the loveliest little things: pumpkin spice whoopie pies

you see those nuggets up there? those little babies are heaven on earth. pumpkin spice cake and maple cream cheese frosting. yes, MAPLE CREAM CHEESE.

delicious.

ok, i know that you have had pumpkin this, pumpkin that surrounding you everywhere since the fall season started, but these are really the absolute best.

i made them for a girl's night last friday and they were a hit.

so, feel like baking this weekend? try these. you won't regret it.

INGREDIENTS:

whoopie pies-

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup canola or vegetable oil
3 cups chilled pumpkin puree (the big can of canned pumpkin)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

for the maple cream cheese frosting:

2 ½ cups powdered sugar

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

to make the pies:

1- preheat oven at 350 -- you can line your cookie sheet with parchment paper. i did not. i just sprayed it with non-stick cooking spray and mine turned out fine. but note, they'll probably look 'neater'.

2- combine and whisk together the first seven ingredients in a big bowl.

3- in another bowl (or kitchinaide mixer like i used), combine the sugars (brown and regular) and oil then add pumpkin-- mix well and then add eggs and vanilla. * i always add a little extra vanilla. :)

4- add mixed ingredients of step 2 ( flour mixture) to the pumpkin in your mixer.

5- you're ready to put them on the lined or sprayed cookie sheet -*note this will be a much quicker and more seamless process if you have two cookie pans and can have the other one ready to go when you are pulling the other out of the oven* -scoop with your teaspoon or tablespoon (depending on how small or big you want them) to scoop out onto the pan. put about an inch apart-- i did rows of three.

6. put in the oven for 10-12 mins. my oven tends to be a little on the hotter side and 10 minutes was perfect. test one with a fork to make sure they are done.

7. set aside to let cool. -- and seriously let them cool before you put the filling/frosting on. i got a little excited and added some too soon to a 'tester' and it was a mess!

and for the frosting:

1- beat butter until smooth (med-high speed)

2. add the cream cheese and beat til smooth

3. add powdered sugar bit by bit

4. and then add vanilla and maple syrup to finish.

assemble the cookies -- put about a teaspoon of the frosting in between!

* this recipe makes a lot -- about 4 dozen-- just fyi- i always just cut the recipe in half if you want less or give them to neighbors/ friends and family-- you won't have a problem getting rid of them-- i promise! ;)