It appears that the State of Maine has spent quite a bit of time focusing on what should officially represent us when it comes to a state dessert versus a state snack. As someone who spends a lot of time baking small-batch confections, I’ve always been intensely curious about the massive attraction behind this particular treat.
Why Many Bakery Whoopie Pies Fall Flat
Personally, after sampling quite a number of them over the years, I often find the cake component to be dry and crumbly. To make matters worse, the center is frequently a “greasy,” overly sweet filling. Many mass-production commercial bakeries tend to mix their filling using vegetable shortening (like Crisco) and marshmallow fluff.
Because I really don’t care for that specific combination, it might explain why I skip the bakery aisle versions. While I absolutely bake them for my own custom orders and clients, I steer completely clear of the standard Crisco and Fluff method to ensure a better texture and richer flavor.
The True “Maine-ish” Alternative
If you ask me, a classic homemade pie made with wild Maine blueberries feels much more authentic to our state’s identity than a whoopie pie. After all, true wild blueberries are uniquely tied to our local soil.
Choosing the blueberry pie would also save us from entering the ongoing culinary battle with Pennsylvania. The Amish community there makes a strong historical case for creating the very first whoopie pies, leaving the true origin story up for debate.
What Do You Think?
Does this classic treat belong in the lunchbox as a mid-day snack, or should it hold the crown on the dessert table? Leave a reply below and share your thoughts on the ultimate filling recipe!
