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Candy Cane Whoopie Pies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 66 reviews

Candy Cane Whoopie Pies are festive chocolate sandwich cookies filled with a creamy peppermint frosting and coated with crushed candy canes for a delightful holiday treat. Soft, fudgy, and bursting with holiday flavors, these whoopie pies are perfect for Christmas celebrations and gifting.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

  • 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao), finely chopped
  • 2 1/4 c. (270 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 c. (60 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 c. (160 g) packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 c. (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Frosting

  • 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 4 c. (480 g) confectioners’ sugar, divided
  • 1 tbsp. water
  • 1 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
  • 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • Red gel food coloring
  • 12 mini candy canes, finely crushed

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chocolate: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Place finely chopped bittersweet chocolate in a small heatproof bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth, about 1 minute total. Let the chocolate cool.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Chocolate: Add eggs and pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until just combined. Then, beat in the cooled melted chocolate until incorporated.
  5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until just combined, ensuring not to overmix.
  6. Form Cookies: Drop level tablespoons of the cookie dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them adequately. You should be able to fit 12 to 16 cookie rounds per sheet and produce about 64 cookies in total.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are set and the centers look mostly done, about 6 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with any remaining dough.
  8. Prepare Peppermint Frosting: In the stand mixer bowl with the paddle attachment, beat 1 cup of unsalted butter on medium speed until smooth. Add half of the confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth. Then, add water, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt, and continue to beat until smooth.
  9. Finish Frosting: Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar and beat until the frosting is smooth. If frosting is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of water. Add one drop of red gel food coloring and beat to combine, adding more drops until the desired shade of red is achieved.
  10. Assemble Whoopie Pies: Turn half of the cooled cookies smooth side up. Spread or pipe the peppermint frosting onto these smooth sides, then top with the remaining cookies to form sandwiches.
  11. Decorate with Candy Canes: Place the finely crushed mini candy canes on a plate. Roll the sides of each cookie sandwich in the crushed candy canes so they adhere to the frosting, creating a festive finish.

Notes

  • For best results, use high-quality bittersweet chocolate with 70% cacao.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cookies soft and tender.
  • If frosting is too stiff, add water gradually, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
  • Store whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely before assembling to prevent frosting from melting.

Keywords: candy cane whoopie pies, chocolate peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas desserts, whoopie pies with peppermint frosting

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/candy-cane-whoopie-pies-recipe/