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Vanilla whoopie pie recipe with buttercream filling

4 vanilla whoopie pie stacked over each other

I am very excited to share one of my favorite treats for birthday parties - vanilla whoopie pie. A delightful take on everyone's favorite chocolate whoopie pies. These delicious whoopie pies are nothing but tender, cake-like vanilla cookies filled with creamy vanilla buttercream.

These bite-sized treats are ideal for any occasion, whether it's a kid's night out or any other event or gathering, or your next bake sale. This a great alternative to vanilla cupcakes frosted with vanilla buttercream or layered vanilla cake and will surely satisfy your cravings.

Let's not wait any further and make them right away.

Why you will love this vanilla whoopie pie?

9 individual vanilla whoopie pie are stacked on marble surface
Stacked vanilla whoopie pie
  1. Quick and easy to make treat
  2. A perfect bite-sized dessert
  3. Kids favorite
  4. Perfect for any occasion
  5. Customizable

How to make a vanilla whoopie pie recipe?

I have provided step-by-step recipe below but let's quickly understand the overview.

Sr. No.Steps
1Make cake-like vanilla cookies
2Prepare creamy filling
3Assemble, decorate, and Serve
How to make vanilla whoopie pie - overview

Vanilla whoopie pie ingredients

Vanilla cake ingredients

vanilla whoopie pie ingredients placed on a marble surface
Vanilla whoopie pie ingredients

Here is a list of ingredients required for vanilla cake. I am sure you will have all of these items in your pantry. If not, you will easily get them in your local grocery store.

Milk - Use full-fat milk. This adds moisture to the muffins. Please stay away from low-fat milk as it can affect the taste and texture of cookies.

Lemon juice - You can either use store-bought or homemade lemon juice.

All-purpose flour - Any brand of plain flour will work. This gives our cookies a texture and structure.

Baking powder - This will give a perfect rise to our little whoopie pies. Just a teaspoon is enough.

Baking soda - Another leavening agent that reacts with lemon juice and helps the whoopie pies rise.

Salt - As always, little bit of salt is needed to enhance any dessert. Do not skip unless you are using salted butter.

Butter - Use your favorite unsalted butter. If you are using salted butter then please skip out the salt otherwise it will become too salty.

Sugar - Use regular caster sugar or granulated sugar. I would not recommend using icing sugar or powdered sugar here.

Egg - Use a free-range large egg. Make sure it is at room temperature

Vanilla extract - Use either pure vanilla extract or vanilla imitation based on your choice or what is available in the pantry. Just a teaspoon of vanilla extract is more than enough to achieve that deep vanilla flavor.

Buttercream ingredients

all of the ingredients to make American buttercream placed on marble surface
American buttercream ingredients

Here is a list of ingredients for the vanilla filling 

Unsalted butter - I prefer unsalted butter since I can control the amount of salt that goes into the recipe but if you do not have any, use regular salted butter.

Icing sugar - You can get this in any grocery store as icing sugar, powdered sugar, or confectioners sugar. Although you can make your homemade powdered sugar, I prefer to use store-bought for smooth buttercream consistency.

Vanilla extract - Use either vanilla extract or vanilla imitation. Both will work here.

Please note that this is just a list of ingredients. Please refer to the recipe card for exact measurements.

Any substitute?

Lemon juice - You can substitute lemon juice with vinegar in equal quantity.

Tools needed

  1. Mixing bowls
  2. Weighing scale
  3. Measuring spoons
  4. Measuring cups
  5. Baking pans
  6. Cookie scoop
  7. Piping bag
  8. Piping tip

Vanilla whoopie pie (step-by-step) recipe

Vanilla cake step-by-step recipe

parchment paper is lined up on cookie sheet
1
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F (180 C) for at least 10 minutes. Along with that, also prepare your baking trays with a single layer of parchment paper. 
mixing milk and lemon juice with spoon
2
  1. Add lemon juice to a cup of milk, and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir with a spoon and keep it aside.
sifting all dry ingredients to make vanilla whoope pie
3
  1. In a large bowl, prepare your flour mixture by combining the dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt). Once combined, sift at least once. 
beating butter and sugar with red hand beater until light and fluffy
4
  1. In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Start with low speed and gradually increase it to medium speed after a minute. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. If you are using a stand mixer, add these into a bowl of a mixer and beat with a paddle attachment.
egg and vanilla extract is added to butter and sugar mixture
5
  1. Add egg and vanilla extract and beat until properly combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
adding flour and milk mixture in the rest of the vanilla whoopie pie cake batter
6
  1. Slowly add the flour and milk mixture, and beat on low speed until it is just mixed. DO NOT OVERMIX.
vanilla whoopie pie cake batter is ready
7
  1. Repeat until they are finished and our smooth cake batter will be ready. Scrape the bowl if needed.
dropping the cake batter onto the cookie sheet using cookie scoop
8
  1. Using a small cookie scoop, drop the batter onto prepared baking sheets. Keep some space between them as they will expand while baking.
vanilla whoopie pies are baked in preheated oven at 350F for 11 minutes
9
  1. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes on the middle rack of the preheated oven at 350 F or 180 C or until the top springs back when touched.
cake for vanilla whoopie pies are ready
10
  1. Once removed, let them cool down for a few minutes before transferring them to the wire rack.

