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Cinnamon Apple Cider Whoopie Pies

Incredibly soft, cakey spiced cookies with intense apple cider flavor, sandwiched with a cloud of fluffy vanilla buttercream.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 12 whoopie pies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

Cinnamon Apple Cider Cookies
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp ground ginger
  • 0.125 tsp ground cloves
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.75 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup reduced apple cider cooled, from 1 cup original
Creamy Vanilla Filling
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2.5 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

  1. Reduce 1 cup apple cider in a small saucepan over simmer for 15-20 min until it measures 1/2 cup. Cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  4. In a stand mixer, beat softened butter and brown sugar on med-high for 3-4 mins until light and fluffy.
  5. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  6. With mixer on low, add 1/3 of dry ingredients, mix, then add all the cooled reduced cider. Mix, then add remaining dry ingredients until just combined.
  7. Scoop 1.5-tbsp portions of batter onto baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly if desired.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set and edges are just golden. Cool on sheet 5 mins, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For filling, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar on low speed. Add vanilla, milk, and salt. Beat on med-high for 3-4 mins until light and fluffy.
  10. Pipe or spread filling onto flat side of half the cookies. Top with matching cookies to form sandwiches.

Notes

Reduced apple cider must be cooled to room temperature before using. Cookies are very soft when warm; handle carefully. Assembled whoopie pies can be stored in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days.