Can I make these without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! While a stand mixer makes the process easier, you can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a wooden spoon for the cookie dough. For the frosting, a hand mixer is recommended to achieve the right consistency.

How do I prevent my sprinkles from bleeding into the dough?

Work quickly when rolling the dough balls in sprinkles, and don't press too hard. Also, choose higher-quality sprinkles that are less likely to bleed their colors. If making ahead, roll in sprinkles just before baking rather than prepping all the dough balls at once.

Can I make mini whoopie pies instead?

Definitely! Use a teaspoon-sized scoop for bite-sized treats. Reduce the baking time to about 8 minutes and check frequently to prevent over-baking. These mini versions are perfect for dessert trays or children's parties.

My cookies spread too much during baking, what went wrong?

This typically happens when the butter is too warm or the dough wasn't chilled. Try refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes before scooping and baking. Also, make sure your oven is properly preheated and not running hot.

Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe

Name: Easter Whoopie Pie Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box french vanilla cake mix; 1 large egg; ½ Cup butter, unsalted; 1 Cup sprinkles (Easter-themed); 2 Cup sprinkles (additional for rolling); ½ Cup butter, unsalted (softened); 2 ½ Cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream; Gel food coloring (Pink)

This delightful Easter Whoopie Pie recipe transforms a simple cake mix into festive, sprinkle-covered treats that will brighten any spring celebration. These soft, sandwich-style cookies filled with creamy pink vanilla frosting are not only visually stunning but absolutely scrumptious. Ready in just 22 minutes, they’re the perfect sweet treat for your Easter gathering or spring dessert table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Simple: Uses a cake mix as the base, making these whoopie pies foolproof even for novice bakers.
Festive Appearance: The colorful Easter sprinkles make these treats instantly holiday-appropriate without complicated decorating techniques.
Time-Saver: From mixing to munching in under 30 minutes – perfect for last-minute entertaining needs.
Kid-Friendly: Little ones will love both eating these treats and helping to roll the dough balls in sprinkles.
Crowd-Pleaser: The soft cookie exterior with creamy frosting center creates a texture combination everyone adores.

Ingredients You’ll Need

French Vanilla Cake Mix: The secret shortcut that gives these cookies their tender, cake-like texture and wonderful vanilla flavor.
Egg: Provides structure and helps bind everything together.
Butter: Makes the cookies rich and adds a wonderful buttery flavor – be sure it’s unsalted so you can control the sweetness.
Easter Sprinkles: These add festive color and a bit of texture to the exterior – choose pastel colors for maximum Easter vibes.
Powdered Sugar: Creates that smooth, sweet frosting texture without any grittiness.
Vanilla Extract: Use pure extract for the best flavor in your frosting.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Gives the frosting its luxurious, silky texture – don’t substitute with milk!
Pink Gel Food Coloring: Gel varieties give vibrant color without thinning your frosting – perfect for that Easter pink hue.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Flavor Combinations

Chocolate Lovers: Use chocolate cake mix for the cookies and add cocoa powder to the frosting.
Lemon Fresh: Add lemon zest to the cookie dough and substitute lemon extract for vanilla in the frosting.
Strawberry Dream: Use strawberry cake mix and add freeze-dried strawberry powder to the frosting.

Holiday Adaptations

Christmas Version: Use red and green sprinkles with peppermint flavoring in the frosting.
Halloween Treats: Orange and black sprinkles with chocolate frosting.
Birthday Celebration: Rainbow sprinkles with the birthday person’s favorite frosting flavor.

How to Make Easter Whoopie Pies

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a standing mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the cake mix, egg, and softened butter until a soft dough forms. Gently fold in 1 cup of Easter sprinkles until evenly distributed.

Step 2: Form and Decorate

Using a small cookie scoop, portion the dough and roll it into balls. Pour the remaining 2 cups of sprinkles into a bowl and roll each dough ball until completely coated in colorful sprinkles. Place them on your prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each ball.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’ve spread slightly and set around the edges but still look soft in the center. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before moving to the next step.

Step 4: Prepare the Frosting

In your standing mixer, beat the softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream. Mix until the frosting is smooth and holds a peak. Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring and mix until you achieve a beautiful Easter pink shade.

Step 5: Assemble Your Whoopie Pies

Transfer your frosting to a piping bag. Match your cookies into pairs of similar sizes. Pipe a generous amount of frosting onto the flat side of one cookie from each pair. Gently press the second cookie on top to create a sandwich, being careful not to squeeze the frosting out the sides.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter is properly softened for both the cookies and frosting for the best texture.
Don’t Overmix: Once your dough forms, mix just enough to incorporate the sprinkles – overmixing will make tough cookies.
Consistent Sizing: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform sizes, which makes for better-looking whoopie pie pairs.
Cooling is Crucial: Let the cookies cool completely before filling or the frosting will melt and slide off.
Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too stiff, add a tiny bit more cream. If it’s too loose, add more powdered sugar.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve these colorful treats with:

A cold glass of milk for the kids
Coffee or tea for the adults
Fresh strawberries or other spring fruit for balance

Display Ideas

Arrange on a tiered cake stand for an Easter dessert table
Place in colorful cupcake liners for easy handling at parties
Stack in clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons for adorable gifts

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep at room temperature for 2-3 days, though they’re best enjoyed within the first 48 hours.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. The assembled whoopie pies don’t freeze as well because the texture of the filling changes.

Reheating

These don’t need reheating, but if you’ve frozen the unfrosted cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour before assembling with fresh frosting.

FAQs

Can I make these without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! While a stand mixer makes the process easier, you can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a wooden spoon for the cookie dough. For the frosting, a hand mixer is recommended to achieve the right consistency.
How do I prevent my sprinkles from bleeding into the dough?

Work quickly when rolling the dough balls in sprinkles, and don’t press too hard. Also, choose higher-quality sprinkles that are less likely to bleed their colors. If making ahead, roll in sprinkles just before baking rather than prepping all the dough balls at once.
Can I make mini whoopie pies instead?

Definitely! Use a teaspoon-sized scoop for bite-sized treats. Reduce the baking time to about 8 minutes and check frequently to prevent over-baking. These mini versions are perfect for dessert trays or children’s parties.
My cookies spread too much during baking, what went wrong?

This typically happens when the butter is too warm or the dough wasn’t chilled. Try refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes before scooping and baking. Also, make sure your oven is properly preheated and not running hot.

Final Thoughts

These Easter Whoopie Pies bring together the best of both worlds – the ease of a semi-homemade recipe with the charm of a handcrafted treat. The sprinkle-coated exterior makes them instantly festive, while the soft cookie and creamy filling create that classic whoopie pie experience everyone loves. Whether you’re hosting Easter dinner, contributing to a spring potluck, or simply wanting to brighten someone’s day, these colorful treats deliver big smiles with minimal effort. Give them a try – your friends and family will be asking for them year after year!