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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.

Now that we’re out of January, I’m hoping that the 2010 food trend predictions slow down for awhile. It’s been a busy couple of months not only fielding questions and doing interviews about food trends but also reading all the other food trend predictions out there in the media. I need a wee rest!

There’s no doubt that macaron interest is at a fever pitch and that whoopie pies are getting their time in the spotlight. However, while cupcakes may have become mainstream and not qualify as an emerging or developing trend anymore, all this talk about macarons and whoopie pies being the new cupcakes is hogwash. Here’s why:

1. Anyone can make a cupcake and frosting using a simple recipe or mixes. Not so for macarons. They take special attention and are pretty darn fussy for even experienced bakers to make.
2. Kids love cupcakes because they can be customized. Sandwich cookies like macarons and whoopie pies offer a lot less opportunity to express your personal decorating creativity.
3. Macarons contain nuts. Ergo, they are never going to be served at schools, kids’ activities or birthday parties for kids.
4. Whoopie pies are cute and delicious but, like macarons, they aren’t as flexible in form.

So, while both macarons and whoopie pies are trending up, they are not the new cupcakes IMHO. Care to disagree? Go right ahead. After all, that’s why I have a comments section.