Introduction
Whoopie pies — two soft cake-like cookies sandwiched around a creamy filling — are a holiday classic, but traditional versions are loaded with white flour and sugar in both the cake and the frosting. This guide reworks 4 festive flavors using almond flour, sugar substitutes, and sugar-free frostings, so you can bring a holiday treat to the table without the blood sugar spike. As always, check with a doctor or dietitian before making major dietary changes if you’re managing diabetes.
1. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Ingredients Cakes
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup erythritol
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp red food coloring
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp vinegar (helps activate the color and leavening)
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 3 tbsp powdered erythritol
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
How to Make
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Cream butter and erythritol; beat in egg, almond milk, food coloring, and vinegar.
- Mix in almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder until a thick batter forms.
- Drop rounded spoonfuls onto the sheet, spaced apart, and smooth into small domes.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until set but still soft. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered erythritol, and vanilla until smooth.
- Sandwich filling between two cake halves of similar size.
Why It’s Diabetic-Friendly Almond flour and erythritol replace the white flour and sugar in both the cake and filling, and cream cheese adds fat and protein that slow sugar absorption.
Nutrition (per whoopie pie, ~8 pies) Calories: 190 | Carbs: 6g | Net Carbs: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Fat: 17g | Protein: 5g
2. Chocolate Peppermint Whoopie Pies
Ingredients Cakes
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup erythritol
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ tsp baking powder
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 3 tbsp powdered erythritol
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- Crushed sugar-free peppermint candy (optional, for garnish)
How to Make
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and erythritol; beat in egg and almond milk.
- Mix in almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder.
- Drop spoonfuls onto a lined sheet, smooth into domes.
- Bake 10–12 minutes. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered erythritol, and peppermint extract until smooth.
- Sandwich filling between cake halves; roll edges in crushed sugar-free peppermint if desired.
Why It’s Diabetic-Friendly Peppermint extract delivers festive flavor without any added sugar, and the cocoa-almond flour cake keeps the glycemic load far below a traditional chocolate whoopie pie.
Nutrition (per whoopie pie, ~8 pies) Calories: 195 | Carbs: 6g | Net Carbs: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Fat: 17g | Protein: 5g
3. Matcha Christmas Whoopie Pies
Ingredients Cakes
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- 1 ½ tbsp culinary-grade matcha powder
- ½ cup erythritol
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ tsp baking powder
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 3 tbsp powdered erythritol
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
How to Make
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and erythritol; beat in egg and almond milk.
- Sift in matcha powder, then mix in almond flour and baking powder.
- Drop spoonfuls onto a lined sheet, smooth into domes (green cakes make a festive contrast with white filling).
- Bake 9–11 minutes until set. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered erythritol, and vanilla until smooth.
- Sandwich filling between cake halves.
Why It’s Diabetic-Friendly Matcha contains catechins studied for potential mild benefits to insulin sensitivity, and this recipe uses no refined sugar or grain flour in either the cake or filling.
Nutrition (per whoopie pie, ~8 pies) Calories: 185 | Carbs: 5g | Net Carbs: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Fat: 16g | Protein: 5g
4. Double Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies
Ingredients Cakes
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup erythritol
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ⅓ cup sugar-free dark chocolate chips
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 3 tbsp powdered erythritol
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
How to Make
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and erythritol; beat in egg and almond milk.
- Mix in almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop spoonfuls onto a lined sheet, smooth into domes.
- Bake 10–12 minutes. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered erythritol, cocoa powder, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
- Sandwich filling between cake halves.
Why It’s Diabetic-Friendly Double chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder and sugar-free chocolate chips rather than sugar-heavy chocolate, keeping the overall net carbs low for a rich, indulgent treat.
Nutrition (per whoopie pie, ~8 pies) Calories: 205 | Carbs: 7g | Net Carbs: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Fat: 18g | Protein: 5g
A Few General Tips
- Uniform cakes: Use a small cookie scoop so your cake halves match up in size for even sandwiches.
- Sweetener notes: Powdered erythritol (not granulated) gives the filling a smooth, frosting-like texture without graininess.
- Portions: Whoopie pies are rich and filling — one is usually plenty as a holiday treat.
- Storage: Keep assembled whoopie pies refrigerated (cream cheese filling) in an airtight container up to 5 days, or freeze unfilled cakes up to 3 months.
This guide is for general informational purposes and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or registered dietitian, especially if you’re managing diabetes.