In honor of Maine’s bicentennial here are some fun facts about Maine’s official treat, the Whoopie Pie. Now before we begin there are two things you must understand. First the Whoopie Pie is Maine’s official state “treat.” Not to be confused with Maine’s official state dessert which is the Wild Blueberry Pie. Second, although it has pie in it’s name, there’s nothing pie-like about the Whoopie Pie!
The Whoopie Pie is a bit of a conundrum. It’s definitely not a pie, because it doesn’t have a crust. Although it is shaped like a creamed filled cookie, it doesn’t really fall into that category either. The cream filling is surrounded by two cake-like pieces, but most bakers will argue it isn’t a cake. In fact, a Whoopie Pie, just like our state drink Moxie, is distinctively different! According to the Farmer’s Almanac, “Amish wives invented the Whoopie Pie from remnants of cake batter and frosting. According to the story, the name originated from the Amish men who, when they found these treats in their lunch boxes, would exclaim, ‘Whoopie!’”
However, despite the name being credited to the Amish in Pennsylvania, the origin of the Whoopie Pie is clouded in controversy. At least four states: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania each claim to be the birthplace for the beloved Whoopie Pie, which also goes by the names of black moon, gob, black and white, and devil dogs! We do know though that the first known commercially produced Whoopie Pies were sold by Labadie’s Bakery in Lewiston, Maine, in 1925. Although some even argue about that date, and say it was earlier in 1918.
What we do know for certain is that the traditional Whoopie Pie is made from chocolate cake with vanilla frosting in the center. However, it can also be found in a variety of flavors including all chocolate, yellow cake with vanilla, peanut butter, strawberry, gingerbread, and Mom’s favorite pumpkin with buttercream frosting, just to name a few of the many varieties made by bakeries across the country and beyond. They also vary in size, from bite size to ones that put giant hamburgers to shame. In fact, the world’s largest Whoopie Pie was created in South Portland, Maine, on March 26, 2011, weighing in at 1,062 pounds!
Just like our state drink, Moxie, there is also a festival to celebrate our favorite treat, at the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival held in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. Now unlike other events that had to be canceled this year, have no fear. 2020 will NOT be known as “The Year Without Whoopies!” Instead the hosts have reimagined it as a month-long virtual celebration called, “WHOOPtoberfest!” However, as all Whoopie Pie aficionados know, the third Saturday in June is the official Whoopie Pie Day in the state of Maine. However, whenever you celebrate be sure to yell “Whoopie!”*
