These Red, White and Blue Whoopie Pies are an absolute showstopper for any patriotic celebration! Tender, cake-like cookies sandwich a dreamy cream cheese filling, all dressed up in vibrant colors and festive sprinkles. And the best part? They come together so effortlessly, even on the busiest weeknights. Don’t be surprised if these sweet treats become your new go-to for holidays, birthday parties, or just because you need a little fun in your dessert routine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bakes in a Breeze: No need to spend hours in the kitchen—using a boxed cake mix and instant pudding makes things so much faster without sacrificing flavor.
- Family-Friendly Fun: From stirring in the food coloring to decorating with sprinkles, this recipe is incredibly kid-friendly and perfect for making together.
- Showstopping Looks, Simple Steps: These whoopie pies always impress with their vibrant hues and whimsical style, yet the process is easy enough for bakers of any skill level.
- Soft, Rich, and Cheery: The cookies are pillowy-soft and buttery, with a creamy tangy-sweet filling that’s genuinely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to create these celebration-worthy whoopie pies, plus a few notes for perfect results:
- White Cake Mix: The backbone of the cookie, delivering a light, sweet flavor and a tender crumb. Take a shortcut and embrace the convenience.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds wonderful moisture and depth of flavor, keeping the cookies soft.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Softened for easy mixing is a must.
- Eggs: The binder that brings the dough together and gives structure.
- Red and Blue Food Coloring: For those star-spangled colors! Gel colors work best for vibrant shades.
- Red, White, and Blue Sprinkles: Because every festive dessert needs a little sparkle. Roll the edges of your whoopie pies for irresistible appeal.
- Cream Cheese: The star of the filling—tangy, smooth, and creamy.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and creates a luscious, spreadable consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the filling, boosting the overall flavor.
Tip: You’ll also want parchment paper for easy cookie removal and an airtight container for storage.
Variations
Why not make these whoopie pies your own? Try some of these twists:
- Flavor Switch: Swap in lemon or almond extract for a new spin on the filling.
- Chocolate Lovers: Use chocolate cake mix instead of white for dramatic flair.
- Decorate Your Way: Try silver stars, edible glitter, or holiday-themed sprinkles for different occasions.
- Add Fruit: A thin layer of berry jam inside each pie adds a tart, jammy surprise.
How to Make Red, White and Blue Whoopie Pies
Prepare the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer, combine the cake mix and instant vanilla pudding powder. Add the softened butter and eggs. Beat on medium speed until a thick dough forms—don’t worry, it’s supposed to look substantial!
- Divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one and blue to the other, stirring each until you achieve bold, streak-free colors.
- Scoop tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart—they’ll spread a little!
- Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes. The cookies are ready when they gently spring back if pressed.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Filling
- While the cookies cool, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes on medium-high.
- Add vanilla extract and mix until silky and smooth.
Assemble the Whoopie Pies
- Spread or pipe a generous dollop of the cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Top with a second cookie, flat side down, to sandwich the filling.
- Roll the sides of the cream cheese filling in a shallow bowl of sprinkles, gently pressing to coat.
- Repeat until all cookies are sandwiched and shimmering with sprinkles.
Admire your handiwork—these are party-perfect mini masterpieces!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Bring Everything to Room Temperature: Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs aren’t cold. This ensures a super-smooth batter and filling.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: For vibrant, deep color without over-thinning your dough.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies should be set but still soft for that cake-like texture. They’ll firm up as they cool.
- Fill Generously: Don’t skimp on the filling! It balances the cookie and makes every bite decadent.
- Decorate Fast: Roll the pies in sprinkles right after assembling while the filling is still fluffy, so the colors stick beautifully.
How to Serve
These whoopie pies are all about bringing festive cheer to the table, so serve them proudly however you like!
- On a Platter: Arrange on a colorful tray or cake stand for a real centerpiece at picnics, BBQs, or family gatherings.
- Parade-Ready: Wrap in cellophane bags with ribbons for party favors or lunchbox treats.
- With Berries: Serve alongside fresh strawberries and blueberries for a refreshing touch and an extra punch of patriotic color.
- With Ice Cream: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate summer dessert.
Share them at your next celebration and watch them disappear faster than fireworks fizzle out!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place assembled whoopie pies in a single layer, or separated by wax paper, in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to keep the filling fresh.
Freezing
Whoopie pies freeze beautifully! Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw individual pies in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying.
Reheating
No need to reheat—these are best enjoyed cool or at room temperature. For the softest cookies, allow refrigerated or frozen pies to sit out for 10-15 minutes prior to serving.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cake batter instead of a boxed mix?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite white cake recipe, feel free to use it here. The box mix just makes everything quicker on busy days.
Can I make the filling ahead and refrigerate it?
Yes, the cream cheese filling can be made a day in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to use. It may need a quick stir before spreading if it’s very firm.
Are these whoopie pies suitable for kids to help make?
Definitely! Kids love coloring the dough and rolling the finished pies in sprinkles. Just watch the food coloring—those vibrant hands will need a good wash after.
Can I use different food coloring or sprinkles for other holidays?
Without a doubt—just swap out the food dyes and sprinkles to match your celebration. These whoopie pies are wonderfully adaptable for every season and theme.
Final Thoughts
Red, White and Blue Whoopie Pies are the best kind of festive treat—cheerful, delicious, and incredibly easy to whip up. This recipe is proof that impressive desserts don’t need to be complicated, and a little color and creativity go a long way. Grab some cake mix, rally your helpers, and enjoy making (and eating!) these star-spangled delights together. Give them a try and discover your new favorite crowd-pleaser!
PrintRed, White and Blue Whoopie Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 whoopie pies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Red, White, and Blue Whoopie Pies are soft, pillowy cookies sandwiched with a creamy, tangy filling, perfect for patriotic celebrations. Made easy with cake mix and instant pudding, and colored with vibrant food dyes, these treats offer a fun twist on the classic whoopie pie. With a luscious cream cheese filling and decorated with colorful sprinkles, they are both eye-catching and delicious—ideal for summer gatherings, picnics, or holiday parties.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 small (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- Red food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the white cake mix and instant vanilla pudding mix. Add softened butter and eggs, then beat on medium speed until everything is fully combined. The dough will be thick.
- Color the Dough: Divide the prepared dough evenly into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one half and blue food coloring to the other. Mix each until the color is uniform and there are no streaks.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop rounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cookie rounds spring back when gently pressed. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Filling: While the cookies cool, make the filling. In the clean bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.
- Assemble Whoopie Pies: Once cookies are completely cooled, use a knife or spoon to spread a generous layer of cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with another cookie, flat side down, to form a sandwich.
- Decorate: Roll or sprinkle the filling edges with red, white, and blue sprinkles for a festive finish. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling.
- Store and Serve: Place assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- The dough will be thick; use a strong spoon or cookie scoop for shaping.
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before filling to prevent the filling from melting.
- Store in the refrigerator if not serving immediately, as the cream cheese filling is perishable.
- For uniform cookies, use the same size scoop for all portions.
- You can substitute gel food coloring for more vibrant hues without affecting the dough’s texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 whoopie pie
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
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