Salted Caramel Cake Mix Whoopie Pies

by Iris Hung
If you love the perfect balance of sweet and salty desserts, these Salted Caramel Cake Mix Whoopie Pies are a must-try. Made with cake mix for convenience and flavored with salted caramel flavoring extract, these soft, cake-like cookies are sandwiched with a creamy filling and finished with a crunchy salted caramel crumb topping.

The combination of fluffy cookies, smooth caramel filling, and a crispy crumb coating creates a bakery-style treat that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
For the Whoopie Pies
• 1 box vanilla or butter cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
For the Filling
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Make the Batter
 
In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and salted caramel flavoring extract. Mix until a soft dough forms.

3. Scoop the Dough
 
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 5cm between each scoop.

4. Bake 
 
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the cookies are set and slightly golden around the edges. Allow them to cool completely before filling.

5. Prepare the Filling
Beat the butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the salted caramel flavoring extract and mix well. Add heavy cream if needed to reach a smooth, pipeable consistency.

6. Assemble the Whoopie Pies
 
Pipe the filling onto the flat side of one cookie and place another cookie on top to create a sandwich.

7. Add the Salted Caramel Crumb Coating
 
After assembling the whoopie pies, gently dip or roll the exposed filling edges into the salted caramel crumb topping so the crumbs stick to the filling.

Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Whoopie Pies

• Use a cookie scoop for even sizes
This ensures each whoopie pie sandwiches together neatly.
• Don’t overbake
Whoopie pies should stay soft and cake-like.
• Pipe the filling slightly thicker
This helps the crumb topping stick better around the edges.
• Add a pinch of flaky sea salt
Sprinkling a little flaky salt on top enhances the salted caramel flavor.

Optional Variations
• Chocolate Salted Caramel Whoopie Pies
Use chocolate cake mix instead of vanilla for a richer desserts.
• Salted Caramel Drizzle
Drizzle caramel sauce over the assembled whoopie pies.
• Crunchy Pretzel Topping
Mix crushed pretzels with the crumb topping for an extra salty crunch.

FAQ

1. What cake mix works best for salted caramel whoopie pies?
Vanilla, butter, or yellow cake mix works best because it complements the caramel flavor.

2. Can I use caramel sauce instead of caramel extract?
Yes, but caramel sauce may make the filling thinner. Using caramel extract provides a stronger flavor without affecting the texture.

3. How should I store salted caramel whoopie pies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

4. Can I freeze whoopie pies?
Yes. Wrap each whoopie pie individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

5. Why are my whoopie pies spreading too much?
If the dough is too warm or oily, the cookies may spread. Chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking can help.

 

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