While whoopie pies are not just trending up in the US but also glamming up, here in central Canada when I mention these sweet treats I’m more likely to get a blank stare or quizzical look than a request for cookies.
Whoopie pies are not a big part of the Canadian dessert experience and although I see them being mentioned and offered a little more often now than I did a year or two ago, cupcakes or macarons are certainly both more popular here.
So for my curious readers who want to be on the advancing curve, here’s a bit of info about this emerging dessert trend. (Interestingly, whoopie pies are not included in the Food Lover’s Companion. This is the second time I’ve found this trusted source lacking in less than a month and, quite frankly, my world is shaken.)
What is a whoopie pie? Not a pie at all, whoopie pies are made by sandwiching two cakey textured cookies around a frosting layer. Seven minute style frostings are often the base of the filling but so is marshmallow fluff enriched with shortening (no, really!). While I can’t prove, it, I’d say the Jos Louis was inspired by the whoopie pie.
Where did this idea come from? According to Wikipedia, whoopie pies have their origins in Pennsylvania’s Amish baking traditions. Apparently, they became wildly popular in Maine after a recipe for them appeared in a 1930’s cookbook called the Yummy Book.
What about recipes?
• Yummy Book Classic
• Buttermilk Whoopie Pies (pictured above)
• Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
So, let’s be honest. Are you a whoopie pie virgin? You can tell me. It’s okay. I’ve only done the whoopie pie thing once myself. I won’t judge you.
