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    Home » Cookies

    Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

    Published: Apr 16, 2022 · Modified: Mar 11, 2023 by Tiffany · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment.

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    Carrot cake is an absolute favorite at my house, in case you hadn't noticed with the carrot cake coffee cake, carrot cake granola and carrot cake waffles (LOL). But sometimes you don't want to decorate a layer cake or you want carrot cake on the go.  Well, these carrot cake whoopie pies are the answer to all your problems.  They are portable little handheld pieces of carrot cake stuffed with an amazing dairy free cream cheese frosting.  Plus, they're made both gluten free and vegan, so everyone can enjoy them.

    Carrot cake whoopie pies and a jar of milk on a white table.

    Why You'll Love This Carrot Cake Whoopie Pie Recipe

    • They are easier to make than a layer cake.
    • They are easy to transport for meals away from home.
    • It's gluten free and vegan!
    Ingredients for carrot cake whoopie pies on white table.

    Ingredients

    • Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour - I use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Flour Blend in all of my recipes.  You can use the flour blend of your choice just make sure it has xanthan gum.  Different flour blends may produce different results.  For the best outcome, weigh your flour.
    • Gluten Free Oats - Again, I use Bob's Red Mill brand.  If you use another brand, ensure they are certified gluten free.
    • Baking Powder & Baking Soda - This recipe needs both types of leavener because we want them to be fluffy like cake but also spread enough to turn out in the shape of a cookie.
    • Cinnamon,  Ginger, Nutmeg & Allspice - The spices are what make the traditional carrot cake flavor.
    • Salt - Just a little to enhance the flavor.
    • Sugar & Light Brown Sugar - The combination of sugars not only provides sweetness but also allows the cookie to stay soft.  If you're preparing these cookies for someone with a vegan diet, make sure to use vegan sugars.
    • Butter - I typically use Miyoko's Vegan Butter or Country Crock Plant Butter.  If you're not vegan or dairy free, you can use regular butter in the same measure.
    • Vanilla & Maple Syrup - To provide some sweetness.
    • Carrots - Unlike most carrot cake recipes, this one used pureed cooked carrots.  To save time, you can use either canned carrots that have been pureed or an equal measure of carrot baby food.  The cookies get both their color and some of the moisture from the carrot puree.  Whenever you're using packaged products, ensure they are gluten free.
    • Walnuts - The nuts are optional, but I really think they add some interest to the cookies.  You can substitute with pecans if you don't like walnuts.

    For the frosting, you will need:

    • Butter
    • Cream Cheese - I like Miyokos brand vegan cream cheese the best for my frosting.  If you don't have access to that brand, any vegan (or dairy cream cheese if you're not vegan) will work.  You may find some vegan cream cheese produces a more watery consistency in the frosting which can be countered by adding more powdered sugar.
    • Powdered Sugar - Make sure to sift your powdered sugar to remove any lumps.  If you're preparing these cookies for someone with a vegan diet, make sure to use vegan powdered sugar.
    • Vanilla

    How to Make These Whoopie Pies

    Butter and sugars in a metal mixing bowl.

    Combine the butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.

    Creamed butter and sugar in a metal mixing bowl.

    Add the vanilla and maple syrup and beat for 60 seconds more.

    Creamed butter and sugar with gluten free flour added to a metal mixing bowl.

    Add the flour, leavening and spices to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until just combined.

    Mixed batter in a metal bowl.

    Once the dough is mixed, remove from the mixer and add the oats, pureed carrots and walnuts to the dough. Fold together with a spatula until it's evenly incorporated.

    Carrot cake cookie dough in metal bowl.

    Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerator for 30 minutes.

    After dough has chilled, scoop into golf ball sized mounds and place on lined baking sheet.  Flatten the balls slightly so they resemble little hockey pucks.  Bake!

    Carrot Cake whoopie pies and a jar of milk on a marble cutting board.

    While the cookies are cooling, prepare your cream cheese frosting.

    • Step 1: Combine vegan cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on medium speed until smooth.
    • Step 2: Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.  Mix on the lowest setting until the dry ingredients are incorporated.  Then turn to high speed and beat for 5 minutes until fluffy.
    • Step 3: Match your cookies up by size.  Spread 1-2 tablespoons of frosting on one cookie and then sandwich together with it's matching cookie.  Repeat with remaining cookies.

