56 Responses to “Recipe: Real Maine Whoopie Pies”

1. gadsblog
   July 30th, 2009 @ 1:28 pm

   this post has touched my heart and made my day. what cute grammy's! and i LOVE whoopie pies and haven't had them in years. thanks!

2. chelsea
   July 30th, 2009 @ 1:41 pm

   OK.. these ladies are too cute!

3. Emily
   July 30th, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

   My dad grew up eating my grandmother's whoopie pies in Northern Vermont. She passed on the recipe before she died. I make them for family events and for friends. They are always a big hit although most people around here (SE Massachusetts) have no idea what they are and have never eaten them before. Maybe it's a northern New England thing??

4. Martina
   July 30th, 2009 @ 2:28 pm

   I LOVE these pictures! They remind me so much of my Granny. She used to make these too, only for some reason hers were called Gobs. (The rest of the world calls them Whoopie Pies)

5. Anonymous
   July 30th, 2009 @ 6:31 pm

   I like this post very much but felt compelled to say that there must be something nicer than "old bats" to call your older relatives in a published piece.

6. katy elliott
   July 30th, 2009 @ 7:03 pm

   I thought it was enduring. I see them as fun, jovial, sometimes silly.

7. Heidi
   July 30th, 2009 @ 8:13 pm

   I had these as a kid made by a Canadian friend. How lovely that I can now make them for my girls! Thank you – love your grannies too Hx

8. Shari Lidji
   July 31st, 2009 @ 8:19 am

   I love this post. Being from the South, I hadn't heard of Whoopie Pies until a few years back when I discovered a recipe in a Family Fun magazine. We've enjoyed them ever since. I always take them on camping trips. My brother in law makes everyone shout WHOOPIE! anytime they eat one. Thanks for sharing your family recipe.

9. Emily Kate
   July 31st, 2009 @ 9:43 am

   I grew up in a small Pennsylvania town with a large Amish population, and whoopie pies are a major staple there as well! (Martina – some people call them Gobs where I’m from too.)

   Our local recipes don’t call for any marshmallow fluff though, and versions made with pumpkin and banana instead of devil’s food cake are also pretty popular. They are so atrocious for your health, but so delicious! In fact, I could go for one right now…

   I am vacationing in Maine in September, so I will look out for a local version to taste test. I will also have to try your family recipe to see how it compares it to our own! Thanks for sharing!

10. Patsy
    July 31st, 2009 @ 11:16 am

    Fluff was invented by a couple of Swampscott boys and several generations of their Marblehead descendants spent their summers making Fluff at the Lynn plant.

11. Joanna Goddard
    July 31st, 2009 @ 11:21 am

    oh my goodness, YUM! this post is SO cute. i just posted about whoopie pies today, and chelsea told me i had to look over here, of course :)…i don't know how i missed this post! you guys are adorable. xo

12. liz
    July 31st, 2009 @ 3:57 pm

    So sweet!

    I miss Maine. Thanks for bringing it to us.

13. erin
    July 31st, 2009 @ 5:51 pm

    so, so cute. will be making whoopie pies this weekend. huzzah!

14. Tricia - Avolli
    August 1st, 2009 @ 6:00 am

    Being a Maine girl I have had the wonderful pleasure of growing up with homemade Whoopie Pie's. My mother's recipe is quite similar and now I make them for my family from time to time.

    Loved all of your images and the Grammies are adorable…reminds me of my grandmother who would always make homemade cream puffs for me before I came for a long visit as a little girl. They would be sitting on top of the refrigerator with homemade cream and home made chocolate to top them off…such a special memory.

    Tricia – Avolli

15. Emerson Merrick
    August 4th, 2009 @ 5:57 pm

    Can I just state for the record, i hope to referred to as an old bat one day? Is that so wrong?

    Even better would be to be part of an old bat team. Imagine the hilarity that will ensue. I can't wait.

16. Laura.
    August 8th, 2009 @ 9:29 am

    oh, my gosh! i love this post–all the bright colors, all the careful consulting of the recipe and placing on the cookie sheets. your photos are great, and now i'm excited to try whoopie pies myself! these ladies are so great!

