Whoopie Pies with Lemon Buttercream Recipe
These delightful Lemon Whoopie Pies feature soft, tender cake rounds infused with lemon zest and lemon oil, sandwiched with a rich, creamy lemon buttercream. Perfectly balanced with zesty citrus flavors and a luscious texture, they make an irresistible treat for any occasion.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 whoopie pies (24 cake rounds) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cakes:
- 192 grams all purpose flour (1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 60 grams unsalted butter, softened (4 tablespoons)
- 105 grams granulated sugar (1/2 cup)
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil
- 75 milliliters whole milk (1/3 cup)
Lemon Buttercream:
- 60 grams unsalted butter, softened (4 tablespoons)
- 400 grams confectioner’s sugar (3 cups), plus more to adjust consistency
- 55 milliliters whipping cream (about 1/4 cup), plus more to adjust consistency
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest, packed
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon oil
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Yellow gel food coloring (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375° F (190° C). Line one large tray or two smaller baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and fine sea salt until evenly combined.
- Whip Butter: In a separate mixing bowl or stand mixer, whip the softened unsalted butter on high speed until it becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Sugar and Wet Ingredients: Gradually mix in the granulated sugar, then add the egg, lemon zest, and lemon oil. Continue mixing on high speed until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, then fold in the whole milk. Mix on low speed just until combined; do not overmix to keep the cakes tender.
- Pipe the Batter: Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe 1 1/2-inch rounds onto the prepared trays, leaving enough space for spreading. Refrigerate the trays for 20 minutes to help the cakes set.
- Bake the Cakes: Bake the rounds, one tray at a time, for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are very lightly golden brown. Let the cakes cool on trays for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely while preparing the buttercream.
- Prepare Lemon Buttercream: In a large bowl or stand mixer, whip the softened butter on high speed until fluffy. Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar alternately with the whipping cream, mixing well after each addition.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon oil, fine sea salt, and yellow gel food coloring (if using). Continue mixing until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or cream as needed. The buttercream should be pipeable yet thick and creamy.
- Assemble the Whoopie Pies: Match the cake rounds into pairs with similar sizes. Pipe a generous amount of the lemon buttercream on the flat side of the bottom halves, then sandwich with the top halves gently pressing together.
Notes
- Refrigerating the piped batter before baking helps the cakes hold their shape and results in a better texture.
- Lemon oil intensifies the lemon flavor without adding liquid, but can be omitted if unavailable.
- You can store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If yellow gel food coloring is used, add sparingly to avoid altering the flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 whoopie pie
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: lemon whoopie pies, lemon buttercream, lemon dessert, whoopie pies, lemon cake, citrus dessert, summer treats