Banana Bread Whoopie Pies with Fluffy Vanilla Bean Frosting

Published September 29, 2012. Updated August 21, 2019

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Have you ever tried banana bread in cookie form with a thick fluffy layer of frosting sandwiched between two of them? With these cookies now is your chance. They taste just like banana bread with an added bonus, a luscious layer of vanilla bean frosting. Lightly said, these cookies are amazing!

I saw the Banana Whoopie Pies over at Martha Stewart and new I just had to try them. Lucky for me I keep a stock of overripe bananas in the freezer for emergencies such as this, where I need an overripe banana in it’s prime but don’t want to wait 7 more days for it to hit its peak ripeness.

I used to question whether or not freezing bananas was a good idea until I tried if for myself a few months ago. It actually works great. You simply just leave them unpeeled and pop them into the freezer when they are nice and spotty. Then when you are ready to use them, thaw the frozen banana out (to room temperature, sometimes I cheat and even thaw them in the microwave) then peel and prepare them  as directed in your recipes.

Their texture is different from that of an overripe banana that has not been frozen (I’m thinking of the word juicy, so be sure to add all those juices when prepping). They won’t hold their shape well, but they are perfect for recipes that call for mashed bananas. Their color may not be the most pleasant, as the peel will blacken a bit when frozen, but this doesn’t affect their flesh or taste so don’t worry.

I made a few changes to the original cookie recipe. I didn’t think 1/2 cup banana would give the cookies near enough banana flavor so I doubled it, then reduce the sour cream by half. I also decided to leave the vanilla out of the cookie portion because I wanted it all to come from the frosting so I could have an equal balance of banana and vanilla flavor. It is an entirely different frosting than what they had listed, but I think a cream cheese version would be delicious as well (although I’d use a lot more powdered sugar than they did, less cream cheese and add some butter of course =). Enjoy!

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Banana Bread Whoopie Pies with Fluffy Vanilla Bean Frosting

Soft and fluffy banana flavored cookies filled with a luscious frosting.
Servings: 24
Prep30 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

Fluffy Vanilla Bean Frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together mashed banana and sour cream, set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer on medium-high speed, whip together butter, granulated sugar and light-brown sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Blend in egg. Add banana mixture and mix until combine. Slowly add dry ingredients and mix just until combine. 
  • Scoop dough by rounded tablespoon fulls (about 1 1/2 Tbsp) and drop onto Silpat or parchment lined baking sheets placing them about 1 1/2 inches apart, then smooth edges and flatten cookie as needed (diameter of cookie should be about 1 1/2 - 2 inches. 
  • Alternately you can fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4 inch plain tip with batter, then pipe dough into 1 1/2 inch rounds onto baking sheet - if you do this method you may get more than 2 dozen pies). Bake in preheated oven for 12 - 13 minutes until edges are golden. 
  • Allow to cool 2 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Spread and sandwich a layer of frosting between two cookies. Store in an airtight container (in refrigerator if not serving within a few hours) .

Fluffy Vanilla Bean Frosting

  • In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer on medium high speed, whip butter and vanilla bean seeds until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract and blend 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Recipe Source: cookie portion adapted slightly from Martha Stewart, frosting - Cooking Classy

 

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15 Comments

  • Whoopie Pie love « cook bake and eat

    […] Banana Whoopie Pies – Now I know Lau will loathe these with a passion as they feature bananas, but I will still have to give these a whirl as I adore bananas in anything and everything. I always feel I’m being healthy when a banana is involved, even if I’m clearly not! […]

  • Celia

    Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe! I made these over the holidays and everybody wanted the recipe. They remind me of my childhood favourite – Sara Lee Banana cake! I will try piping them onto the baking sheet next time to make a more uniform shape.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You’re very welcome Celia! I’m so glad you enjoyed them and that they reminded you of a childhood favorite =). I love when I make something that reminds me of my childhood, it’s so fun to go back in time for a moment. Thanks for your comment!

  • Jaclyn

    Anonymous – I would recommend in the refrigerator, they are to be served immediately according to marthastewart.com I think just because they will sort of ripen after a few hours and kind of break down like banana bread does (similar to how the crust of banana bread will become sticky and moist) but the refrigerator would probably slow the process so yes that would be a good idea. Just be sure it’s in an airtight container, then maybe let them rest at room temp before enjoying unless you prefer them cold.

  • Christi Silbaugh

    Oh, all I need is a glass of milk and those whoopie pies and I am all set!

  • sally @ sallys baking addiction

    vanilla beans are NOT cheap, you are right! Thank you for the suggestion and link Jaclyn! These whoopie pies look incredible. I love banana desserts :)