    Refrigerate assembled cookies until ready to serve.

    Carrot cake whoopies pies in a metal baking dish.

    How to Store These Cookies

    Because of the cream cheese frosting, these cookies need to be refrigerated.  Store in an airtight container and place wax or parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking.  Cookies should stay good for 3-4 days.

    Closeup of bitten carrot cake whoopie pie.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is whoopie pie filling made of?

    Typically it is buttercream or marshmallow filling. However, because carrot cake is usually served with cream cheese frosting, we’ve used that in this recipe. If you don’t like cream cheese, you can replace with vanilla buttercream frosting.

    What is the difference between whoopie pie and cake?

    Whoopie pies are more like a handheld piece of cake.  They are not quite as soft as cake to make them easier to handle.

    This recipe is a cross between the softness or cake and a soft oatmeal cookie.

    Pin for carrot cake whoopie pies.

    If you're looking for more carrot cake ideas, check out these great recipes!

    Gluten Free Carrot Cake Coffee Cake
    Best Gluten Dairy Free Free Carrot Cake
    Gluten Free Carrot Cake Granola
    Gluten Free Apple Carrot Muffins
    Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes

    To pin this recipe for later, click the save button on any image in this post or the recipe card.  Please tag me @wellfedbaker on Instagram if you make this recipe!

    Carrot cake whoopie pies lined up in a metal tin.

    Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

    A delicious gluten free & vegan handheld version of the classic carrot cake. Two carrot cake oatmeal cookies sandwiched with fluffy vegan cream cheese frosting.
    Author: Tiffany
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Cooling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 2 hours
    Servings: 18
    Calories: 302kcal

    Ingredients

    For the cookies

    • 1 ⅖ Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend (207 grams) I use Bob's Red Mill
    • ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
    • ¾ teaspoon Ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon Allspice
    • ¾ Cup Vegan Butter can substitute dairy butter
    • ¾ Cup Sugar
    • ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 1 ½ Cup Gluten Free Oats
    • ¾ Cup Carrots pureed
    • ½ Cup Walnuts roughly chopped

    For the frosting

    • ½ Cup Vegan Butter can substitute dairy butter
    • 4 ounces Vegan Cream Cheese can substitute dairy cream cheese
    • 2 Cups Powdered Sugar sifted
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla

    Instructions

    For the cookies

    • Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices in a small bowl. Whisk together until well mixed. Set aside.
      1 ⅖ Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend, ½ teaspoon Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon Ginger, ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon Allspice
    • Combine butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes until fluffy in texture. Scrape down the bowl.
      ¾ Cup Vegan Butter, ¾ Cup Sugar, ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar
    • Add the vanilla and maple syrup. Beat for another 60 seconds. Scrape down the bowl.
      1 tablespoon Maple Syrup, 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • Add the flour mixture and mix on the lowest setting until just incorporated.
    • Remove the bowl from the mixer. Add the oats, pureed carrots and walnuts. Stir together with a spatula until evenly incorporated.
      1 ½ Cup Gluten Free Oats, ¾ Cup Carrots, ½ Cup Walnuts
    • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Remove dough from the refrigerator and scoop into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place on prepared baking sheets leaving 2-3 inches between balls. Using your fingers to flatten the balls slighty. The dough will be stick and a little wet.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, until edges are just set. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes. The move cookies onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

    For the frosting

    • Combine vegan cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed until it reaches a smooth consistency, 2-3 minutes.
      ½ Cup Vegan Butter, 4 ounces Vegan Cream Cheese
    • Add powdered sugar and vanilla to the butter mixture. Mix on the lowest speed until the dry ingredients are incorporated. It will resemble a thick paste.
      2 Cups Powdered Sugar, 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • Turn the mixer to medium high speed and beat for 5 minutes until fluffy in texture.

    To assemble

    • Pair the cookies up by like size.
    • Spread 1-2 tablespoons of frosting on a cookie and sandwich with it's paired cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies.
    • Store assembles whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
    Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 1491IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @wellfedbaker or tag #wellfedbaker!
    Tiffany

    Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany. I strive to make gluten free dishes that are not just good enough, but better than their gluten counterparts. Living without gluten doesn't need to mean living without yum. You'll find all sorts of recipes from easy complex and something to soothe every sweet tooth.

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