There’s something incredibly joyful about baking these Easter Whoopie Pies. With soft, cake like vanilla cookies hugging a swirl of pastel pink vanilla frosting, and finished with a coating of Easter sprinkles, they’re almost too whimsical to be real. But trust us they taste just as magical as they look. Perfect for springtime gatherings, brunches, or kids’ Easter baskets, they bring happiness to every bite.
Whether you’re prepping a fun dessert for family dinner or organizing an Easter party, these sweet sandwich cookies offer the perfect blend of charm and flavor. With a quick prep using cake mix and a silky homemade frosting, you’ll have festive, bakery-style treats ready in under an hour. They’re the ultimate celebration of the season: simple, colorful, and made to share.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
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1 box French vanilla cake mix
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1 large egg
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½ cup unsalted sweet cream butter (softened)
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3 cups pastel Easter sprinkles
For the Vanilla Frosting:
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½ cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
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2½ cups powdered sugar
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2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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Pink gel food coloring (a few drops)
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
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In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, combine cake mix, egg, and butter until a soft dough forms.
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Mix in 1 cup of sprinkles.
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Use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough, roll into balls, and coat each one in the remaining sprinkles.
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Place the dough balls on the cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes until set.
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Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
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In a clean mixing bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a few drops of pink gel food coloring. Mix until light and fluffy.
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Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
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Pair the cookies by size and pipe frosting onto the flat side of one, then sandwich with a second cookie.
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Press gently and enjoy your festive treats!
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: approx. 320 kcal per whoopie pie | Servings: 12 whoopie pies
Celebrate Spring with Colorful Easter Whoopie Pies
There’s a special magic that floats through the air as Easter approaches warmer days, blooming flowers, and a renewed sense of joy. It’s a time for family gatherings, laughter, and of course, festive sweets that bring smiles to faces young and old. Among the many treats that capture the spirit of the season, Easter Whoopie Pies stand out as a whimsical, colorful, and utterly delightful dessert that is as fun to make as it is to eat.
Whether you’re an experienced home baker or a newbie looking for something eye-catching and easy to create, Easter Whoopie Pies are the perfect springtime project. They combine the charm of cupcakes with the portability of cookies and the indulgence of cake and frosting. These pastel-coated beauties have all the elements of a show-stopping dessert, but with the ease of using a cake mix and just a few pantry staples.
What Makes Easter Whoopie Pies So Special?
Traditionally, whoopie pies are a New England Amish treat that combines two soft, rounded cakes with a layer of fluffy filling sandwiched in between. While the original flavors are chocolate and marshmallow, this Easter version gives the classic dessert a seasonal twist.
Instead of rich chocolate, the cookie base is made with French vanilla cake mix, which offers a light and buttery flavor with a soft texture that holds its shape while still being tender. The edges are coated in pastel-colored Easter sprinkles, giving them that holiday sparkle and visual appeal. As for the filling? A luscious vanilla buttercream with a soft pink hue ties it all together.
This recipe hits the sweet spot between homemade and hassle-free. Using a cake mix shortens prep time while still delivering a bakery-quality result. The real fun comes in assembling and decorating, making this a fantastic activity to enjoy with kids or even as part of an Easter baking party.
A Dessert Made for Celebrating
One of the reasons Easter Whoopie Pies are such a hit is because they bring out the joy in holiday baking. Their bright pastel colors fit seamlessly with the themes of renewal, rebirth, and springtime beauty. They look stunning on a dessert table alongside other Easter staples like deviled eggs, carrot cake, or chocolate nests.
Kids adore the burst of color and the fun of getting a “dessert sandwich.” Adults appreciate the nostalgic familiarity of the whoopie pie paired with a modern, cheerful design. They’re easy to pick up and eat no forks or plates necessary and they make delightful gifts when wrapped individually in clear cellophane with a ribbon.
If you’re hosting an Easter brunch, setting up a dessert buffet, or even looking for something to add to Easter baskets, these whoopie pies check all the boxes. They’re festive, crowd-pleasing, and customizable to suit your color scheme or flavor preferences.
Creative Variations and Decorating Tips
While the pink buttercream and Easter sprinkles are the stars of this version, there’s plenty of room for customization. You can switch out the pink gel coloring for other springtime shades think robin’s egg blue, soft lavender, or sunny yellow. Use multiple colors to create a rainbow effect, or divide your frosting batch and create a multicolor piping bag for a beautiful swirl.
You can also adjust the flavor profile slightly by adding citrus zest (like lemon or orange) to the frosting for a brighter tang. Alternatively, swap the vanilla extract with almond or coconut extract for a different twist.
Sprinkles are another area where creativity can shine. From confetti dots to mini Easter egg shapes, there’s a wide variety available online and in stores. For a rustic or vintage look, you might even roll the frosted edges in shredded coconut dyed green to resemble grass.
For an elevated presentation, serve these whoopie pies on a pastel-colored cake stand with edible flowers or paper doilies. They also look charming in individual treat boxes or mason jars if you’re planning to give them as gifts.
Fun for All Ages
Baking these whoopie pies is a family-friendly experience. If you’re looking for ways to get kids involved in Easter preparations, this recipe is ideal. Little hands will love rolling dough in sprinkles, scooping frosting into piping bags, and matching up cookie halves to make sandwiches.
Not only is it a bonding activity, but it’s also a learning opportunity for young bakers to explore textures, colors, and basic kitchen skills. And let’s face it kids love seeing the transformation from batter to baked treats to beautifully decorated whoopie pies.
You could even turn it into a friendly family competition: who can make the most colorful one, the tallest stack, or the most even sandwich? The possibilities are endless.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Easter can be a busy holiday, so having a make-ahead dessert like this can be a lifesaver. These whoopie pies store well in the fridge or freezer, making them easy to prepare in advance.
Refrigeration: Store finished whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Freezing: You can also freeze the cookies (unfrosted or frosted) by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, and then transferring them to a freezer-safe container. If freezing assembled pies, separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep for about a month.
Transporting Tips: If you’re bringing these to a gathering or potluck, line a shallow box or baking dish with parchment paper and nestle each whoopie pie carefully to avoid squishing. They’re surprisingly sturdy but appreciate a gentle hand.
Why You’ll Want to Make Them Every Spring
Easter Whoopie Pies aren’t just a one-time treat. Once you try them, they might become a new spring tradition. They’re incredibly versatile, visually stunning, and universally loved. The soft cookie exterior, the creamy buttercream center, and the festive colors create an irresistible combination.
Beyond Easter, you can tweak this recipe for other holidays too. Use red and green sprinkles for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or red, white, and blue for the 4th of July. Swap out the gel food coloring and sprinkle mix, and you’ve got a year-round recipe base that adapts beautifully to every occasion.
Conclusion:
Easter is all about new beginnings, blooming life, and celebrating with those we love and food plays a huge role in how we gather and create memories. These colorful, fluffy Easter Whoopie Pies are a joyful reminder of the magic that can happen when you combine simple ingredients with a bit of creativity.
They’re easy enough for beginner bakers, fun enough to do with kids, and delicious enough to make year after year. Whether you’re baking them for your family, a church potluck, or an Easter egg hunt party, these cheerful treats will bring smiles all around. So, grab your apron, gather your sprinkles, and get ready to wow your guests with a dessert that’s as sweet as the season itself.