Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies are yummy, creamy, delicious, and a fun twist on carrot cake! They are a family favorite and they’ve got lots of grated carrots- which means they’re healthy right?
With this recipe you get all the spiced moist deliciousness of traditional carrot cake!
All in a fun, portable, and utterly irresistible whoopie pie kind of way!
These little treats sandwich a yummy cream cheese filling between two soft, cake-like cookies!
And they are worth every little bite!
Not to mention they’re full of all those warm spices and grated carrots!
It’s like your favorite cake and cookie got together and created the dessert of your dreams!
This carrot cake whoopie pie is the best of both worlds! Spiced flavor of carrot cake and fun sandwich-style of a whoopie pie.
And they’re perfect for on-the-go! Pack up and take them with you! They’re a great treat for picnics or lunchboxes.
They’re easy to make too! Straightforward steps and no need for any fancy equipment.
Plus they’re great for any occasion! From casual get-togethers to special celebrations like Easter or spring parties.
And with that blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger? This carrot cake whoopie pie recipe hits the sweet spot!
This easy carrot cake fan, we’ve got you covered too!
What Is a Whoopie Pie?
A whoopie pie is essentially two soft, cake-like cookies sandwiching a creamy, often sweet filling.
Whoopie pies were actually invented here in the United States. So that’s pretty cool!
It’s a pretty popular treat that comes in various flavors and you can buy them at most stores or bakeries.
Though obviously anything you’re gonna get from the store isn’t gonna taste as good as homemade!
Some of our favorite whoopie pies are cherry whoopie pies, root beer cookies, gingerbread whoopie pies and red velvet whoopie pies.
These ones are all about that traditional carrot cake flavor! And it’s so yummy!
Is a Whoopie Pie and a Sandwich Cookie the Same Thing?
While whoopie pies and sandwich cookies are nearly the same thing.
And some people might swap the words but they’re actually a bit different.
Whoopie pies are made with two soft, cakey cookies and a creamy filling.
Sandwich cookies, on the other hand, usually have a crisper texture.
They’re both little mini cakes you can eat with your hands. And they’re both really good!
But for this one, I definitely prefer that softer texture.
What Ingredients Are in Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies?
Whoopie pie recipes have got to be some of my favorite desserts! Okay I have a lot of favorite desserts!
You won’t need a whoopie pie pan, but you will need these ingredients:
- Butter: salted or unsalted butter, whatever you prefer
- Granulated sugar & Brown sugar: for that perfect sweetness
- Large egg: to bind everything together
- Vanilla extract: for flavor
- Salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon: classic carrot cake spices
- Baking soda: to help the cookies rise
- Quick oats: for a bit of texture
- All-purpose flour: as the base
- Carrots: finely grated, for moisture and flavor
- Cream cheese & more butter: for the frosting
- Powdered sugar: for sweetness and structure
Pro tip: Freshly grated carrots will give the cookies a softer texture than pre grated carrots.
How to Make Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies?
These portable carrot cakes aren’t hard to make and are so yummy!
The full recipe card is below but here’s the basic rundown:
- Creaming butter and both sugars until well blended.
- Add wet ingredients.
- Combine dry ingredients first in their own bowl and then combine.
- Mix in the grated carrots last.
- Chill the cookie dough. Then bake.
- Make the frosting while the cookies are cooling to room temperature.
- Spread or pipe the frosting on one cookie, then top with another! All done!
Pro tips:
- Chilling the dough will help them not become flat pancakes!
- Use parchment paper on the cookie sheet for easier cleanup.
- Use a wire rack to cool the cookies faster.
- An electric mixer with a paddle attachment can save your arm a lot of work!
Can You Make Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies Ahead of Time?
Absolutely, you can make carrot cake whoopie pies ahead of time.
They’re great for a party because you don’t have to rush them and they taste even better the next day!
Simply prepare the cookies and the cream cheese filling up to a day in advance.
Store them separately in the refrigerator. Then assemble before serving.
Make-ahead dessert. Easy. Delicious. You rock this.
