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Anise Hyssop Whoopie Pies

Anise hyssop whoopie pies are impressive in flavor and presentation. They also make a delightful way to share the herb garden with friends and family.

Anise hyssop cookies on a white plate with sprigs of fresh anise hyssop flowers and text overlay.

Soft and cake like with a chocolate filling, anise hyssop cookies are a perfect substitute for cupcakes or even full-size cakes at large gatherings for easy sharing. 

Light Black Licorice Flavor

Anise hyssop has a delicate black licorice flavor. It’s there but not so overwhelming as to turn off black licorice haters and yet still please the lovers.

Jeff loves black licorice anything. Me not so much. Both of us love this dessert.

Anise Hyssop Leaves & Blossoms

Use the leaves, blossoms, or some combination of both in the cookies and the filling. The leaves have plenty of flavor on their own. The blossoms, too, have plenty of flavorful oils so use whatever is available. 

Finely chop both the leaves and the flower blossoms for these cookies. No one wants a giant herb leaf in their dessert. This isn’t a salad, after all.

The leaves and the purple blossoms will leave some delightful color in the light cookie. 

What is a Whoopie Pie?

Growing up in Pennsylvania, the Amish sold traditional whoopie pies. Those traditional whoopie pies are chocolate cookies with vanilla frosting as the filling.

These anise hyssop whoopie pies follow that tradition with soft cookies and creamy filling. These are not as sweet as traditional whoopie pies but no less delightful.

Anise hyssop whoopie pies on a plate with sprigs of fresh anise hyssop.

Fill or Frost

Spreading the filling between two cookies would be the most traditional. However, it is not the only option for this dessert.

Don’t want to make whoopie pies? The anise hyssop cookies are soft and delicious on their own. Simply bake and serve.

Alternatively, bake the cookie and just spread a little bit of the filling on the top of each cookie. This will give much of the flavor and provide extra cookies for large gatherings or potlucks. 

Anise hyssop whoopie pies on a plate with sprigs of fresh anise hyssop.

Size of the Whoopie Pie

Traditionally, whoopie pies are fairly large. Which are great for super decadent personal desserts. However, make these 2-bite size for large platters or buffets for a change and spread the love.

Make Ahead

If time is crunched, make the cookies one day. Make the filling and assemble the whoopie pies the next day. The cookies will keep quite well in an airtight container for several days.

Use Instead of Cupcakes

These are soft cake-like cookies which makes them an ideal substitute for cupcakes. Consider serving these at an adult birthday party instead of cupcakes or slicing into a large cake. 

Yield: 9 Large Pies

Anise Hyssop Whoopie Pies

Anise hyssop whoopie pies on a plate with sprigs of fresh anise hyssop.

Anise hyssop whoopie pies are soft, lightly flavored black licorice cookies sandwiched around a chocolate anise hyssop frosting.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Assembly 10 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes

Ingredients

Anise Hyssop Cookies

  • ¼ Cup Milk
  • 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Anise Hyssop
  • ½ Cup Butter, softened
  • ½ Cup Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 ½ Cup Sprouted Pastry Flour or All-Purpose Flour
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda

Anise Hyssop Cocoa Frosting

  • 1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped FeshAnise Hyssop
  • ¼ Cup Butter, softened
  • 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
  • 1 ⅔ Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Milk

Instructions

Cookies

  1. In a small saucepan, warm the milk. Don't boil or even simmer, just warm it. Remove from heat, stir in the chopped anise hyssop and cover. Let cool to room temperature.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking sheet.
  3. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract beating well. Add he flour and baking soda and mix slightly. Pour in the anise hyssop milk mixture and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
  4. Drop the dough by Tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are golden.
  5. Cool completely on wire racks.

Filling

  1. Cream together the butter and anise hyssop until soft and fluffy. Add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and milk. Beat slowly until everything is smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Whoopie Pies

  1. Onto the flat bottom of a cookie, place a generous Tablespoon of filling. Top with another cookies and press so that the filling fills to the edge of the cookies.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1 Whoopie Pie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 541Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 362mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 2gSugar: 38gProtein: 8g

We try our best but cannot guarantee that nutrition information is 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Jackie

Thursday 9th of July 2020

Yum! Never had whoopie pies but I can't wait to try it! How many cookies or pies does this recipe make?

Kathie Lapcevic

Saturday 11th of July 2020

It will make 9 large whoopie pies. You could, of course, make them smaller if desired.

Denise

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

I'm looking forward to trying this recipe. My husband, PA Dutch, grew up on Whoopie Pies and always picks some up when we visit Lancaster Co.

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