If you’re looking for a delightful treat that brings a burst of fun, color, and sweetness to your Easter celebration, this Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe is exactly what you need. These fluffy, sprinkle-studded cake cookies sandwich a luscious pink vanilla frosting that is simply irresistible. Perfect for sharing with family or gifting to friends, these whoopie pies strike the ideal balance of light texture and vibrant flavor, making them a festive favorite that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe plays a key role in building its signature texture, flavor, and festive look. From the soft cake mix that forms the base to the sprinkles that add cheerful pops of color, each element works in harmony to make these whoopie pies irresistibly fun.
- French vanilla cake mix: Provides a rich, tender crumb that’s perfect for whoopie pies.
- Large egg: Helps bind the dough together and adds moisture to keep it soft.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup): Adds richness without overpowering the vanilla flavor.
- Easter sprinkles (3 cups): Brightens the dough with colorful speckles for that festive touch.
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup for frosting): Makes the frosting creamy and luscious.
- Powdered sugar (2 ½ cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to fluffy perfection.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
- Heavy whipping cream (2 tbsp): Lightens the frosting for easy spreading and a silky finish.
- Pink gel food coloring: Creates a charming pastel frosting that screams springtime celebrations.
How to Make Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This step ensures your whoopie pies don’t stick and your cleanup is a breeze — something always worth appreciating in baking!
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Using a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, blend the french vanilla cake mix, egg, and ½ cup of unsalted butter together. Beat everything until a soft, cohesive dough forms. You’re looking for a texture that’s not too stiff but easy to work with.
Step 3: Add Sprinkles to the Dough
Gently fold in 1 cup of your Easter sprinkles to the dough. Stir carefully so the colors stay vibrant and evenly distributed without breaking up the sprinkles. This is what gives the whoopie pies that festive look.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Grab a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough and roll each portion into a ball. Pour your remaining sprinkles into a shallow bowl, then roll each dough ball in the sprinkles, coating them thoroughly. It’s like giving your whoopie pies their colorful jacket!
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Place your sprinkle-coated dough balls on the prepared sheets, spacing them well to allow for expansion. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a lovely light golden shade. Keep a close eye to avoid overbaking, which can dry them out.
Step 6: Cool the Cookies
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheets themselves. Cooling is crucial here because warm cookies will cause the frosting to melt and lose its shape.
Step 7: Prepare the Frosting
Whip up the frosting by combining the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream, and a few drops of pink gel food coloring in your mixer. Beat until the frosting is creamy, smooth, and holds a soft peak — perfect for sandwiching.
Step 8: Assemble the Whoopie Pies
Pair the cookies by size and shape for the best fit. Pipe a generous dollop of your pink vanilla frosting onto the flat side of one cookie, then gently press another on top to create a sandwich. Voilà , your Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe has come to life!
How to Serve Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, consider dusting the edges of your whoopie pies with additional sprinkles or edible glitter. Fresh edible flowers or a light dusting of powdered sugar can also elevate their presentation beautifully for any Easter gathering.
Side Dishes
Serve these whoopie pies alongside a fresh fruit salad or a light lemonade for a refreshing balance. Their sweetness complements berries and citrus drinks perfectly, making for a delightful spread that feels both indulgent and bright.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe on a tiered stand to create an inviting dessert centerpiece. Wrapping each pie in decorative parchment with a ribbon also turns them into perfect take-home treats or party favors that guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their soft texture. If keeping longer, refrigeration is a better option, but let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezing
This Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe freezes wonderfully! Wrap individual pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Reheating
For a fresh-out-of-the-oven feel, warm the whoopie pies briefly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This softens the cake and revitalizes the creamy frosting without melting it too much.
FAQs
Can I substitute the cake mix for a homemade version?
Absolutely! While the box mix makes this Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe quick and easy, using a homemade vanilla or white cake batter adds a personalized touch. Just ensure your batter is thick enough to roll and hold sprinkles.
What can I use if I don’t have pink gel food coloring?
You can use any type of food coloring you have, but gel works best for vibrant color without changing frosting consistency. If you want a natural alternative, a bit of beet juice or strawberry puree can tint the frosting softly.
Are whoopie pies gluten-free friendly?
The recipe here uses regular cake mix, but you can substitute a gluten-free cake mix if needed. Just check that it behaves similarly in texture for best results with the dough and baking time.
Can I make these without the sprinkles?
Definitely! The sprinkles add a fun, festive touch, especially for Easter, but if you prefer a more classic look, the dough and frosting are delicious on their own. You might dust with powdered sugar instead to keep it pretty.
How do I keep the whoopie pies from getting soggy?
Cooling the cookies completely before frosting is key, as is proper storage. Avoid stacking the pies until the frosting has set a bit to prevent slipping and sogginess. Airtight containers help keep moisture balanced.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope this Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine. These pies are the perfect combination of soft, sweet, and colorful — just what a holiday treat should be. Happy baking, and may your Easter be filled with delicious moments shared alongside the ones you love!
Print
Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter Whoopie Pies are a delightful springtime treat featuring soft vanilla cake cookies studded and coated with colorful Easter sprinkles, sandwiched with a creamy pink vanilla frosting. Perfect for festive celebrations, they combine a fun and vibrant look with a deliciously tender texture and sweet, smooth filling.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box French vanilla cake mix
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups Easter sprinkles
Vanilla Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- Pink gel food coloring (a few drops)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and help with cleanup.
- Mix the dough: In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the French vanilla cake mix, egg, and ½ cup of unsalted butter. Beat until a soft, well-incorporated dough forms.
- Add sprinkles to the dough: Gently fold 1 cup of Easter sprinkles into the dough, distributing them evenly but carefully to avoid melting or bruising the sprinkles.
- Shape the cookies: Using a small cookie scoop, portion the dough into balls. Place the remaining 2 cups of sprinkles in a bowl and roll each dough ball through the sprinkles until thoroughly coated.
- Bake the cookies: Arrange the sprinkle-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn lightly golden.
- Cool the cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets to firm up and be ready for assembling.
- Prepare the frosting: In a standing mixer, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream, and a few drops of pink gel food coloring until creamy and fluffy, capable of holding peaks.
- Assemble the whoopie pies: Match up the cooled cookies in pairs of similar size. Pipe a generous amount of pink vanilla frosting onto the flat side of one cookie, then gently press another cookie flat side down on top to create a whoopie pie sandwich.
Notes
- Make sure to cool the cookies completely before assembling to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can use any color gel food coloring to customize the frosting.
- Store the assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- If you want a firmer frosting, chill it briefly before assembling.
- Using parchment or silicone mats helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.
