Reverse Trick-or-Treating

Everything is weird. That could be the real theme of 2020 😆

As the holidays approach, I've been wondering how many of our usual traditions won't happen because events and activities will be cancelled or modified. I'm trying to stay two steps ahead by coming up with different things we can do this year, and "reverse trick-or-treating" was one of the first ones we tried out.

First, we made pumpkin whoopie pies. As you can see in the photo, Toby likes to help (long enough to lay claim to a mixing spoon for licking 😏). Here's the recipe we followed, and would definitely make again!

Fall Inspired Whoopi Pies

•  3 
  cups
   
  all-purpose flour
•  2 
  tablespoons
   
  cinnamon
• 
   1 
  teaspoon
   
  baking powder
•  1 
  teaspoon
   
  baking soda
•  1 
  teaspoon
   
  salt
•  2 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
•  1 
  cup
   
  granulated sugar
•  1 
  cup
   
  dark brown sugar
•  1 
  cup
   
  canola or vegetable oil
•  3 
  cups
   
  chilled pumpkin puree
   
  (canned pumpkin)
•  2 
  eggs
•  1 
  teaspoon
   
  vanilla extract

FOR THE MAPLE-CREAM CHEESE FILLING:

•  3 
  cups
   
  powdered sugar
•  8 
  ounces
   
  cream cheese
   
  (at room temperature)
•  1/2 cup 
  unsalted butter, at room temperature
•  3 
  tablespoons
   
  maple syrup
•  1 
  teaspoon
   
  vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, the dark brown sugar, and the oil together. Add the pumpkin puree and whisk to combine thoroughly. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk until combined.
4. 4. Sprinkle flour mixture over pumpkin mixture and whisk until completely combined and no flour streaks remain.
5. 5. Use a small cookie scoop or a large spoon to drop a rounded, heaping tablespoon of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
6. 6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cookie comes out clean. The cookies should be firm when touched. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a cooling rack.
7. 7. To make the filling, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth with no visible lumps, about 3 minutes. Add the cream cheese and beat until smooth and combined, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, then add the maple syrup and vanilla and beat until smooth.
8. 8. To assemble the whoopie pies: Turn half of the cooled cookies upside down. Pipe or spoon the filling (about a tablespoon) onto that half. Place another cookie, flat side down, on top of the filling. Press down slightly so that the filling spread to the edges of the cookie. Repeat until all the cookies are used. Put the whoopie pies in the refrigerator for an hour to firm before serving.
9. 

After they were good and solid the boys donned their costumes and delivered a few to some neighbors. This might have to become a new tradition, as not only was it fun, but it was a good way to bless friends and spread some smiles.

Are you thinking of ways to celebrate the upcoming holidays differently? I'd love to hear your ideas, so leave a comment below!

Filled with Hope,