Apple Cider Whoopie Pie

I love fall and all of its beauty but there's something special around this time of year with food. The flavors and smells are amazing and the feeling of comfort takes place. One of everyone's favorite things to do in the fall is going to an apple orchard and bringing home some apple cider donuts. The best fall delicious sweet treat! Here we have an upgraded version of that donut! I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

For the Cakes

1¼ cup apple cider

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus 2 tablespoons melted

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

¼ cup  apple butter

¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Filling

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. You want to reduce the apple cider over medium high heat until you have 1/4 cup of liquid left. You need to let it cool completely before you can use it in the batter.

In a small bowl mix together the dry ingredients…. Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Baking Soda, 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon, Ginger, and freshly grated nutmeg. Mix and set aside.

Using an electric mixer combine the butter and brown sugar until creamy. Then add the egg, apple butter, and reduced apple cider. Mix until combined. Add the dry mixture and slowly combine.

Using a 2 tablespoon scoop placed on a silpat lined baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes. Rotate your pans and bake for another 6 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks.

In a small bowl mix together the remaining cinnamon and sugar. Brush the tops of the cakes with melted butter and then toss in the sugar mixture.

With an electric mixture beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the confectioners sugar and vanilla and beat until combined. Spread filling on the flat side of the cake and top with the other halves.

We hope you enjoy them!