17. jennifer Hazard
    August 18th, 2009 @ 10:46 pm

    Hi Katie,

    What a fun blog… I just happened to come across it while searching for a baker in Wiscasset. Look forward to reading more, and trying the Whoopie Pie recipe!

    All best,

    Jen Hazard
    cutepotato.com
    Your Guide to Everything Kid-Friendly in Maine

18. jill
    September 9th, 2009 @ 10:47 pm

    I have had a crush on Whoopie Pies since a visit to Maine 2 years ago. Not available or heard of in Oregon!

19. Anonymous
    September 17th, 2009 @ 3:10 pm

    I was born in Maine and remember fondly the whoopie pies my Mother would make. loved the photos, I am off to the kitchen soonas i m done typing to try the recipe! THANK YOU!!!

20. Belinda Macey
    November 17th, 2009 @ 1:26 am

    Hello from Canada!
    My dad had a nanny when he was growing up who was Pennsylvania Dutch in origin.Her name was Lillian and she came to Canada with her family for employment reasons. She had always made Whoopie Pies for my dad and his siblings. In latter years, when we visited with “Aunt Lillian” she also made them for the next generation. I have only found out the origin and recipes over the past few years with the help of the web. Thanks for the charming photos!

21. California Girl
    November 19th, 2009 @ 11:39 pm

    Wonderful site! So many treasured memories begin in kitchens. Thanks to Trader Joes, we out here on the west coast have had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful “east coast” secret. Look very forward to trying this recipe with my children!

    P.S Love those grannies:)

22. GY in HI
    November 24th, 2009 @ 2:20 pm

    One time my grandma (b. Kittery, ME) made whoopie pies, she left them on the kitchen table and when we came home Joe the dog had eaten them all. He was so sick, in fact, the expression “sick as a dog” originated with this event! What I also remember is my grandma laughing at the poor pooch. “Add that to the list of things you’ll never do again,” I am sure she said to him! I am going to try your recipe tonite and share with my pals (dogs not included) here in Hawaii. Mahalo. Aloha!

23. dale robbins
    December 5th, 2009 @ 7:32 pm

    hello my name is dale robbins and last night i was sitting and thinking about my mother and can rember when my mother make whoopie pies for us and did not rember how then i found you i just like to saw thank you and god blas

24. jennie
    December 8th, 2009 @ 9:54 pm

    Thank you for this great post! I made this recipe tonight and these pies are delicious! Tres magnifique!

25. adriane in richmond va
    December 8th, 2009 @ 11:18 pm

    thank you so so much for sharing this family recipe! Like the others, the pictures of the grandmothers and their wine making whoopie pies sealed it for me!! I love it!

    What a gift you’ve given us!!

26. Danielle
    December 12th, 2009 @ 7:52 pm

    I don’t think this is just a northern New England thing. I grew up in eastern CT and my mother used to make these when I was a kid. They were also staples at local craft fairs and bake sales.

27. Meg Price, Florida
    December 15th, 2009 @ 1:00 pm

    Hi,
    My sister who lives in Connecticut found this recipe of yours while trying how to remember how to make these like our mom did. Our mom was from Massachuesetts and we grew up making this exact recipe. We use to call them “Chucky’s Whoopie Pies” after my oldest brother who always asked my mom to make these.

    Thanks for the wonderful memories from your kitchen to mine!

    Merry Christmas!

    Meg Price – Florida

28. Jennifer
    December 31st, 2009 @ 11:09 pm

    I have been trying several recipes for whoopie pies and i think i like this one the best. The only think i would do differently is omit the salt in the filling. I grew up in Georgia but my parents are from New England so i grew up eating Whoopie Pies. I can’t seem to find my mother’s recipe so i looked on the internet and found this one.
    I love your blog too. I love the New England lifestyle!!

29. Tessa
    January 8th, 2010 @ 5:39 pm

    I am have been craving a Whoopie Pie for months, but we don’t have them over here in Michigan. Thanks!

30. Mel from New Mexico
    January 14th, 2010 @ 10:57 pm

    Hi. My grandmother made something like this here in New Mexico. She called them oodles and gobs. There were delicious chocolate cake/cookies filled with cream filling. I think I will try her old recipe!

