Ironically, October is the month when kids binge the most on candy as Halloween approaches, AND it's also designated as Orthodontic Health Month. We think that's funny!

We know realistically that your kid is probably going to eat something sugary this month. Instead of chewy caramels that stick to braces or hard candies that could damage your orthodontic appliances, here is a DELICIOUS alternative... Pumpkin whoopie pies filled with decadent cream cheese frosting!

This recipe features thick, soft pumpkin cookies filled with tangy cream cheese frosting that make these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies a perfect fall treat. And the best part? They are braces-friendly!

If you make these pumpkin pies, let us know how they came out by posting on our Facebook Page or emailing Lauren@macsmiles.com.

Ingredients

For the Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups solid pack pumpkin
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 and ¾ cup all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 and ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• 2½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars until well creamed. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
2. Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir until combined.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheets. Bake for 13-14 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. Do not over bake. Let cool completely.
4. To make the filling, beat the butter and cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and salt and powdered sugar until smooth.
5. To assemble the whoopie pies, spread a thick layer of cream cheese filling on the bottom half of a cookie, top with the other half.

xx,

A Hungry McFarland Orthodontics Staffer

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I found this recipe here! http://chocolatewithgrace.com/cream-cheese-filled-pumpkin-whoopie-pies/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes

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