Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies with Orange Cream Cheese Filling
No doubt by now you’ve heard rumblings of a “canned pumpkin shortage” going around The Blogland.
But me, I’m not quite convinced.
I liken the so-called “canned pumpkin shortage” to the Loch Ness Monster. Because really, there is compelling evidence to argue both the existence, and nonexistence of said shortage.
It’s quite a quandary.
And in case you’re wondering, I am totally a Loch Ness Monster expert, because when I was in the 4th grade, I checked out no less than seven books on the subject from the elementary school library. And after careful research and hours of deliberation, I came to the conclusion that although Nessie is probably real…no one will ever know for sure.
It doesn’t help that she obviously has a skin condition that causes her to appear extremely blurry in photographs.
I would probably have a more definitive answer to the Loch Ness mystery, but it turns out that 4th grade was a real time of growth and self improvement, and I moved on to ghost research and instructional books on karate.
Which pretty much resulted in me being scared to close the bathroom door when I peed. But I could do an awesome Crane Stance, and let me tell you that although it looks pretty darn intimidating, it’s actually quite relaxing and zen-ish.
So anyways, if you read some of the other blogs, you may be convinced of the pumpkin shortage. I however, will tell you that here in Arkansas, canned pumpkin is alive, well, and sitting on shelves just waiting to be bought.
And I may have bought a few tenish fifteenish cans more than I needed.
Just in case.
Nothing wrong with being prepared.
Wanna know the good thing about the recipe I’m sharing today? You only need half a can of pumpkin.
So you can save the other half and sell it on eBay. Buy yourself a Coach bag with the proceeds. Whatev, I’m not judging.
(printable recipe)
INGREDIENTS
1/2 (regular sized) can of pumpkin
1/3 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 package spice cake mix
1/2 cup milk
parchment paper
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large bowl, beat the pumpkin and butter on medium speed until smooth. Add cake mix, eggs, and milk and beat on low until combined, about one minute. Spoon batter onto a parchment lined baking sheet, about 3 inches apart.
Bake for about 15 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.
Filling: (adapted from allrecipes.com)
6 oz cream cheese, softened
4 Tablespoons butter, softened
5 Tablespoons orange juice
5 cups powdered sugar
Orange food coloring
Beat cream cheese, butter, and orange juice until creamy. Slowly beat in powdered sugar and beat on high for 2 minutes. Mix in orange coloring to get your desired hue.
Obviously, you spread the flat side of a cookie with a good amount of filling and plop another one of top, flat side down.
What are your opinions on the shortage? Real or not real?
Or Nessie, for that matter.
Happy Friday!!
P.S. Please take this photo into consideration.
Thanks for visiting my blog! I realize you could be doing more important things with your time. Like watching the news or washing socks. I hope you stay awhile. Much more fun than socks, I promise. 
WOW, do those look good! Thanks for sharing!
These are just gorgeous whoopies!
Thank you for another entertaining post! Here in Upstate NY we are experiencing a so-called "canned pumpkin shortage"….I need to get my hands on some canned pumpkin so I can make some of your delicious Pumpkin Spice Whoopie pies with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting….I probably have a better chance of seeing "Nessie"….LOL
Oh gosh – we're such suckers, we totally stocked up on pumpkin – out of fear! Warranted or not. But the GOOD news is that now we can make these…and the mallowcreme pumpkins in that photo? Those sealed the deal.
These look so good! :D
You know, I have never made a whoopie pie? I am coveting that fun whoopie pie cookbook though!
These are adorable and I am sure yummy!
so cute for fall
There hasn't been canned pumpkin on the shelves here in months and months! You should do a giveaway with the extra cans you bought! These look so good!!!
I'm not convinced on the shortage either… I think it's an urban legend based on grocery stores moving the canned pumpkin from the baking aisle to end caps for the upcoming holidays. They refill the end caps but never the baking aisle – so it SEEMS like they are out to those of us who know where the Canned Pumpkin lives! :)
Can't wait to try this recipe!
