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This Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies recipe is the perfect dessert for spring. It’s everything you love about carrot cake but more compact. It’s a little bit cookie, it’s a little bit cake, and it’s a whole lot of deliciousness!
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies Recipe with Coconut
When my brother Jeff first saw this Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies recipe of mine, he said, “What is that? I need that in my life. They look dope.” Haha! I feel the same way, Jeff! This might be the best way to describe these carrot cake whoopie pies…they are dope!
The toasted coconut sandwiched in between the carrot cake with the cream cheese frosting is simply amazing. In Jeff’s words, the carrot and coconut combination in this recipe is the bomb dot com!
I think you will all agree with my brother after you whip up these carrot cake whoopie pies. They are so stinkin’ good!
With Spring in full swing, I thought it would be epic to dedicate an entire week to one of my favorite desserts, CARROT CAKE! This week you’ll find this recipe plus 3 other variations of carrot cake!
More Carrot Cake Recipes:
- Carrot Cake Loaf Cake
- Classic Carrot Cake
- Bakery-Style Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cake
- Ultimate Carrot Cake Recipes Round-Up
- Carrot Cake Cookie Bar Recipe
If you love these Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies, you need to try some of these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, S’Mores Whoopie Pies, Classic Maine Whoopie Pies, and Red Velvet Whoopie Pies.
Cook’s Notes – Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies:
- Make sure that you scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed in this recipe. This will ensure that everything gets evenly combined.
- Ensure that your eggs and butter are at room temperature because this will make them easier to mix into the batter. Also, this will make it less likely for the batter to become over-mixed.
- Use freshly grated carrots in this recipe, not the pre-shredded variety from the grocery store (the shred is too large for these whoopie pies).
- If you don’t want lumpy frosting, make sure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. Additionally, make sure you’ve sifted the powdered sugar.
Kitchen Equipment:
- Here’s some of the kitchen equipment that I used to make this Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies Recipe successful.
- This scoop is perfect for making these whoopie pies and scooping out perfectly portioned cookies and cupcakes.
- Mesh strainers for sifting dry ingredients together. I also use these for sifting the powdered sugar too.
- Wire racks are workhorses in my kitchen. I use them for cooling baked goods and for roasting meat over a foil-lined baking sheet.
ONE YEAR AGO: Sheet Pan Chicken Teriyaki with Pineapple
TWO YEARS AGO: Roasted Cauliflower with Rigatoni
THREE YEARS AGO: Breakfast Burritos
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies with Coconut
Ingredients
FOR CAKE TOPS:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated carrots
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- pinch table salt
- ½ teaspoon coconut extract
- ½ cup toasted coconut
Instructions
MAKE CAKE TOPS:
- Place the oven racks in the middle and lower-middle positions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using electric hand beaters, add the butter and sugars and mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs & vanilla and mix on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute.
- Dump in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined about 30 seconds. Fold in the carrots and shredded coconut.
- Scoop and drop 3 Tablespoons of the batter, 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. (I used a 3 Tablespoon scoop to make this a lot easier). Bake for 12 minutes, rotating the pans half-way through baking until the cake tops are just firm and spring back when pressed. Let the cake tops sit on the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
MAKE THE COCONUT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a medium bowl using electric hand beaters, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and no lumps remain about 30-60 seconds. Add the sifted powdered sugar, salt, and coconut extract and mix on medium speed until just combined about 30-60 seconds.
TO FINISH:
- Add about 2 tablespoons of the frosting to the flip side of one of the cake tops. Gently press shredded coconut into the frosting and top with another cake top to create your whoopie pie. Sprinkle more coconut in the crevasse (optional). Repeat to make 11 more whoopie pies.
- Store your whoopie pies by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and keep in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
This post first appeared on FFF on March 1, 2015. I have since updated the pictures. Some of the originals are below.
Christine says
Whooopie! Wouldn’t it be great if we could stuff eggs with these instead of candy? I love the beautiful, toasted coconut as an addition to the idea of carrot cake!
Jillian says
Christine, I like how you think! 😉
Our Mini Family (@ourminifamily) says
Oh my YUM! These carrot cake whoopie pies look amazing! Will be perfect for my sister in law’s baby shower–thank you for the recipe!
Jillian says
You’re so welcome. They’re a great Spring treat!
Emily Thompson says
ow wow, it’s like you read my mind of my favorite things. I adore carrot cake and to make it like this looks delightful!! So create!
Jillian says
Thanks, Emily!
Kim @ 2justByou says
Oh, I bet these taste sooo good! My kids love carrot cake. I also love coconut. This just sounds like the best of both!
Jillian says
They are super god, I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Meagan says
Wow! Those look amazing! My husband would love them. One of his favorites is carrot cake. I love the coconut pies too. They are adorable and look yummy!
Jillian says
Thanks, Meagan. They’re one of my favorite desserts!
Natalie @ Life Made Simple says
Ok, these look incredible! I absolutely adore anything carrot cake!
Jillian says
Natalie, me too!
Stephanie says
Amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Jillian says
Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie!
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
These look so delicious! I’ve never made homemade whoopie pies but I would love to!
Jillian says
These are really good, you should give them a try!
triedandtasty says
I’ve really wanted to make whoopie pies, these look so good!
Jillian says
They’re awesome, you should give them a try! Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne.
Debra says
These look delicious! I love carrot cake!
Britney Mills (@princesscowboys) says
These are so fun! I have never made carrot cake let alone these delicious cookies but I will have to try!
savoryexperiments says
What a great idea and just in time for Easter and Spring!!! Pinning!
Angela says
I love the idea of these!! The recipe sounds amazing and what stunning photos! I am totally drooling over these!
Catherine says
Dear Jillian, These whoopie pies sound marvelous! I love the bits of coconut…so good! xo, Catherine
Jillian says
Awww, thanks Catherine! 🙂
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
What a fun spin on the traditional whoopie cookie.
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter says
These sound amazing Jillian. Can’t wait to try them!
mealplanmaven says
Oh I just adore these Jillian! So creative and fun!
Jillian says
Thanks Linda, they’re on of my favorites!
Nicole Neverman says
These whoopie pies sound really delicious! Loving the combination of carrot and coconut!
April J Harris (@apriljharris) says
What gorgeous Whoopie Pies, Jillian! Love the carrot/coconut combination!
Jillian says
Thanks April, it’s a killer combination for Spring!
keciasflavorbreakthrough says
Fantastic idea! My Honey loves carrot cake, I know he would love these!