This whoopie pie cake recipe is a fun variation on those cute little pies! All that chocolatey goodness sandwiching a delicious frosting makes this a much sought after birthday cake in our family!
I adore whoopie pies, especially the way my mom made them. Always have and even today, I could eat one every day.
And as I have little self control when it comes to these chocolatey babies, I felt like doing something different because one whoopie pie would become two and then three, etc.
Realizing my dilemma, I figured – if it comes in a cake form, then I would eat one piece. Just ONE in a sitting. And if I made Christopher cut my portion and hide the whole darn thing away from my chocolate laser beam eyes, then I’d be golden. I can be satisfied with one piece, as long as it isn’t skimpy. Feeling me? Ah-huh. I knew you would.
The dense fudginess of the chocolate engulfing the sweet frosting makes this cake a favorite. One of the things I love is that you don’t need the whole cake to be covered in frosting because it’s so delicious and satisfying.
I decided to make a marshmallow fluff butter cream frosting. This is a variation on my mom’s recipe but I really like it.
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Helpful tips
- Once you’ve whisked together the cocoa powder and water, the longer it sits, the thicker it gets.
- You need to take the butter out at least 30 minutes before starting the recipe. I like to take it out one hour before and in the winter months, I actually take it out the night before.
- To quicken the softening of the butter: unwrap it, place it in the mixer and cut it into pats with a knife.
- To keep your hand clean when you grease the cake pans, put a sandwich baggie over your hand, scoop out some vegetable shortening and spread it thickly around the pan. Then peel off the sandwich baggie and you have a clean hand.
- How to sour milk – Add 2 cups of milk to a small bowl and whisk in 2 tablespoons vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes.
- You will have extra frosting but don’t worry because it freezes well – put in an airtight container and use within 3 months.
How to make a whoopie pie cake
Pre-step
Take butter out at least 30 minutes before starting the recipe.
Step one
Get your stand mixer and two greased 9 inch cake pans.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step two
In a mixing bowl, add cocoa powder and water and whisk until combined, then set aside. (A)
Step three
Place butter and sugar in the mixer. (B) Mix until combined.
Step four
Get the eggs, and soured milk (see how to do that in helpful tips above). (C)
Step five
Add them to the mixer. (D)
Step six
Gather flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. (E)
Step seven
Add dry ingredients and the chocolate/water mixture to the mixer. (F)
Step eight
Turn the mixer on and mix until incorporated. Divide the batter between the two greased pans. (G)
Step nine
Bake for 25 minutes. Test with a cake tester to make sure they are done. The tester should come out clean. If it doesn’t, bake for another 2 minutes and test again.
Place pans on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. (H)
Step ten
Remove cake from the pans to the wire rack and let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Step eleven
Once the cake has cooled, gather the ingredients for the frosting – softened butter, marshmallow fluff and confectioner’s sugar. (I)
Step twelve
Place in the mixer and mix together until combined. (J)
Step thirteen
One big difference between a whoopie pie cake and individual whoopie pies is that the chocolate halves of a cake can’t be round or the cake would just flatten on a cake dish.
To make it easier to frost, I cut the domes off the two cake rounds and throw the domes away, (or eat them, hardy-har-har).
Put the first cake round on the cake dish, dome cut side facing up. Dollop a good amount of frosting on top. (K)
Step fourteen
Spread the frosting around. (L) Put as much or as little as you want. You will have some frosting left over.
Step fifteen
Place the other cake round dome-side down on top of the frosting. Take some of the leftover frosting and fill in the gap between the rounds.
Time to cut the cake.
And take a delicious bite.
I hope you enjoyed this whoopie pie cake recipe. It’s super delicious.
Other fun delicious cakes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Whoopie Pie Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups milk soured with 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups marshmallow fluff
- 3 cups confectioner's sugar
Instructions
Cake
- Take out butter at least a half hour before starting the recipe
- Preheat oven 350 degrees F and liberally grease two 9 inch cake rounds
- In a small bowl combine cocoa and hot water, set aside
- In stand mixer, cream softened butter and sugar together until creamy
- Add eggs, sour milk and mix together, it will be a little watery
- Add flour, cocoa mixture, baking soda, baking powder and salt, mix until incorporated
- Pour batter into prepared cake round pans and bake for 25 minutes
- Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans and placing them on wire racks to cool fully
Frosting
- In the mixer, add softened butter, marshmallow fluff and confectioner's sugar. Turn the mixer on low and gradually increase the speed until the frosting is totally mixed
- Cut the domes off the cakes for easier frosting and either throw them away or set aside to eat later
- Place one of the rounds, dome side up on the cake base and dollop a healthy amount of the frosting on the cake. Use a knife to spread the frosting over the cake round
- Place the other round dome side down on top of frosted one and add more frosting around the edges so it is level with the sides
- Cut into slices
- Plate
- Eat
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Once you’ve whisked together the cocoa powder and water, the longer it sits, the thicker it gets.
