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This festive treat brings together soft chocolate cakes with a creamy orange filling and playful decorations. Perfect for Halloween parties or family fun in the kitchen, these little sandwiches can be styled simply with sprinkles or turned into spooky spiders with candy eyes and licorice legs.
I first made these when my son brought them to his kindergarten class. His teacher said they were the best birthday treat ever, and they have been a family tradition since.
Ingredients
- Devil’s Food cake mix: provides a deep chocolate base and saves time compared to baking from scratch
- Instant chocolate pudding mix: enhances density and boosts cocoa flavor
- Vegetable oil: keeps the cakes moist and tender
- Eggs: give structure and stability to the batter
- Vanilla cake icing: is the sweet creamy filling that can be tinted for seasonal fun
- Orange food coloring gel: creates a bold Halloween shade without watering down the icing
- Black sprinkles or sparkles: add festive decoration and texture
- Optional licorice and candy eyes: transform these into spiders for a playful twist
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Set oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment to ensure the cakes release easily.
- Mix Batter:
- In a large bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil, eggs, and water. Beat on medium speed until the batter is thick and smooth which gives structure to the cakes.
- Portion Cakes:
- Scoop into 18 rounds for larger pies or 36 smaller ones. Pipe with a pastry bag if you prefer precise circles.
- Bake:
- Place trays in the oven and bake 7 to 10 minutes until spongy and firm to the touch. Remove and cool fully to avoid melting the filling later.
- Prepare Filling:
- Stir orange food coloring gel into vanilla icing until the color is bold and even. Gel creates a vibrant look without thinning the icing.
- Assemble:
- Spread or pipe icing onto the flat side of one cake. Gently top with another cake pressing just enough to hold without squeezing out the filling.
- Decorate:
- Sprinkle black decorations on top for a classic look. Add licorice legs and candy eyes for spiders or stencil powdered sugar designs for creative fun.
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My favorite part is letting kids get creative with decorations. Watching them turn simple cakes into spooky spiders always makes me smile and brings back memories of classroom parties.
Storage Tips
Store finished pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best freshness enjoy within three days. They can be frozen unassembled for up to one month.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use any chocolate cake mix or pudding flavor. Cream cheese frosting works as a substitute for vanilla icing if you prefer tangy sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve stacked on a black plate for a dramatic Halloween presentation. Pair with hot cocoa or spiced cider for a cozy fall treat.
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Cultural Context
Whoopie pies are a nostalgic dessert debated between Amish origins in Pennsylvania and popularity in Maine. They became a classic American handheld cake treat beloved across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes
- → Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, you can swap Devil’s Food for any chocolate variety or even other flavors to suit your taste.
- → How do I make the filling orange?
Simply mix food coloring gel into vanilla icing until you reach your desired shade of orange.
- → Can these be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble them in advance and store in the refrigerator for 2–3 days in an airtight container.
- → How can I decorate them for kids?
Try turning them into spiders with licorice legs and candy eyes or using stencils with powdered sugar for fun designs.
- → Do I need special tools to make them?
No, but piping bags and tips help with shaping the cakes and evenly applying the filling and decorations.