31. Janice
    January 15th, 2010 @ 10:05 am

    Hi, Just found this and it made me homesick as I am from Millinocket, Maine. My girlfriend Judy and I used to make Whoppie Pies all the time as kids. Our filling did not have eggwhites but used about 1/2 cup of Fluff instead. Love the can of Moxie in one of the pictures; true Maine.
    I am living in FL now, and miss Maine very much.
    Thanks for the memories.
    Ya’ll have a good one! :-J

32. Saskia
    January 20th, 2010 @ 8:21 am

    Well, I can truly say that I have never heard of a whoopie pie here in Perth, Western Australia – whoopie cushion? yes! pie? no!

    Neither have I heard of fluff – a kind of marshmallow-ey filling? wonder what I could use instead…must do some research as the grannies have inspired me to bring some Maine to my 40 degree celcius day!

    Thanks for the great blog.

    Sas x

33. Kelley
    January 27th, 2010 @ 5:50 pm

    I’m from the Pittsburgh area and we call them “gobs”. Now I live near Lancaster, PA and can taste a slight difference in the Amish whoopie pie compared to what I grew up on. My husband is the cook in our house and he makes a delish whoopie pie. While searching for his recipe, I came across yours–the article and the photos are wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

34. DoriaJM
    February 6th, 2010 @ 11:08 am

    First of all, these women are hilarious! I can only imagine if they’re anything like my grandmother how much they had you in stitches that afternoon:)

    I just want to go on record saying that I’m from the suburbs of Central Mass (about 35 minutes from Boston) and we all grew up LOVING and knowing what whoopie pies are:) I know many mothers, mine included, that made them for school birthdays, bake sales, etc. They are DELICIOUS and probably the best and most dangerous dessert in many opinions around here ;)

    Thanks for this great post and I plan on making these today!

35. Alissa
    March 5th, 2010 @ 3:20 pm

    I live in Maryland and have family in NE PA and I know of them. Never had a “fresh” version, just in cello-wrap.
    There’s also a southern (?) version called moonpies which are similar (sold in Gas stations, etc in choc, vanilla and banana flavor).

36. Ron
    March 15th, 2010 @ 6:55 pm

    If anyone had any doubts about the location of the photos one only needs to check out photo #6! Now you can have your “whoopie pies” with milk but there’s nothing like a good MOXIE if you’re a true “Mainiac.”

    Mom would make them for me if I was “good” and I sure appreciate you sharing this post. Now it’s off to the kitchen, I’ve been inspired.

37. Anonymous
    March 18th, 2010 @ 8:55 am

    My sister Anne used too make Whoopie Pies in the 1940’s in Readville, Mass.. The only difference was in the filling. Instead of Marshmellow fluff she used a half cup of shortening. I am going to try yours and check out the difference in the taste of the filling. Thank you for sharing your recipe with the world.
    Grace French, Cambridge Maine

38. Emily
    March 31st, 2010 @ 12:19 am

    Just stumbled across your blog and am very pleased to have found a jewel. :) We call them gobs where I’m from in western PA. I haven’t had one in ages! Will have to make these sometime soon…

39. Angelo Demma
    April 20th, 2010 @ 3:56 pm

    whoopie pies crackingwhen they are baking

40. Michael Morrill
    April 25th, 2010 @ 10:26 pm

    So happy to have this recipe and planning on giving it a shot this weekend!

    Anyone know of a substitute for Fluff, though? Kinda hard to find in Hong Kong. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Ahhhhh, whoopie pies, how I miss thee!

41. Katy Elliott
    May 2nd, 2010 @ 8:20 pm

    Hmm not sure of a substitute. I guess anything marshmallow flavor?

42. SUZYQ007
    May 18th, 2010 @ 10:43 pm

    After purchasing a few Woopie Pies yesterday made by Steve Snacks, it gave me the urge to make them. Hence I stumbled upon your page via a Google search. Yummy! They were delicioso!

43. debra whitcomb
    May 19th, 2010 @ 10:09 pm

    i grew up in vermont and have always loved whoopie pies. but the filling i am used to does not have marshmallow fluff…it is made with shortening, sugar, flour and milk. i prefer it to the fluff filling…..would work for those who cannot locate marshmallow fluff. great site!