PS: If you have any leftover cake batter, feel free to use it to make these soft and fluffy vanilla cookies. I have prepared these with my leftover vanilla cake batter.

Let's prepare the filling until these soft cake-like cookies are cooled completely.

Buttercream step-by-step recipe

beating butter with hand beater until light and fluffy
11
  1. In a small bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy.
beating the batter after adding powdered sugar
12
  1. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until everything is well combined.
beating the buttercream after adding vanilla extract
13
  1. Mix in vanilla and mix again.
adding heavy cream in the buttercream
14
  1. Add milk to adjust the consistency and the buttercream is ready. You can also use heavy cream as a milk replacement.
piping bag filled with buttercream to fill in vanilla whoopie pie
15
  1. Fill in the piping bag that is attached with your favorite piping tip. I am not using any tip here, I just snipped the top . You can also use a large round tip or 1M.

Assemble vanilla whoopie pies

placing one vanilla cookie on vanilla filling
16
  1. When your mini cakes are cooled down, take one. Add buttercream or vanilla filling on a flat side and then place the flat side of the other cookie on top. 
pressing the vanilla cake to form a sandwich
17
  1. Press gently to form a sandwich.
rolling vanilla whoopie pie sandwich in sprinkles
18
  1. Although optional, you can cover the sides of these sandwich cookies with funfetti, chocolate chips, or your favorite sprinkles.
enjoy vanilla whoopie pie
19
  1. Enjoy!

How to serve?

  1. This pairs beautifully with tea or coffee.
  2. Dust with powdered sugar and arrange them nicely on the serving tray.
  3. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  4. To serve them at your next birthday party, wrap whoopie pies individually in transparent wrappers.

Watch us making (video)

https://youtu.be/YXa85c5r4xE?si=lgT1gN0h6IgcslR9
Vanilla whoopie pies

Storing and freezing instructions for vanilla whoopie pie

single whoopie pie holding in hand
Single whoopie Pie

These mini treats can be made ahead of and stored either plain or with frosting. In either case, make sure they are completely cooled down.

Storing instructions

Storing plain - You can keep them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Storing with filling - Depending on the filling, you can keep them at room temperature or in the fridge. For example, if you have filled them with buttercream or ganache, store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. But, if you use a cream-based or fruit filling, store them directly in the refrigerator. It stays ok for up to 1 to 1.5 weeks.

You can use a layer of parchment paper if stacking them in the container, preventing them from sticking.

Freezing instructions

To freeze the whoopie pies, let them cool down completely before wrapping them individually with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. This will prevent them from freezer burn.

You can also keep these wrapped whoopie pies in freezer-safe bag or container.

Don't forget to put the date on the foil. They stay ok for up to 2 months.

Thawing instructions

To thaw, keep them in the refrigerator overnight and for a couple of hours at room temperature.

PS: They taste better when served at room temperature. So give them enough time for that.

Variations

  1. Decorate with a variety of options: Instead of sprinkles, use your favorite chopped nuts or coconut shavings. Be creative!
  2. Swap the filling- Instead of buttercream, use ganache or flour frosting or marshmallow filling. For a fruity flavor, add your favorite fruit sauces to the buttercream. So many options to choose from, right? :)
  3. Colorful whoopie pies - Add a few drops of different colors to the cake batter to make colorful vanilla whoopie pies.
  4. Funfetti whoopie pies - Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of sprinkles into the cake batter and make funfetti whoopie pies.
  5. Colorful frosting - Simply color the plain buttercream with your favorite colors and use it.

Secret tips to make the perfect vanilla whoopie pie

vanilla whoopie pies coated with sprinkles stacked over each other
Vanilla whoopie pies

To master this classic dessert, follow my tips mentioned below.

  1. Room temperature ingredients - Use room temperature butter, milk, and egg to ensure everything mixes together easily.
  2. Quality ingredients - Pure vanilla extract will make a big difference in flavor.
  3. Do not overmix - Mix Wet and dry ingredients until they just combined. Overmixing will form additional gluten, resulting in dense whoopie pies.
  4. Use cookie scoop - Please use cookie scoop to drop batter onto parchment paper. This will help them bake evenly and look appealing when serving.
  5. Do not overbake - Each oven is different and so is the total baking time. Bake until they are golden from the sides and the top should spring back when touched. So, keep a watch. They will continue to bake on cookie sheets even after removed from the oven.
  6. Cool completely - Before you fill them with buttercream, make sure they are completely cooled, otherwise buttercream will melt.

FAQ's

Why my whoopie pies dense?

Overmixing or using more flour are two main causes of dense whoopie pies. To accurately measure the flour, use a weighing scale rather and avoid overmixing dry and wet ingredients.

