Are you craving a delicious homemade dessert that's both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further than these delightful vanilla whoopie pies! These soft, fluffy cakes sandwich a creamy, dreamy frosting, creating a perfect balance of sweet and delightful. This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers, requiring minimal ingredients and simple techniques, making it an ideal addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and quick dinner ideas. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these delightful homemade treats!
Ingredients:
For the Cakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Cakes:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is easily achieved using an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix.
- Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting:
- Beat Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth.
- Add Milk & Vanilla: Stir in the milk and vanilla extract until the frosting is light and creamy.
Assembling the Whoopie Pies:
- Pair Up: Once the cakes are completely cool, pair them up by size.
- Frost: Spoon a generous amount of frosting onto the flat side of one cake and top with another cake to create a sandwich.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips for the Best Vanilla Whoopie Pies:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough cakes. Mix until just combined.
- Let the cakes cool completely: This prevents the frosting from melting.
- Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures that the butter creams properly and the ingredients blend well.
- Get creative with the frosting: Try adding different extracts like almond or peppermint, or even a swirl of chocolate frosting for a delicious twist.
Variations:
- Chocolate Whoopie Pies: Add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the cake batter.
- Double Chocolate Whoopie Pies: Add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the cake batter and use chocolate frosting.
- Funfetti Whoopie Pies: Add ½ cup sprinkles to the cake batter.
Nutritional Information (per whoopie pie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g
- Protein: 3-4g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. These delicious vanilla whoopie pies are a perfect example of easy recipes that yield big results. Enjoy your homemade baking!