Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cakes cupcakes Vanilla: Extract Easy

Two soft, domed chocolate cakes sandwiched with a fluffy vanilla-marshmallow cream. Each is cakey, rich and about hand-sized. Makes 12 whoopie pies in about 1 hr 12 min.

Prep 30 min

Cook 12 min

Cooling 30 min

Total 1 hr 12 min

Yield 12 whoopie pies

Ingredients

Adjust yield

whoopie pies

2 cups (250 g)all-purpose flour
9 tbsp (50 g)unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 g)baking soda
¾ tsp (3 g)baking powder
½ tsp (3 g)fine salt, for the cakes
½ cup (115 g)unsalted butter, softened, for the cakes
1 cup (200 g)dark brown sugar
1 (50 g)egg
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract, for the cakes
1 cup (240 ml)buttermilk
½ cup (115 g)unsalted butter, softened, for the filling
1 ¼ cups (150 g)powdered sugar
7 oz (200 g)marshmallow creme
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract, for the filling
1 pinchfine salt, for the filling

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Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 F (175 C) and line two baking sheets with parchment.
Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt together.
Beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
Scoop 24 mounds of about 2 tablespoons (40 g) each, 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the sheets.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops spring back lightly. Cool on the sheet 5 minutes, then on a rack until completely cold.
For the filling, beat the butter until creamy, add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in the marshmallow creme, vanilla and salt until fluffy.
Spread or pipe about 2 tablespoons of filling on the flat side of 12 cakes, top with the remaining cakes and press gently. Chill 30 minutes to set.

Tips

Do not overmix the batter or the cakes will turn tough.
Cool the cakes completely before filling or the cream will melt.
Match cakes by size before filling for neat sandwiches.
Good with cold milk.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic chocolate whoopie pies?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 12 minutes of cooking, plus 30 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 12 whoopie pies.

How should I store classic chocolate whoopie pies?

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature 1 day, or refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months.

Can I make classic chocolate whoopie pies ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla extract, for the cakes (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Serve it with cold milk.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

405 Calories / serving

16.9g Fat

61.6g Carbs

4.3g Protein

39.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~4860 cal · 203g fat · 739g carbs · 52g protein · 468g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.