No canned pumpkin here in Lexington, KY. Shelves and end caps have all been empty for months.
Well damn. Now I have to add "canned pumpkin mission" to my To-Do list for the weekend.
Great pic, btw.
I WANT THAT SO BADLY!!! Looks incredible!!! Great post!
Wow, those look SO good! Great picture, you're making me hungry(: lol.
I'm so glad I found your blog! This recipe looks great! I was worried about a pumpkin shortage this year too, after having to make my own pumpkin puree last year. Grocery store shelves in Iowa are stocked as well but I'm not taking any chances and have already bought a few cans for my "stash."
LOL…… whoopie pies are on our MUST MAKE list..I found pumpkin here the other day (had been MIA for months!)…..I need to get baking!!
hysterical!
coming via tidymom's tweet. pumpkin is MIA here in tennessee on big name grocery stores. BUT i found some at world market.
these whoopie pies sound FANTASTIC!!!
happy weekend.
kellie
I stocked up on pumpkin last time everyone was panicking over a pumpkin shortage so we're good. Bring on the whoopie pies.
Your photo looks fabulous!I keep telling my son we're going to make pumpkin cookies and then the day gets away from us. Still no pumpkin at my grocery store :( . I still have one left though!
Thos are to cute
Love the orange filling! I need to make these for my son's classroom party! Love your blog!
I have never made whoopie pies(though unfortunately that's what my recent macarons look like) but these would be a good place to start!!!
There really WAS a pumpkin shortage(at least in CA):) I was a bit obsessed and even tried to order from the Libby's website a few weeks ago. They had a video on their site all about their pumpkin shortage in fall '09. I had been looking for some for months, and thankfully I finally found some at the grocery store on Sat. and bought a "boat load." Yippee!
Those look really yummy! I like the sprinkles on the filling, too! :)
there is also a canned pumpkin shortage in my pantry… i've had to search pretty far to get some (i was all stocked up at some point… i've got one can left but it's not plain pumpkin… i'm going to use it anyways and leave out the extra spices) i've had regular whoopie pies, but these would be great for a treat to bring to a halloween party – thanks :)
Our shelves have pumpkin, too. And these are darling! And I've always loved Nessie! ;)
All the grocery stores around me are overflowing with canned pumpkin, and even the little baking pumpkins for the industrious super-bakers. Then again, I live in Illinois farm country. We produce more pumpkins than any other state (suck it, Iowa!) I think we're #1 for horseradish, but hopefully no one's holidays will be ruined if that's in short supply.
What size of canned pumpkin?
Oh the canned pumpkin shortage. There was supposedly one last year also, but I honestly never experienced it. I bought fifteen cans nonetheless. It seemed crucial. And necessary.
This year what seems crucial and necessary is that I make these babies. Amazing.
Those whoopie pies look fabulous! I bet this whole pumpkin shortage rumor is a conspiracy by the pumpkin industry. We should start our own rumors. Like a ketchup shortage or something…
Did you just use food coloring to make the frosting orange?
love your blog! as a fellow semi-authority on nessie (i base this solely on the fact that i have been to loch ness in the fun-to-say little town of drumnadrochit) i felt compelled to write and say that i also think there's a very slim chance of finding her…the loch is ENORMOUS! but if we go fishing with these pumpkin whoopie pies, we might get some good photos… worth a shot!
I spent a few weeks scouring the shelves for pumpkin without luck. I finally broke down and made my own puree…and immediately found about 20 can at Price Chopper…
Whatever..my puree is just as good :) except now I have to convert pumpkin cans to cups whenever I bake. (It’s 7/8ths in this recipe, by the way)
Yum! These look fantastic and I bet they taste delicious!
I will have to add these to my PUMPKIN "To Bake" list!
Wow, looks so attractive… another keep for a pumpkin recipe! Thanks for sharing
I made these and they are fantastic. So cute!