- You need to take the butter out at least 30 minutes before starting the recipe. I like to take it out one hour before and in the winter months, I actually take it out the night before.
- To quicken the softening of the butter: unwrap it, place it in the mixer and cut it into pats with a knife.
- To keep your hand clean when you grease the cake pans, put a sandwich baggie over your hand, scoop out some vegetable shortening and spread it thickly around the pan. Then peel off the sandwich baggie and you have a clean hand.
- How to sour milk – Add 2 cups of milk to a small bowl and whisk in 2 tablespoons vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes.
- You will have extra frosting but don’t worry because it freezes well – put in an airtight container and use within 3 months.
Scott
This makes me wish I wasn’t gluten free…. Looks so good!
Elaine
Thank you Scott,
Hmmmm. Wheels are turning.
Elaine
Andrea Wyckoff
Wow! Yes Please! Who can pass up a slice of this beautiful whoopie pie cake!
Elaine
Not me! That’s for sure. 🙂
Elaine
Joyce
Now, this looks interesting and I can’t wait to make it!
Elaine
Thanks Joyce. I hope you enjoy it!
Gloria
With so many of us not being able to leave our homes (except to get food)…we all need some delicious recipes to make. They have to be easy too. This is perfect.
Elaine
Thanks so much Gloria! Easy and delicious is essential!
Colleen
We all need treats right now, and this is perfect. I just need to get some marshmallow fluff, and then I can make this yummy cake!
Elaine
I went to the store the other day to get more fluff (I’m addicted to the stuff) and they were all out! 🙁 Hope you can find some, Colleen! Thanks for your comment.
Kushigalu
These pie looks so delicious and great recipe. I will try this soon!
Elaine
Thanks Kushigalu! I hope you enjoy it when you do!
Taylor Kiser
I need this cake in my life! Looks out of this world delicious!
Elaine
Thank you Taylor! I appreciate it!
Vicky
All the yummy, chocolate flavor of a whoopie pie in a cake?!?!? Yes, please!!!
Elaine
It’s one of my favorite cakes. I have to spread out the time between baking it since hubby raises his eyebrow at me. Thanks for the comment Vicky!
Anita
I love whoopie pies, and this giant cake version is such a marvelous beauty to behold.
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Anita! 🙂
Laura | Wandercooks
This cake looks just divine!! I have no doubt it will be a hit with the fam!
Elaine
I bet it will too Laura! Thanks for the comment!
cyndy
Wow – this looks soooo good! I love whoopie pies too and this is a good solution to keep from eating two -or three – or four .LOL
Elaine
Hehe. It actually works! Thanks Cyndy!
Anna
I wish there was an option just to reach out and grab this whole pie of my screen! That texture looks perfect, and I love that you’ve used marshmallow fluff in there! Perfect treat for the whole family (although, I would probably eat it all by myself) 🙂
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Anna! I have to usually give half the cake away because I KNOW I’ll eat it all myself. Thank you for your comment.
Denise
What a fun cake! Looks easy and delicious, perfect for any type of occasion. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Elaine
You’re welcome, Denise! Thanks for your comment!
Amy Liu Dong
This recipe deserves to have 5 star ratings, it’s delicious and such a perfect desserts to prepare for our lunch today.
Elaine
Thanks Amy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Analida Braeger
I had all the stuff to make this while sheltering in place and it was amazing! Thanks so much!
Elaine
Thank you Analida! This is one of my go-to cakes! I’m pleased that you enjoyed it!
Veronika
I was just thinking about this cake this week. My mouth is watering when look at your photos. Will bake it this weekend!
Elaine
Wonderful, Veronika! You’ll have to let me know how it came out.
Kari | Chef and Steward
Can I just eat the whole darn cake? Great idea for those of us who do not own whoopee pie pans.
Elaine
Hehe. I have to wait for when I have guests to make this cake because I will eat the whole thing myself. 🙂 Thanks Kari!
Sharon
Those pies were a favorite of mine growing up. Making this cake took me back and my family loved it so much!
Elaine
I’m so happy to hear that Sharon! Thank yo so much!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Oh my sweet heavens this looks amazing! I was just looking for a different cake to make and voila! There you are 🙂 I can’t wait to make this!!!
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Lori! I hope you enjoy it when you make it!
Cathleen
I JUST ran out of cocoa powder, but I am DEFINITELY going to make this soon. Bookmarked for later, thanks for the amazing recipe 🙂
Elaine
You’re welcome Cathleen! I hope you enjoy it when you make it. It’s a keeper for sure.
Gabby
My family and I love this cake! It is so delicious. I am going to make it for a family member’s birthday, and I will need to transport it in the car. Would you recommend putting it in a cooler, or is a cake container alright? I will make the cake the day before. The car ride is about four hours. Thank you so much for your awesome recipe!
Elaine
Gabby, I’m so glad to hear you love the cake. I think it’s fine in a cake container. I’ve transported it that way. The only time I have ‘worried’ is if it is super hot in the car – or the cake was in the sun. But other than that, it travels really well.