These Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies are made from miniature chocolate cakes and peanut butter frosting. Sandwich the frosting between two cakes and you have a fun, simple, and delicious handheld dessert!
Chocolate whoopie pies with peanut butter filling
I’m a sucker for anything that combines peanut butter and chocolate. I can’t help but serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies, Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting, or these Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies at almost every party or celebration. These whoopie pies, in particular, are a crowd favorite and put a smile on the face of anyone who takes a bite!
I like to think of whoopie pies as the cupcake’s super cool and mature older cousin. They’re made by sandwiching frosting in between two miniature cakes, kind of like a sandwich cookie. They’re a decadent handheld dessert, way less messy, and even easy to bake.
The best part? Chocolate whoopie pies can be made in less than 20 minutes and are even freezer-friendly! Perfect for parties or the holidays, this chocolate whoopie pie recipe is sure to become a staple in your household.
What are whoopie pies?
Whoopie pies are small handheld desserts that look just like sandwich cookies but are made by sandwiching frosting or buttercream between two miniature cakes instead. They come in any flavor you can imagine, from vanilla to chocolate to pumpkin. Because they originated in New England, you can almost always find whoopie pies in their bakeries and Amish markets nearby.
What is whoopie pie filling made of?
Traditionally, whoopie pie filling is made out of marshmallow fluff; however, you can stuff them with pretty much any type of frosting you like. My recipe sandwiches a rich and decadent peanut butter frosting between two pieces of moist chocolate cake.
How to make a chocolate whoopie pie recipe
These delicious chocolate peanut butter whoopie pies are easy to make and super fun to eat. A whoopie pie pan will help your cakes bake evenly and consistently, but a cookie sheet works too. This is how it’s done:
Mix the butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and egg together in a large bowl. Once it’s smooth, add the cocoa and mix again.
Add the flour and milk and continue mixing until you have a smooth, chocolatey batter.
Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to drop dollops of cake mix onto a greased cookie sheet or whoopie pie pan.
Bake the cakes until they’re firm, then leave them on a wire rack to cool. Prepare the peanut butter frosting while you wait.
How to make peanut butter buttercream
This nutty buttercream couldn’t be easier to make:
- Whip the melted butter and peanut butter together in a bowl until it’s light and fluffy.
- Continue mixing while you slowly add the powdered sugar and milk. The resulting mixture should be thick and creamy.
- Keep whipping the frosting for 1 or 2 minutes to incorporate lots of air. The fluffier the frosting, the better.
- When the cakes are cool, spread a generous amount of your buttercream one cake half. Add another half on top and gently press them together. Serve and enjoy!
Variations:
Even though chocolate and peanut butter are the perfect combination, you could easily tweak this recipe to create pretty much any flavor of whoopie pie:
- My pumpkin whoopie pies with marshmallow filling give this classic recipe a comforting fall twist.
- For the ultimate chocolate experience, try stuffing the chocolate cakes with chocolate brownie frosting.
- Add a dollop of raspberry jam on the peanut butter frosting to create a peanut butter and jam whoopie pie.
- Looking for something sweet and kid-friendly? Try whipping up a batch of my birthday party vanilla whoopie pies.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my whoopie pies flat?
If your whoopie pies are coming out of the oven looking flat, this means that your cake batter was too thin. You can easily fix this by adding more flour or reducing the amount of milk you use in your batter.
Can you make these without a whoopie pie pan?
Absolutely! Simply drop ¼ cup of cake batter at a timeonto a greased baking sheet.
Can you make whoopie pies ahead of time?
These chocolate whoopie pies are a great make-ahead dessert. Once the cakes are baked and cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can you freeze chocolate whoopie pies?
Yes! If you’d like to freeze the unfrosted whoopie pies, wrap the cakes in plastic and store them in the freezer for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply whip up a batch of frosting, assemble your pies, and enjoy!
More chocolate and peanut butter desserts to try
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Chocolate Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Frosting
- Chocolate Oreo Peanut Butter Popsicles
Pin for later:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Buttercream Whoopie Pies
PrintIngredients
For the cakes
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 1/3 cups flour
- 1 cup milk
For the peanut butter buttercream
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
For the cakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Spray baking sheet or whoopie pie pan.
- In a large mixing bowl mix together butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Once mixed, add in the egg and continue beating until all smooth. Add in cocoa powder and continue mixing.
- Add flour and milk and continue beating until smooth. Make sure it's completely mixed and soft.
- Drop the cake dough by 1/4 cupfuls onto baking sheet or fill up whoopie pie pan. If using a baking pan, leave 1 inch between cakes as they will grow.
