Patriotic Whoopie Pies (Printable version)
Cocoa cake sandwiches with marshmallow buttercream, tinted red and blue and rolled in patriotic sprinkles.
# What You'll Need:
→ Whoopie Pie Cakes
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 cup buttermilk
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Filling
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 1 jar marshmallow creme (7 ounces)
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration
15 - Red food coloring
16 - Blue food coloring
17 - Patriotic sprinkles (red, white, and blue)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg and blend until incorporated.
04 - Add buttermilk and vanilla extract to the wet mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until a smooth batter forms.
05 - Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop 24 equal portions of batter onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between each.
06 - Bake for 10–12 minutes or until cakes are set and spring back when gently pressed. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
07 - In a clean bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, marshmallow creme, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until filling is light and fluffy.
08 - Divide filling evenly into three bowls. Leave one portion plain, tint the second with red food coloring, and the third with blue food coloring.
09 - Pipe or spoon a layer of filling onto the flat side of 12 cakes. Top with the remaining cakes to form sandwiches.
10 - Roll the edges in patriotic red, white, and blue sprinkles, or decorate tops as desired for a festive finish.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The oohs and aahs as you unveil a plate of these colorful treats are almost as sweet as the whoopie pies themselves.
- From their pillowy texture to the playful filling, these bites have become my secret weapon for making any patriotic holiday feel like a true celebration.
02 -
- Overbaking leaves you with frisbees instead of fluffy cakes—I learned to err on the side of underbaked.
- Chilling the assembled whoopie pies firms the filling just enough so they don’t slide apart during the big reveal.
03 -
- Always let cakes cool completely before filling, or the frosting melts right off (trust me).
- Use a piping bag for neater, thicker filling layers that look party-perfect every time.