Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel Filling are the perfect autumn treat, combining the warm spices of apple cider with soft, cake-like cookies and a luscious caramel filling. These handheld delights bring cozy fall flavors together in a bite-sized dessert that’s great for seasonal gatherings, bake sales, or just indulging in a little comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of fall flavors – Warm apple cider, cinnamon, and caramel create the perfect seasonal dessert.
- Soft and fluffy texture – These cookies are light, moist, and cake-like.
- Decadent caramel filling – A creamy, rich caramel filling ties everything together.
- Great for sharing – Whoopie pies are the perfect handheld treat.
- Customizable – Swap the filling or add mix-ins for a unique twist.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies:
- Apple cider (reduced for concentrated flavor)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Buttermilk
For the Caramel Filling:
- Soft caramels (melted) or homemade caramel
- Heavy cream
- Powdered sugar
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Directions
Make the Cookies:
- Reduce the Apple Cider
- In a saucepan, simmer apple cider over medium heat until reduced to about ½ cup. Let cool.
- Prepare the Dough
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg, vanilla, and reduced apple cider.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Bake the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the sheets, spacing them apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the tops spring back when touched.
- Let cool completely before filling.
Make the Caramel Filling:
- Melt the Caramel
- Heat soft caramels with heavy cream in the microwave or on the stovetop until smooth. Let cool slightly.
- Make the Buttercream
- Beat butter until fluffy, then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Slowly add the melted caramel, mixing until smooth.
- Assemble the Whoopie Pies
- Spread or pipe caramel filling onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Top with another cookie to create a sandwich.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 12 whoopie pies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Cooling Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
Variations
- Salted Caramel Filling – Sprinkle flaky sea salt on the caramel for a sweet-salty twist.
- Cream Cheese Caramel Frosting – Mix softened cream cheese into the filling for a tangy contrast.
- Maple Glaze Drizzle – Drizzle maple glaze on top for extra fall flavor.
- Nutty Crunch – Add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie batter.
- Gluten-Free Version – Use a gluten-free flour blend.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: Keeps fresh for up to a week in the fridge.
- Freezing: Freeze unfilled cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw before adding filling.
- Reheating: Let refrigerated whoopie pies sit at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes, but thick caramel works best for the filling.
How do I keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.
What if my caramel filling is too runny?
Let it cool slightly before spreading, or add more powdered sugar for thickness.
Can I make mini whoopie pies?
Yes, use a smaller scoop and adjust the baking time.
What can I serve with these?
They pair well with hot apple cider, tea, or coffee.
Can I add apples to the cookies?
Finely diced apples can be mixed into the batter for extra texture.
How do I get evenly shaped cookies?
Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform sizes.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free butter, coconut milk, and a vegan caramel alternative.
Can I drizzle chocolate over the top?
Yes, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate adds a delicious finishing touch.
Conclusion
Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel Filling are the perfect autumn-inspired dessert. With their soft, spiced cookies
PrintApple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel Filling
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 whoopie pies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Fall Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies are soft, cake-like cookies infused with spiced apple cider and warm cinnamon. Sandwiched with a rich caramel buttercream filling, they’re the ultimate cozy fall treat! Perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or hot cider.
Ingredients
- For the Apple Cider Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup reduced apple cider (see notes)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- For the Caramel Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make the Apple Cider Cookies:
- Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Reduce the Apple Cider:
- In a small saucepan, simmer 1 cup of apple cider over medium heat until reduced to ½ cup.
- Let cool completely before using.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Mix the Batter:
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with reduced apple cider and buttermilk until just combined.
- Scoop & Bake:
- Drop tablespoon-sized scoops onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set and centers are soft.
- Cool completely before assembling.
- Make the Caramel Filling:
- Beat the Butter:
- In a bowl, beat butter until creamy.
- Add Sugar & Caramel:
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar, followed by caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Whoopie Pies:
- Pair the Cookies:
- Match cookies into pairs of similar size.
- Fill & Sandwich:
- Pipe or spread caramel filling onto one cookie.
- Top with another cookie and gently press together.
- Optional Drizzle:
- Drizzle with extra caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar for decoration.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of apple pie spice to the batter.
- Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Want a salted caramel version? Use salted caramel sauce for a sweet-salty contrast!
- Recipe Details
Nutrition
- Calories: ~280
- Sugar: ~26g
- Sodium: ~120mg
- Fat: ~12g
- Saturated Fat: ~7g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~4g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~38g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~2g
- Cholesterol: ~40mg
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