How to Store Leftover Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies?
Leftover moist carrot cake whoopie pies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This keeps them fresh and prevents the cream cheese frosting from spoiling.
Plus, chilling them helps maintain their texture.
Can You Freeze Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies?
Yes, you can freeze this delicious whoopie pie!
Freeze them on a baking sheet first separately.
Then once solid, wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil.
Or you can place them in a freezer-safe bag. I find they stay a little bit more moist the other way.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
How Long Do Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies Last?
In the refrigerator, these fluffy carrot cake cookies will last for up to 5 days. So they’re a great make-ahead dessert option.
Though I never keep them around that long! Someone always finds them and eats them up pretty quick!
If frozen, they’re good for up to 3 months.
Do Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, due to the cream cheese frosting, carrot cake whoopie pies need to be refrigerated.
Not only does this keep them safe to eat, but it also helps preserve their texture and flavor.
I think if you don’t refrigerate, they’d probably last for a little while but I really think better safe than sorry.
When to Serve Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies?
This carrot cake whoopie pies recipe is perfect for nearly any occasion. And every occasion!
I especially love them at all the spring celebrations! Easter gatherings are always great but you could also serve them any time of year.
Birthdays are another fun one. I love making things that aren’t cake for birthdays but like cake.
You still get all the yummy of a cake but completely unique.
Plus they’re individual serving size and portability means anytime you need something make and take they’re great!
Picnics, school events, or even in the lunchbox. Your kids would thank you for that one!
What to Serve with Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies?
I love serving these soft carrot cake cookies with other cookies like on a cookie table.
Or with Easter desserts or themed foods since that’s mostly when I whip these out.
In fact sometimes the Easter bunny leaves a couple of these in the baskets! I’ve never heard a complaint about it!
Here are some great cookie recipes:
- Resurrection Cookies
- Jubilee Jumbles
- Coconut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cherry Chocolate Cookies
- Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
- Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Cherry Pie Cookies
- Pie Crust Cookies
Carrot cake whoopie pies are a fun twist on the traditional carrot cake! They’re perfect for making ahead, easy to store, and fun to serve! They’re sure to become a new favorite! Enjoy!
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies
Get ready to lick your fingers for Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies! They’re a delicious blend of moist cake, warm spices, and creamy filling!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature, Salted, Unsalted, doesn't matter.
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup quick oats
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cup carrots, finely grated
Cream Cheese Frosting
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, add 1/2 cup butter, white sugar and brown sugar until well blended.
- Add in egg and vanilla extract.
- Add Salt, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon & baking soda. Mix well.
- Add Oats and mix well.
- Add in Flour and mix well. Batter should look a bit on the dry side.
- Add carrots and mix until batter looks more like moist cookie batter.
- Cover bowl and chill dough 1 hr 15 minutes. This is important. By not chilling dough, cookies will spread and become flat pancakes.
- Preheat oven to 350*F
- Using a cookie scoop, spoon out cookie dough onto a prepared sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until centers no longer looks wet and doughy.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- As cookies are cooling, make frosting.
- For the cream cheese frosting:
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese, butter and salt until smooth and fluffy.
- Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar and continue to whip until smooth and very fluffy.
- Once cookies are completely cool, scoop a dollop of frosting onto one cookie, top with a second cookie and enjoy your homemade whoopie pie.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 273mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 3g
Originally Posted: June 6, 2014
Photos & Text Updated: March 21, 2024
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Absolutely yummy! One of the best I've ever made!
Amanda Batcher
Tuesday 26th of March 2024
I love whoopie pies and carrot cake. This was a match made for me!
Sandra
Tuesday 26th of March 2024
These are absolutely delicious! Can't wait to make them again for Easter!
Catalina
Tuesday 26th of March 2024
The Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies were a delightful twist on traditional carrot cake! They were soft, moist, and the cream cheese filling was to die for.
Gina
Tuesday 26th of March 2024
Oh my word - I can't stop eating them. That creamy filling with the spice flavors - I'm in love!