Maine Whoopie Pies

By Addie

A strangely named dessert, whoopie pies are essentially a cookie sandwich, with a fluffy white filling between the cookies. A traditional treat in New England and a well-loved comfort food in Maine, the whoopie pie is usually chocolate, but other variations abound. The origins of the pie are found in Amish cooking, and according to Amish legend, when the pies were discovered in a child’s lunch box, the response was “Whoopie!”

Sarah Vaughan, Waterville, Maine, sends the version from her state, writing, “Here in Maine, there are several groups that want the Whoopie Pie named the state’s official dessert.”

Ingredients

• Cookies:
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup sour milk
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ...............................
• Filling:
• 2 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 tablespoons marshmallow crème or smooth peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F.

For cookies, cream shortening and sugar. Beat together eggs and vanilla; add to creamed mixture. Mix cocoa in hot water; add to egg mixture alternately with sour milk. Add flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.

Drop by tablespoon on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.


For filling, shake flour and milk in jar until smooth. Cook and stir until very thick; cool. Cream sugar and shortening, add marshmallow crème, vanilla and salt. Mix well and combine thoroughly with cooled flour mixture. Usually doubled for 1 batch of pies.