Whoopie Pies

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Quick Bite

A Maine whoopie pie is two soft chocolate cake rounds sandwiched around a sweet, fluffy cream filling. It is part cake, part cookie, part lunchbox joy, and entirely too easy to eat.

History

Whoopie pies are claimed by more than one state, but Maine has made them part of its food identity. The classic version is chocolate cake with vanilla cream filling, though modern versions come in nearly every flavor.

Labadie’s Bakery in Lewiston is one of the major Maine names in the whoopie pie story, claiming a long history of making them since the 1920s. Pennsylvania also has a strong whoopie pie tradition, especially among Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch communities, so the origin debate is real.

In Maine, the whoopie pie became a bakery case staple, a roadside treat, a school-lunch dessert, and eventually the official state treat. It is casual, nostalgic, and fun in exactly the way a state dessert should be.

A proper Maine whoopie pie should be soft and generous. The cakes should be tender, the filling should be fluffy, and the whole thing should make a mild mess on your fingers.

Fun Facts

• Maine named the whoopie pie its official state treat.
• The classic flavor is chocolate cake with vanilla cream filling.
• Giant whoopie pies exist, but the regular-size ones are already plenty of commitment.

Where to Try

Labadie’s Bakery Lewiston, Maine
A historic Maine bakery that has built its identity around the original Maine whoopie pie.

Wicked Whoopies Freeport and online, Maine
A well-known Maine whoopie pie maker offering classic and creative flavors.

Two Fat Cats Bakery Portland, Maine
A Portland bakery known for classic New England sweets, including whoopie pies and other nostalgic baked goods.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Whoopie Pies Makes: About 12 Prep: 25 minutes Cook: 10–12 minutes Difficulty: Easy Style: Maine / New England Dessert

Ingredients

For the cakes

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

For the filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup marshmallow crème
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Heat the oven: Heat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In another bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg and vanilla: Add egg and vanilla.
5. Finish the batter: Add the dry ingredients in batches, alternating with buttermilk.
6. Scoop: Scoop batter into rounded mounds on the baking sheets.
7. Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cakes spring back lightly.
8. Cool: Cool completely.
9. Make the filling: Beat filling ingredients until fluffy.
10. Assemble: Spread filling on the flat side of one cake and top with another.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, keep the cakes chocolate, the filling vanilla and fluffy, and the size generous but still handheld.

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