PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES

Steps:

• For cookie-cakes:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices in a bowl.
• Whisk together sugar, oil, pumpkin, egg, and vanilla in a separate large bowl until well combined, then stir in flour mixture.
• Using a 1-ounce ice cream scoop or tablespoon measure, drop a scant scoop's worth of batter or 2 scant tablespoons of batter onto a lined baking sheet to form 1 mound. Make 15 more mounds, arranging them 2 inches apart until baking sheet is full (you will have batter left over).
• Bake until springy to the touch, 12 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookie-cakes to rack to cool.
• Form and bake remaining batter on the other parchment-lined sheet. You should have a total of 32 cookie-cakes.
• Leave oven on.
• For candied pecans:
• Line a small sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Stir together sugar, salt, and 1/2 tablespoon water in a small saucepan. Heat over moderate heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Stir in pecans.
• Spread mixture on lined sheet pan and bake until coating is bubbling and golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Cool completely on pan on a rack.
• Coarsely chop candied pecans.
• For filling:
• While cookie-cakes are baking, beat cream cheese, butter, and salt in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and bourbon and mix on low speed until smooth.
• Chill filling until firm enough to hold its shape when spread, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Assemble whoopie pies:
• Spread 1 heaping tablespoon of filling each on flat side of half the cooled cookie-cakes, then top with other half of cookie-cakes. If necessary, chill whoopie pies just long enough to firm up filling again, about 30 minutes.
• Gently press pecans onto filling around middle of each whoopie pie to help them adhere to filling.