The History Of The Delicious Whoopie Pie Dessert In Maine

If you live in or love Maine you’re probably familiar with the Whoopie Pie. The delicious sugary wonder made from a dream combo of chewy cake-like cookies and buttery cream has been delighting Mainers for generations. But, it’s not all sweet. There’s been an ages-long battle between Maine and Pennsylvania over the true owner of this delectable delight. Once and for all, we’d like to answer the question. The true owner of the whoopie pie is Maine.

The recipe may NOT belong to the Amish of Pennsylvania.

Shinya Suzuki / Flickr The story goes that Amish women would take leftover crumbs from cookies and create tiny pies. When their husbands and kids found the treats in their lunchboxes they would exclaim, “Woopeee!” Pennsylvania has laid claim to the food saying that the recipe has been passed down through generations of Amish.

But, The Food Timeline website which has 2,300+ books, hundreds of 20th century food company brochures, and dozens of vintage magazines has NO documented proof of the recipe originating among the Amish!

Labadie’s Bakery probably invented the Whoopie Pie in 1925.

Labadie’s Bakery / Facebook But, unfortunately, the original bakery burned down with all the records, so there hasn’t been a real way to prove this to non-believers.

But, Mainers don’t give up and we soon established the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival.

Maine Whoopie Pie Festival / Facebook Taking place every summer in Dover-Foxcroft, this festival celebrates all things Whoopie Pie and brings together people from all over to celebrate what is rightfully ours. Click here to learn more about this very-Maine festival.

In 2015, there were more than 8,000 people in attendance and the festival included the raffle of a 50-pound whoopie pie.

Despite the ownership claims of other states, in 2011, Maine went against the naysayers to make the Whoopie Pie our official treat.

stefernie / Flickr Maine already had the blueberry pie as the official state dessert, so this category was created especially for us. Fun Fact: No other state has an official treat!

Fact: The world’s largest whoopie pie was made in 2011 in South Portland, Maine!

Jessie Hodge / Flickr It was created on March 26th and weighed more than 1,000 pounds. This record-breaking wonder beat the previous Pennsylvania record of a measly 200 pounds. After its crowning victory, pieces were sold to raise money to send Maine-made whoopie pies to soldiers overseas. Note: This is not our award-winning whoopie pie. Ours was BIGGER than this!

Fact: Marshmallow fluff was NOT invented in Pennsylvania.

Labadie’s Bakery / Facebook Unfortunately, it wasn’t invented in Maine either. It first came from just outside Lynn, Massachusetts in 1920. Massachusetts is close to Maine, so we say that this works in our favor. Another point for Maine in the whoopie-pie claiming battle.

Fact: Mainers appreciate the whoopie pie more than anyone.

Labadie’s Bakery / Facebook This display comes from Labadie’s Bakery and made someone wedding the best celebrating ever.

And now, because we could look at whoopie pies all day, here’s some inspiration to get eating!

Edward Kimber / Flickr

F_A / Flickr

cookbookqueen / Flickr

Clever Cupcakes / Flickr

dinnercraft / Flickr

Christ - ophile / Flickr

If you’re looking for other Maine-only foods, check out this list of iconic Maine delicacies.

Shinya Suzuki / Flickr

The story goes that Amish women would take leftover crumbs from cookies and create tiny pies. When their husbands and kids found the treats in their lunchboxes they would exclaim, “Woopeee!” Pennsylvania has laid claim to the food saying that the recipe has been passed down through generations of Amish.

Labadie’s Bakery / Facebook

But, unfortunately, the original bakery burned down with all the records, so there hasn’t been a real way to prove this to non-believers.

Maine Whoopie Pie Festival / Facebook

Taking place every summer in Dover-Foxcroft, this festival celebrates all things Whoopie Pie and brings together people from all over to celebrate what is rightfully ours. Click here to learn more about this very-Maine festival.

In 2015, there were more than 8,000 people in attendance and the festival included the raffle of a 50-pound whoopie pie.

stefernie / Flickr

Maine already had the blueberry pie as the official state dessert, so this category was created especially for us. Fun Fact: No other state has an official treat!

Jessie Hodge / Flickr

It was created on March 26th and weighed more than 1,000 pounds. This record-breaking wonder beat the previous Pennsylvania record of a measly 200 pounds. After its crowning victory, pieces were sold to raise money to send Maine-made whoopie pies to soldiers overseas. Note: This is not our award-winning whoopie pie. Ours was BIGGER than this!

Unfortunately, it wasn’t invented in Maine either. It first came from just outside Lynn, Massachusetts in 1920. Massachusetts is close to Maine, so we say that this works in our favor. Another point for Maine in the whoopie-pie claiming battle.

This display comes from Labadie’s Bakery and made someone wedding the best celebrating ever.