I’m starting to feel it. The sense of looming dread as August begins and summer starts its slow descent toward autumn. Sorry about the gloom, everyone. But as much as I love summer, I hate how short it is! Shakespeare wrote that “summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” Duh, Will. Tell me something I don’t know, okay?
Someday I’m going to live in a warm climate. Someday.
But for now, I just have to do things to keep myself from getting all maudlin. Enter these whoopie pies!
Once a year, I bake a few carrot cake recipes in honor of my sister-in-law. Her birthday is next week, and she loves carrot cake. A lot. So in the next few days I’ll grab a grater and make a homemade carrot cake. That’s how grateful I am that somebody loves my brother! I kid, I kid. He’s very lovable.
For these, I used a mix. Duncan Hines (a.k.a. “Uncle Duncan” in my family) makes a “decadent” series of cake mixes with cool stuff added in, so this is from their carrot cake mix. It has a little raisin and carrot pouch in it that goes in the cake. Cute!
So I modified the instructions on the box, added frosting, and whoopie! Pies, that is.
They were super soft and something to celebrate. And I didn’t even have to convince my son that they were good since there was no chocolate involved. He thought it was pumpkin, though. His palate needs just a bit of work.
So happy almost birthday week to my sister-in-law! Everyone needs a favorite cake flavor (peanut butter brownie, anyone?). Hope you get yours on your birthday!
Whoopie Pies:
- 1 box carrot cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup water
Filling
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 heaping tablespoon cream cheese
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix all the whoopie pie ingredients until a smooth batter forms. Spoon the batter onto the prepared cookie sheets in 1 and 1/2-inch circles, spacing the circles 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes.
While the whoopie pie cakes are cooling, make the frosting. Beat the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer until creamy. Slowly add the powdered sugar, beating after each addition. When the powdered sugar is fully incorporated, add the vanilla and beat again. Finally, add the cream cheese, mixing one last time.
When the cakes are completely cool, either spread the frosting generously between two cakes or pipe it on. You can cut a hole in the corner of a Ziploc bag if you don’t have a pastry bag or piping tip.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
My husband and I always tell ourselves that we’ll live somewhere warm someday too…someday it’ll happen! 🙂 What a fun idea to make whoopie pies! I love the carrot cake flavor, and that filling inside sounds amazing! I think it would be hard to resist eating that straight from the bowl. Have a great weekend, Mir!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Strawberry Pie Bites
I did eat a little from the bowl, Gayle. No shame here! Happy weekend!
I love whoopie pies (and carrot cake) – these look great, Mir! Hope you enjoy your weekend! 🙂
Thanks, Alyssa! You too!
How did it get to be Aug 1 already? Crazy talk. I love whoopie pies but have never made them. These look so soft and yummy. 🙂
Tina @ Tina’s Chic Corner recently posted…Mediterranean Carrot Salad
Thanks, Tina! I am totally sad about August being here already. But I guess that’s how it goes!
I always say I’m going to move where the seasons change some day. I live in FL and it is always summer. Sounds like we want to switch? I love carrot cake AND whoopee pies! Your sister-in-law is a lucky lady. These look quite delicious. ;-D
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Raspberry Cheesecake
I’m so jealous of you! I want summer all the time. But I guess it’s human nature to want what we don’t have. Let’s switch!
Thanks, Michele!
You better believe I’m holding onto summer kicking and screaming. Also, you are such a sweet sister in law!
Erin | The Law Student’s Wife recently posted…What to Eat in Paris
Sigh. Me, too! It’s going away too fast. I’m gonna fight it!
this is a great recipe idea.. love that you used carrot cake mix (means i can be extra lazy when baking), yum!
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Caramelized Pear, Brie and Honey Tartines
I’m all about lazy baking!
Love how easy and delicious these whoopie pies look, and who can resist cream cheese frosting?! Too good! 🙂
Rachel @ Bakerita recently posted…Blackberry Dulce De Leche Crumb Bars
Thanks, Rachel! I can never resist cream cheese frosting!
Hahaha, Will, Uncle Duncan, I like your connections Mir! And you are a pretty awesome sister in law. Carrot cake is a great mix up from chocolate and lemon and sandwich desserts are so fun! Oh my, I’m hanging onto summer although half of me is like BRING ON THE PUMPKIN and the other half of me is no, please no school 🙂
Mary Frances recently posted…{Vegan} Key Lime Coconut Cinnamon Rolls
I do have great connections! 🙂
Man, I love teaching, but I love warm weather too. Pumpkin can wait!
I love this idea! I like to have more frosting to cake ratio this way…yum yum! Thanks for coming over and sharing at Happiness is Homemade link party hope to see you back next time!
Thanks! It’s an important ratio, isn’t it?
Great link party!
I am ready for cooler temps. But I hate to lose summer because I love having fresh veggies from our wonderful veggie garden. These look yummy, carrot cake is one of my favorite things. Hugs!
Katherines Corner recently posted…Life Happens
Fresh veggies and fruits are the best. Thanks, Katie!
Yum! I love carrot cake!!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting recently posted…Monthly Mixer- July
Thanks, Julianne!
I want theseeeee! I love to induce carrot into otherwise unexpected recipes…pancakes, whoopie pies…you get the picture 😉 I was thinking about making some whoopies today! Such a great idea. And P.S. I am 100% dreading the fall…natural light falls and it gets so cold out that gloves become necessary. Summer is too short lived!
Tash recently posted…The most heavenly Carrot Cake of all time – Frosted with cream cheese and pecans
I’m so glad I’m not alone! Everyone is rushing the pumpkin and I want it to stay hot!
Thanks, Tash!
Yes, please, to a warmer climate! Im not ready for colder temps! I’m loving these carrot cake whoopie pies! They look fabulous! 🙂
Jocelyn@Brucrewlife recently posted…Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Thanks! Anything to keep the cold away!