for me few things scream "summer!" like s'mores. what's not to love about this quintessential campfire treat. there are so many layers of flavors and textures to love! from the fires roasted marshmallow, to the melted chocolate and crunchy graham crackers. these s'mores whoopie pies take the structure of this classic cake-like cookie and brings in those loved s'mores textures. in short, these are about to be your new go-to summertime treat!
what are whoopie pies?
whoopie pies are an American dessert make from two round pieces of cake sandwiched with a creaming filling or frosting. these delightful little "cookies" are thought to have originated in the northeast. several states claim to have invented the first! I had my first whoopie pie while living in Brooklyn, NY. these whoopie pies instantly took me back to stopping by my favorite neighborhood bakery and buying too many desserts for weekend snacking! needless to say, my family will be enjoying these treats all summer!
these whoopie pies are best described as
- soft
- cake like
- chocolate-y
- creamy
- perfectly sweet
- marshmallow-y
- with crunchy graham crackers
- like a cross between a whoopie pie and a s'more!
- hence the name: s'mores whoopie pies!
the short-ish and sweet ingredient list
grab these key s'mores ingredients when you head to the store
- all purpose flour
- graham crackers
- salt
- baking soda and powder
- unsalted butter
- salted butter
- light brown sugar
- dutch process cocoa powder
- I love and use this brand all the time!
- espresso powder
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- milk
- powdered sugar
- marshmallow fluff/creme
from these ingredients you will make the chocolate whoopie "cakes," the marshmallow creme filling and the optional graham cracker topping.
special baking tools
these are the recommended kitchen tools and equipment you'll need to get the best results for these s'mores whoopie pies
- stand mixer with paddle attachment
- or electric hand mixer with beaters
- small or medium cookie scoop
- large aluminum baking sheets
- cooling racks
- parchment paper
- icing bag or plastic bag
- for piping the filling on the cookie
- you can also use a spoon and spread it around
tips and tricks for the most delicious whoopie pies
substitutions: these s'mores whoopie pies could potentially be made with a box cake mix. I have not tested this. but, while researching various kinds of whoopie pies, I found MANY recipes that utilized this. I would say try it if you want. however, I would make sure the batter resembles a thick chocolate mousse before baking. otherwise, the batter may not keep the shape of a cookie.
tips and tricks for this recipe:
- read the recipe all the way through before starting
- measure out all the ingredients using a food scale
- this is the best way to achieve the same results
- makes cleaning up a breeze!
- use room temperature ingredients to mix
- chill the batter
- when tested, the room temperature batter spread
- the chilled batter was thicker, held its shape better and gave a slight dome to the cookies
- cool the cakes on the baking sheet for only 5-10 minutes
- cakes should offer little resistance, but be gentle when pulling them away from the parchment paper
- a spatula helps with this
- completely cool the cakes on a cooling rack
- DO NOT stack
- the cakes will stick to each other
- toasting the marshmallow creme (very optional)
- pour all the creme into a heat proof mixing bowl
- using a culinary torch, toast the creme to desired color ( be careful of the flames)
- finish the filling as written
- completes the "campfire taste"
- I did not test this as part of the filling, but did torch the creme to make sure it does work!
- if needed, add more powdered sugar to the filling
- the filling is pretty "runny" as written
- pour the filling into a plastic bag or frosting bag and chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes OR
- add extra powdered sugar
- the additional graham cracker crumbles are optional
- but add a nice textural contrast
- store the s'mores whoopie pies in a single layer (no stacking if possible) in the fridge until ready to serve
- works. eat if serving the same day as being made
- if not, wrap each pie individually and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer
more summer recipes to love!
- blackberry tiramisu icebox cake
- no bake margarita pie
- small batch strawberry cupcakes
- peach buckwheat crumble bars
- s'mores tahini cookie bars
s'mores whoopie pies
Equipment
- food processor, optional but recommended
- stand mixer with paddle attachment or electric hand mixer with beaters
- large baking sheets (2)
- parchment paper
- medium cookie scoop (about 2 tbsp)
- cooling rack (2)
Ingredients
whoopie pie cakes
- 1 ¾ c (210g) all purpose flour
- ½ c (55g) graham crackers, processed into very small crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ c (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¼ c (250g) light brown sugar
- ½ c (43g) dutch process cocoa powder
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 1 (57g) large egg, room temperature
- 1 (18g) large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
- 1 c (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
marshmallow filling
- ½ c (113g) salted butter, room temperature sub 1:1 with unsalted + ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tbsp (57g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ - 2 c (188-250) powdered sugar, sifted
- 10-11 oz. marshmallow fluff about 1 ½ (7 oz.) containers
- 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract
- 3-4 "sheets" of graham crackers for topping, optional
Instructions
whoopie pie cakes
- Using a food processor, process the graham crackers until a flour like consistency (very fine crumbs). Pour into a medium sized mixing bowl. Whisk together the ground graham crackers, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Sift in the cocoa powder and espresso powder. Beat on low until just incorporated. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed until smoothand well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom as needed. Add the egg and yolk, beat on medium speed until smooth, about 30 - 60 seconds. Scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl.
- By hand or on the lowest setting on the mixer: In this order, add the milk and dry ingredients to the wet : dry, milk, dry, milk, dry. Mix each time until just incorporated. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is mixing well. The batter will look pretty liquidy. Place the batter in the fridge to chill for about 45-60 minutes. The batter is ready when it has the consitency of thick chocolate mousse. It should easily hold its shape when scooped.
- 30 minutes before you plan to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a small (2 tbsp) cookie scoop, drop scoops of cookie batter onto the line baking sheet about 2-3" apart. Place the remaining batter back in the fridge. Bake the first sheet of cakes on the middle rack of a 375F (190 C) oven for 14-15 minutes. The cookies will spread and puff a little in the center. The edges will look set. A finger lightly pressed into the center of a "cookie" will bounce back. If not, bake 1-2 minutes longer until this happens.
- Place the baking sheet on a cooling rack to cool for 5 -10 minutes or until lukewarm to the touch. Gently seperate the cookies from the baking sheet using a spatula. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to fully cool.
marshmallow filling
- In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, on medium speed, beat the butter, 1 ½ c powdered sugar and fluff and vanilla together until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust flavors or textures as needed (eg, more powdered sugar, vanilla or salt). If anything is added, beat the mixture for an additional 60 seconds or until well combined.
- The filling is easiest to pipe onto the cookies when chilled in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. If desired, scoop the marshmallow filling into a frosting bag or zip lock bag.
Assembling the whoopie pies
- Turn ½ of the cooled cakes with the bottom of the cookie facing up. Apply the filling. Top the filling with crushed graham crackers, if desired (I recommend this!). Top each frosted cake with another cake "cookie." Gently press down. Enjoy!
Notes
- To freeze, wrap each whoopie pie individually in wax paper. Place the wrapped whoopie pies in a freezer proof container. To serve, set out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
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Make sure to tag me on instagram @olivesnthyme. For more delicious dessert ideas follow me on pinterest
make sure to tag me on instagram @olivesnthyme. for more delicious dessert ideas follow me on pinterest.
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