoopie Pies:
Once both cookies and caramel have cooled to a reasonable temperature, flip approximately half of the cookies over with the smooth, flat side facing upward.
Spoon or pipe a generous amount of caramel filling onto the flat side of the upside-down cookies.
Top with another dough disc to create a sandwich. Repeat the process until all are assembled.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies
If you’re searching for a unique and delicious fall dessert, these Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies are exactly what you need. The combination of the spiced apple cider flavour in the cookies and the rich, creamy caramel filling are so divine that you won’t be able to stop at just one. Plus, baking these at home is way more economical than buying them from a bakery, and you get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what ingredients went into them.
The rich caramel filling elevates these Whoopie Pies to something truly special, and the spices give them an addictively warm hint along with the burst of flavor from reduction of apple cider. Compared to plain chocolate Whoopie Pies, these Apple Cider ones have a unique seasonal flavour. Try it yourself!
What to Serve Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies With
These Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies are fantastic on their own, but they also pair well with other fall-themed treats. Serve them alongside a warm cup of spiced apple cider or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert.
A slice of cinnamon swirl bread or pumpkin pie, or even a cheese board, with apples and brie makes a delightful ending to a autumn celebration.
Top Tips for Perfecting Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough will result in tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For easier handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping.
- Evenly Sized Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure that all the cookies are the same size, so they bake evenly.
- Apple Cider Reduction: Make sure to reduce the apple cider to concentrate the flavor.
- Watch the Baking Time: Overbaking will result in dry cookies. Bake until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Salted Caramel: Try adding some sea salt to the caramel to make it more complex and delicious.
- Spiced Filling: Incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, or other fall spices into your caramel or a layer of ganache will create a harmonious aroma.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing:
- Cookies: Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Filled Whoopie Pies: Filled Whoopie Pies should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Reheating:
- From Refrigerated: Let the filled Whoopie Pies come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
- From Frozen: Thaw the frozen cookies in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
Final Thoughts
These Apple Cider Whoopie Pies are a sweet way to celebrate the cozy flavors of fall, combining spiced cookies and creamy caramel for a treat that’s impossible to resist. If you loved this recipe, you might also enjoy exploring more delicious creations from our kitchen.
Try the light and airy Chantilly Lili recipe, the fun and portable Cake in a Jar, or the savory Air Fryer Cheesy Taco Bombs. For pudding lovers, our creamy Pudding with Egg and Cornstarch is a must-try. And if you can’t get enough whoopie pies, don’t miss our indulgent Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies.
Follow us for more tasty ideas on Medium and get inspired on Pinterest.
FAQs
Can I use regular apple juice instead of apple cider?
For best results, use apple cider, as it has a richer, more concentrated apple flavor.
Can I make the cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Prepare the filling when you’re ready to assemble the Whoopie Pies.
Can I use a different filling?
Absolutely! You can use cream cheese frosting, vanilla buttercream, or any other filling you like.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading. Also, make sure your butter isn’t too soft when creaming it with the sugar.
Apple Cider Whoopie Pies
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 whoopie pies 1x
Description
Soft, spiced apple cider cookies sandwiched together with a rich, creamy caramel filling — a sweet fall treat sure to bring a smile with every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup apple cider, reduced to ¼ cup
- 1 cup unsalted butter (for filling)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar (for filling)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)
- 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, simmer ¾ cup apple cider over medium heat until reduced to about ¼ cup, 10–15 minutes. Cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and reduced cider to wet ingredients, starting and ending with dry. Mix until just combined.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on sheets briefly, then transfer to a wire rack.
- For filling: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook until dissolved, 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in cream and vanilla, simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir in caramel candies until melted and smooth. Cool slightly.
- To assemble: Flip half the cookies, pipe or spoon filling onto flat side, top with another cookie to sandwich.
Notes
Ensure cider is fully reduced for concentrated flavor. Filling should be thick enough to hold but still spreadable.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 whoopie pie
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
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