# Vegan Sandwich Cookies These Chocolate Whoopie Pies are Free of Dairy and Gluten By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-09-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-whoopie-pies References: [minimalistbaker](http://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-whoopie-pies/) The Minimalist Baker blog put together a vegan-friendly recipe for chocolate whoopie pies. A whoopie pie is a miniature dessert that features two mound-shaped pieces of cake with a creamy filling sandwiched between them. The tasty dessert is a classic American treat that comes in many different varieties. While whoopie pies are a beloved treat, they are traditionally made with ingredients that are not appropriate for those who adhere to a vegan diet. This recipe puts a healthy spin on the classic [sandwich cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vafels-stroopwafels) by making them without the use of dairy or gluten. The cake batter itself is made from almond meal, gluten-free oat flour and a flax egg. The filling is made from coconut whipped cream, which provides a [dairy-free form of frosting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rooting-for-you-carrot-cake-slices). To make the recipe even healthier, the cookies are sweetened with natural ingredients instead of refined sugar. The chocolate whoopie pies are the perfect treat for those who adhere to a vegan diet. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Vegan Desserts:** Creating vegan versions of classic treats like whoopie pies opens up opportunities for businesses to tap into the growing demand for plant-based options. - **Gluten-free Baking:** With more people adopting gluten-free diets, businesses can innovate by offering baked goods like whoopie pies that cater to this dietary restriction. - **Natural Sweeteners:** Using natural sweeteners in desserts presents an opportunity for businesses to capitalize on the increasing consumer interest in healthier alternatives to refined sugar. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Vegan Food:** The vegan food industry can explore and develop new products centered around vegan dessert options like whoopie pies. - **Gluten-free Products:** The gluten-free market can expand by providing a variety of gluten-free baked goods, including options like vegan whoopie pies. - **Natural Sweeteners:** The natural sweetener industry can create and promote alternatives to refined sugar for use in baking, catering to health-conscious consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nutritionally Enhanced Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veggies-made-great1.md) - [Soft-Baked Free-From Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-chocolate-chip-cookies.md) - [Plant-Based Nut Butter Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-peanut-butter-crunch-pie.md) - [Vegan Artistic Cookie Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artist-palette-sugar-cookie-kit.md) - [Indulgent Dairy-Free Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-cookie-lover.md) - [Veganized Caramel Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traditional-caramel-stroopwafel.md) - [Allergy-Friendly Cookie Doughs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allergy-friendly-cookie-dough.md) - [vegan Ready-to-Bake Cookie Doughs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/readytobake-cookie-dough1.md) - [Seasonal Free-From Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southern-roots-vegan-bakery.md)