There are pumpkin pies, pecan pies, apple pies and every kind of pie known to man getting baked up as we speak (or as I type), but this Thanksgiving, have a little fun. How about a mini whoopie pumpkin pie? These little guys are perfect for potluck Thanksgiving dinners. They’re fun, easy to make and the kids will adore you.
Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Whipped Cream Cheese Filling:
1 3/4 cups flour (sifted) – $.75
1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened – $1.10
1 cup packed brown sugar – $.75
1 large egg, lightly beaten – $.15
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix) – $.75
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (I substituted 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ginger) – pantry
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – pantry
1 tsp baking powder – pantry
1 tsp baking soda – pantry
1/2 tsp plus 2 pinches salt – pantry
4 ozs neufchatel cream cheese, chilled (33% lower in fat than reg cream cheese) – $.65
1 cup powdered sugar – $.50
1 cup heavy whipping cream – $.50COST: $5.20
Preheat oven to 350.
In a large, deep bowl, beat together 1 stick melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Next, add egg, pumpkin puree, spices, 1 tsp of the vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix ingredients, then fold in sifted flour.
Once batter is completely combined, drop 24 small heaping teaspoons of batter on well oiled cookie sheets or cookie sheets with parchment paper. Space at least an inch apart as cookies expand.
Bake for 10-12 mins, or until cookies spring back on touch. Like a cake. When done, remove from pan and let cool on rack or large serving platter or plate.
Now for the filling, cream softened butter with neufchatel cream cheese and then add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time along with 2 pinches of salt and a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until blended, on low. Once blended, increase speed to hight and beat till fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
In a separate glass bowl, beat whipping cream till thick and fluffy, then add whipped cream to cream cheese mixture, on slow. Once combined, you have a nice, fluffy cream cheese filling. Perfect for your pies.
When whoopie cakes are cool, spread the flat side of a cake with filling and top with another. Place cookies in the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving and store for up to 3 days.
GRAND TOTAL: $5.20
