Halloween Whoopie Pies Fun

Halloween Whoopie Pies are a perfect treat when you want to bring a playful, festive dessert to a party or give kids something fun to make and eat. I love how these are easy enough for kids to help decorate and that you can customize the colors and decorations to fit any spooky vibe you like. These are based on the ones I used to bake for my son's kindergarten class. Even the teacher asked for my recipe, and that still makes me smile.

I started making these for school birthdays and now every family Halloween has to include them. They are the first thing gone from the dessert table.

Ingredients

• Devil’s Food cake mix: gives the pies a strong chocolate base and a tender crumb. Use a reputable brand for dependable results
• Chocolate pudding mix: makes the cakes thick and intensifies the chocolate flavor. Go for instant pudding for easy mixing
• Eggs: add richness and structure. Use large fresh eggs for best texture
• Vegetable oil: keeps the cakes moist and soft. A neutral oil like canola works well
• Water: brings the batter together and creates the right consistency
• Vanilla cake icing: offers that sweet creamy filling. Choose a quality brand for better flavor or make your own
• Orange food gel: gives the icing bright festive color. Food coloring gel creates more vivid color than liquid
• Black edible sparkles or black sprinkles: give Halloween sparkle and crunchy texture
• Black rope licorice and candy eyes: for spider decoration if desired. Go for soft and fresh licorice for easy cutting
• Silpat mat or parchment paper: helps prevent sticking and gives round uniform cakes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Your Work Area:

Set out all your ingredients and line baking sheets with Silpat mats or parchment paper. This ensures you can start mixing and baking without pausing

Preheat your oven to 350 F:

so that it is hot and ready once the batter is mixed

Mix the Batter:

Combine Devil’s Food cake mix chocolate pudding eggs water and vegetable oil in a large bowl. Beat on medium until the batter is thick with no dry spots left. This creates the signature thick whoopie pie texture

Form the Whoopie Pies:

Scoop 18 even portions of batter onto your lined baking sheet for standard size. Shape each into a neat round so the pies bake up evenly. For small pies split into 36 portions

Bake:

Slide into the oven and bake for 7 to 10 minutes. Check that the cakes are spongy and spring back when touched gently. This prevents dry pies

Cool the Cakes:

Allow the cakes to cool fully before decorating. This keeps your icing from melting and running everywhere

Color the Icing:

Spoon vanilla icing into a bowl and stir in orange food gel until the color is bold and even. Bright color makes these extra festive

Add the Filling:

Pipe or spread a good layer of orange icing onto the flat side of one cake. Place another cake on top gently so the filling stays put

Decorate:

Scatter black sprinkles or sparkles on the edges while the icing is still soft so they stick well. For spiders add licorice legs and candy eyes using a dab of extra icing as glue

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Storage Tips

After assembling your whoopie pies place them in an air-tight container and refrigerate. They keep best for up to three days. Keep layers separated with wax paper so they stay neat and the icing does not stick together

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use any chocolate cake mix and any instant chocolate pudding if you prefer another brand. If you want homemade filling feel free to whip up marshmallow fluff instead of store-bought icing. For different colors try mixing purple or green gels into the icing for a twist on the traditional orange

Serving Suggestions

Serve on a black tray or cake stand for the ultimate Halloween look. Add plastic spiders or autumn leaves decor for a party feel. These travel well so they are perfect for classroom parties or trick-or-treat gatherings

Cultural and Historical Context

Whoopie pies are a classic American treat from Pennsylvania Amish country or Maine depending on who you ask. Each region has its own version but the Halloween colors and playful look are a recent family tradition for us

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Recipe FAQs

→ What is the best cake mix for these treats?

Devil's Food cake mix works best, lending a rich chocolate flavor and dense texture that complements the creamy filling.

→ Can I change the filling colors?

Yes, using food coloring gels allows vibrant hues; orange is traditional for Halloween, but any color works for personalized flair.

→ How do I keep the cakes uniform in size?

Use a piping bag with a large tip or evenly scoop batter onto baking sheets to ensure consistent, round shapes.

→ Should these treats be refrigerated?

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for best freshness and texture.

→ How can I make spider decorations on these treats?

Place four pieces of black licorice as legs between the cakes and use small dollops of icing to attach candy eyes on top.