Move over cupcakes. The darling of the pastry-set these days are Whoopie Pies, a less precious, more lunchbox-friendly marriage of cake and cream.
Last week, the New York Times broadcast the trend that purports to have its roots either in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country (well known for tasty fare that can hold you through a barn-raising) or New England. No one is really sure.
The current appeal is clearly the pie’s working-class roots. Some say the name stems from the exclamation of “Whoopie!” from happy farmers who found the cream sandwiches in their lunches. Nor’easterners are also familiar with these mushy, smushy, delicious cookies stocked in corner delis and gas stations as comforting snack fare. There’s also the nostalgia factor as anyone who had (or wished they had) a Little Debbie Oatmeal cream cookie stashed into their brown bag can remember.
As the Whoopie comes into its own, clever pastry chefs are leaving behind simple chocolate or vanilla cake and Crisco filling for flavors like pumpkin and fresh buttercream fillings. Kind of like what we’ve seen happen to cupcakes (for the better, of course).
So delight in the dunkable, dippable, finger-licking wonderful pleasures of childhood once more. You trend-setter, you.
And if you’re wondering, yes, the Whoopie is a close relation of the
Southern Moon Pie — made with graham crackers and marshmallow, then
covered with chocolate. Albeit a slightly simpler cousin.
Available locally at Oliver’s Market in Santa Rosa.
Know where else to get a good Whoopie? Let BiteClubbers know!
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again – taking you feeds also, Thanks.
I’m looking for a place to buy whoopie pies in my are of the Hudson Valley, NY … Newburgh, Cornwall, Beacon, Fishkill and Poughkeepsie area. Can anyone help?
hi Jon. the Oliver’s Market at Montecito Ctr in Rincon Valley always has them. and they will hold them for you if you call ahead and reserve them. yummy in the tummy!
WHERE ARE THESE IV BEEN TO A FEW OLIVERS AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF THEM
Occasionally, A’roma Roasters in Railroad Square will have whoopie pies. They are chocolate with white filling, very tasty and moist, not too sweet and good chocolate flavor.
They have them at Pacific Market too. I bought one tonight after seeing this article, and although I have no basis for comparison, I thought it was pretty tasty!
whoopie pies originated in the Pennsylvania Amish communities…..they were originally a chocolate cake sandwich, with buttery thick frosting. They were called “GOBS”. Mom would make them, wrap each one individually in waxed paper, and they would disappear as fast as she made them.
Citizen Cake in SF has lots of variations and all are delicious.
Mmm. I got hooked on these treats when living in PA several years ago.
Right around hunting season when all the men would disappear for a week, all the women would bring in to the office plates of ‘Gobs’ as they were more commonly known in Central PA (State College.)
I crave them around that time of year to this day. I was going to make a batch this Thanksgiving, when a co-worker of mine told me his mom was sending him some. He offered to share his treasure, and they were indeed delicious. I even took a pic, I was so happy!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3095762769_7c8f0356f3.jpg
I read that article last week and it totally made me smile. I look forward to more gobby goodness coming this way.