- Bake 11 to 13 minutes until firm. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Spread peanut butter filling on one pie, while using another pie to press it down.
- Enjoy immediately or wrap in plastic wrap to store.
For the peanut butter buttercream
- Beat melted butter and peanut butter in a bowl until mixed. Gradually mix in sugar and once thickened, add milk.
- Continue beating for about 2 minutes until buttercream is spreadable and fluffy.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
I’ve yet to make a whoopie pie (I know!), but my first choice would be something like these! So cute, perfectly shaped and awesome flavors!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
Love the dancing whoopie pie! Loving the filling in these, too!
ela hester says
What a tasty and beautiful post! Congratulations and thanks for sharing! :))
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
Chocolate and peanut butter? I’m in heaven! These look delicious Pamela!
Karly says
I could eat these all day long! Thanks for linking up to What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Whoopie Pie Pans? I must find some!
Serena @ Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
Omg I am totally drooling! My two favorite combos! Chocolate and Peanut Butter!
Sue/the view from great island says
Wow, I’ve never had the urge to make a whoopie pie until just now. I love the photos, they are very convincing!
Abbie @ Needs Salt says
Jeepers, that GIF is awesome! (and so are these whoopie pies, of course.) THAT. BUTTERCREAM. I could just eat it with a spoon.
Pinning! ๐
Aimee / Wallflower Girl says
Ahhh! I love the dancing cookie! I want to watch it for a lil bit and then gobble it up (because they sound amazingly delicious)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
lol omg! look at the lil dancing whoopie pie!!!! These look like the best whoopie pies ever, on the real. SO GOOOD!
The Squishy Monster says
Be still my heart! These look to die for!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
That gif, I’m screaming!! Aren’t these the msot adorable (and of course delicious) thing ever? I love the pb + chocolate combo, these are perfect!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Now I need to go buy a whoopie pie pan. I love the dancing whoopie pie!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
These sound absolutely divine! Need to try them immediately. I grew up not really liking the chocolate-pb combo, but I’m a recent convert after having the Chocolate-PB Cookie at Levain Bakery. Now I’m all about it!
Manhattan Image and Style says
This looks and sounds so yummy!! Thanks for sharing this delecious recipe! <3
I have a new video up on you YouTube. It's up on my blog now, I hope you like it! ๐
Diana
http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
New Video: 7 Ways to Layer Your Clothes Like A New Yorker
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
So adorable. They are just like mini layered cakes.
Lidia says
I’m doing the Whoopie Dance right now… just because I feel like it. And because I cannot wait to try your deliciously cute Chocolate PB Buttercream Whoopie Pies! I’ve always wanted to make them but never got around to it. Now I just have to! ๐
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I saw a whoopee pie pan the other day at World Market and now I’m kicking myself for not getting it! These whoopee pies look like the best thing ever!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
Oh, how I LOVE whoopie pies! Beings back memories of my PA roots and the Lancaster Amish Country. I haven’t been able to get good whoopie pies since leaving PA. I must make these!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
LOVE the animated photo!! So fun!!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Oh my goodness. I’m such a sucker for chocolate and peanut butter…and who doesn’t love a good whoopie pie?! Yum. Definitely going on the must-make list…these look too good to pass up!
marcie says
Your whoopie pies are to die for, Pamela! I love chocolate and peanut butter, too. ๐
renee dwyer says
I am Over excited about these! I checked my pantry straight away for these ingredients! They look Amaze-balls! ๐ x
Monet says
My whoopie pies have NEVER looked this good! Drooling through my screen now! Thank you for sharing. A delicious end to a long Thursday! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
I love that even your whoopie pies are dancing!
Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
Just love that Dancing Whoopie Pie – it’s doing The Happy Dance!
I haven’t made Whoopie Pies is so long that I’m embarrassed to even tell you ’cause the last time I made them – you were probably a little kid… if you were even born!
You’d think by my age, I’d have all the pans etc. I would ever need. NOT SO… I just purchased my first popover pan and don’t know how I ever lived without it.
I think it’s gonna be like that once I buy a pan for making Whoopie Pies. I didn’t even know pans that like existed. A great post, Pamela. As always. ; o )
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
That first pic with the dancing whoopie pie just made me so happy. Who could resist these?! Plus the peanut butter buttercream…
Doing the whoopie dance right now! ๐
Katie says
You had me at peanut butter buttercream.
Whenever I hear the word Whoopie I think of that awful 80s marriage gameshow….I can’t even remember what it was called. The Newlywed Game!!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Oh girl! They look fabulous. My inner chocolate love is screaming for one of these!