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Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies with Caramel Filling

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Soft apple cider whoopie pies filled with spiced buttercream and caramel. Easy fall recipe with real apple flavor and cozy texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups apple cider (reduced to 1/4 cup)
  • 6 tablespoons butter (softened at room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup apple butter
  • 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (melted, for topping)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (for topping)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup butter (room temperature, for buttercream)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed, for buttercream)
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar (for buttercream)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (for buttercream)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (for buttercream)
  • Caramel filling (prepared separately or store-bought)

Instructions

  1. Reduce 2 cups apple cider to 1/4 cup by boiling over medium-high heat until thickened; let cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, cream 6 tablespoons softened butter with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup light brown sugar until fluffy.
  4. Add 2 eggs one at a time, then mix in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 cup apple butter.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, then stir in the reduced apple cider until combined.
  7. Drop batter by spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake for 12 minutes or until cakes spring back when touched. Cool completely on wire racks.
  9. For topping, brush cakes with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
  10. Prepare brown sugar buttercream by beating 1/2 cup butter with 1/4 cup light brown sugar until creamy. Add 2 cups confectioners sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream until smooth and fluffy.
  11. Spread or pipe buttercream onto the flat side of half the cakes.
  12. Add a dollop of caramel filling on top of the buttercream.
  13. Sandwich with remaining cakes, pressing gently to spread filling to edges.
  14. Chill assembled whoopie pies before serving for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Reducing the apple cider intensifies the apple flavor in the cakes. Brushing with melted butter and cinnamon sugar adds a delightful texture and spice. The caramel filling adds a rich, gooey contrast to the spiced buttercream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.rapidrecipes.blog/apple-cider-whoopie-pie-cookies/