Want to try some other cake recipes?

If you like these vanilla whoopie pies, please try out my other cake recipes.

1. East and moist vanilla cake

2. My favorite red velvet cake

3. Chocolate cake

You can use the red velvet cake or chocolate cake batter to make those whoopie pie versions. Please try it out and let me know how did it turn out.

Did you make it?

It's your turn to make these cake-like vanilla cookies filled with creamy vanilla filling AKA American buttercream and let me know how this recipe turns out for you in the comments! I really love hearing from you, and your feedback is very much important to me.

If you post on Instagram, do not forget to Tag @DessertKatta or Hashtag it #DessertKatta

Recipe card

Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Rest Time: 15 mins Total Time: 50 mins
Cooking Temp 350  °F
Servings 24
Best Season Suitable throughout the year
Description

These tender cookies are filled with creamy filling, offering perfect bite-sized treats. It is going to be your kid's favorite going forward. Trust me! Saying it from personal experience :)

Ingredients
    Ingredients for vanilla cake
  • 1 cup Milk (240 mL)
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice (5 ml)
  • 2.25 cups All-purpose flour (280 gms)
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder (5 gms)
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda (2 gms)
  • 1/4 tsp Salt (1 gms)
  • 1 cup Sugar (200 gms)
  • 1/2 cup Butter, room temperature and softened (113 gms)
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract (10 mL)
Recipe
    Vanilla cake step-by-step recipe
  1. parchment paper is lined up on cookie sheetPreheat your oven to 350 F (180 C) for at least 10 minutes. Along with that, also prepare your baking trays with a single layer of parchment paper. 
  2. mixing milk and lemon juice with spoonAdd lemon juice to a cup of milk, and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir with a spoon and keep it aside.
  3. sifting all dry ingredients to make vanilla whoope pieIn a large bowl, prepare your flour mixture by combining the dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt). Once combined, sift at least once. 
  4. beating butter and sugar with red hand beater until light and fluffyIn a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Start with low speed and gradually increase it to medium speed after a minute. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. If you are using a stand mixer, add these into a bowl of a mixer and beat with a paddle attachment.
  5. egg and vanilla extract is added to butter and sugar mixtureAdd egg and vanilla extract and beat until properly combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  6. adding flour and milk mixture in the rest of the vanilla whoopie pie cake batterSlowly add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk mixture, and beat on low speed until it is just mixed. DO NOT OVERMIX.
  7. vanilla whoopie pie cake batter is ready

    Repeat until they are finished and our smooth cake batter will be ready. Scrape the bowl if needed.

  8. dropping the cake batter onto the cookie sheet using cookie scoopUsing a small cookie scoop, drop the batter onto prepared baking sheets. Keep some space between them as they will expand while baking.
  9. vanilla whoopie pies are baked in preheated oven at 350F for 11 minutesBake for 10 to 12 minutes on the middle rack of the preheated oven at 350 F or 180 C or until the top springs back when touched.
  10. cake for vanilla whoopie pies are ready

    Once removed, let them cool down for a few minutes before transferring them to the wire rack.

     

    Let's prepare the filling until these soft cake-like cookies are cooled completely.

  11. Buttercream step-by-step recipe
  12. beating butter with hand beater until light and fluffy

    In a small bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy.

  13. beating the batter after adding powdered sugarGradually add powdered sugar and beat until everything is well combined.
  14. beating the buttercream after adding vanilla extractMix in vanilla and mix again.
  15. adding heavy cream in the buttercreamAdd milk to adjust the consistency and the buttercream is ready. You can also use heavy cream as a milk replacement.
  16. piping bag filled with buttercream to fill in vanilla whoopie pieFill in the piping bag attached to your favorite piping tip. I am using Wilton's 1M here. You can also use a large round tip.
  17. Assemble vanilla whoopie pies
  18. placing one vanilla cookie on vanilla fillingWhen your mini cakes are cooled down, take one. Add buttercream or vanilla filling on a flat side and then place the flat side of the other cookie on top. 
  19. pressing the vanilla cake to form a sandwich

    Press gently to form a sandwich. 

  20. rolling vanilla whoopie pie sandwich in sprinkles

    Although optional, you can cover the sides of these sandwich cookies with funfetti, chocolate chips, or your favorite sprinkles.

  21. enjoy vanilla whoopie pie

    Enjoy!

Note

PS: You can also use your leftover cake batter to prepare these soft and fluffy vanilla cookies. 

Keywords: vanilla whoopie pie, best vanilla whoopie pie recipe, mini vanilla whoopie pies, homemade vanilla whoopie pies, vanilla whoopie pie recipe, dessert katta, dessertkatta, dessertkatta recipes
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sayali-bhave-about-me
Sayali Bhave
Dessert Lover

Hi, I'm Sayali, a dessert blogger, mother of a handsome son and a lovely wife. I live in Toronto with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family and friends.

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