44. Bonnie Brown
    May 24th, 2010 @ 5:33 am

    Your Grandmas look awesome!. Your photos make me wish I could come over for a cup of tea with them and help them make those whoopie pies!. In New Zealand I think we would call these Macaroons or melting moments. I am not completely sue it is the same thing but looks similar. I may just have to have a go making them!. Thanks I am enjoying your site and links

45. Yvonne
    June 1st, 2010 @ 1:14 pm

    I love your blog, follow it all the time,here in South Africa. This post made me nostalgic…I miss my Gran so much! She was always in the kitchen baking something nice! I don’t know what Fluff is and what exactly is shortening? Maybe we have different names for the same thing! :-)

46. shaun
    June 12th, 2010 @ 9:52 pm

    I have had these and couldn’t stop eating them. They were the big ones that my brother brought down from the island. Tammy Tripler baked them and they were fantastic. I’m so glad I bothered to look for this recipe. Gonna go get some fluff for the cream tomm. Thanks Girls. Lovely Demo..lol..Shaun M.

47. bryan
    June 15th, 2010 @ 5:39 pm

    yep there from maine. i saw a moxie can haha.

48. Anonymous
    June 18th, 2010 @ 4:45 pm

    Awesome photos and recipe. A friend had an argument regarding origin Maine or PA. I say Maine but now I can’t find anything on it. Good job ladies.

49. Donna Dakin
    June 18th, 2010 @ 4:46 pm

    Looking for origin. Great job with phots and recipe though ladies.

50. donna
    June 24th, 2010 @ 1:01 pm

    I just came upon your blog and have been inspired with every post I’ve read….I happened to click on the whoopie pie picture on the sidebar. My husband is from the south and today I am going to make him some whoopie pies from Maine…happy to have found you, I will be back!

51. Nadia Marie
    July 2nd, 2010 @ 9:40 pm

    I love this post, Katy! The grammys are adorable and made me want to make whoopie pies! If only they sold marshmallow fluff here in Caracas….

52. Kristin
    July 3rd, 2010 @ 9:46 pm

    My Gram and her sister always made whoopie pies for the fourth of July parade in Manchester-by-the-sea. I searched for a recipe today because they were such expert bakers they only wrote down half what you need to know to make a recipe!! Thanks so much for the recipe and the beautiful pictures of your ladies. Enjoy them!

53. miranda
    July 15th, 2010 @ 9:18 am

    Thanks for the post, and all the interesting comments. Here in northern Vermont, I’ve had some rather heated debates about what sort of filling is proper for whoopie pies. I’ve heard from some who favor a less-sweet filling more like whipped cream! Crazy talk! For those not “lucky” enough (I use the term sarcastically) to live in the land of Crisco (brand name for hydrogenated vegetable oil, aka “shortening”) and Fluff, which are rather dubious as foodstuffs, I have some ideas. You can use unsalted butter in lieu of shortening — which I do when making whoopie pies anyhow. As for the Fluff (marshmallow cream), I wonder if you could use a thick boiled frosting in place of the Fluff. Alternatively, you could make homemade marshmallow (a lot of work, I know). To be honest, I would go the easier route of making a sweet buttercream frosting, flavoring it with plenty of vanilla, and making it as fluffy and light as possible. I’d be very curious to hear how people’s efforts turn out. Maybe I’ll try it myself… I have this strangely compelling urge to make some whoopies… mmmmmm.

54. claudia
    July 16th, 2010 @ 10:16 am

    how many pies did this recipe make?

55. Katy Elliott
    July 19th, 2010 @ 7:27 pm

    About 12 pies. Makes 24 cookies but you need to sandwich them together.

56. City Girl (EC1)
    July 27th, 2010 @ 2:45 am

    Hi Katy! What a gorgeous post! I have never heard of Whoopie pies in England but am fascinated by them and must try them out! They look delicious! Maybe I can be credited for bringing them over to the UK if that works? ;) Great blog – I’ll keep reading with interest. City Girl x ps How cute is your Grammy and Rita?
    (please check out my blog too – http://citygirldiariesec1.blogspot.com/)