Whoopie Pies: A Sweet Taste of Maine’s Playful Past

If you’ve spent any time in Maine, or around a Mainer’s kitchen, chances are you’ve encountered the humble, beloved whoopie pie. Two soft chocolate cake rounds, sandwiched together with a generous layer of sweet, fluffy filling — simple, satisfying, and brimming with old-fashioned charm.

So, what is a whoopie pie, exactly?
Some say it’s a cookie. Others call it a cake. Some folks even claim it’s a pie (hence the name). Technically, it’s a handheld dessert that defies easy classification — which might be why people love it so much.

Legend has it Amish wives used to bake these sweet treats from leftover cake batter and slip them into farmers’ lunch pails. When the farmers discovered the surprise, they’d shout, “Whoopie!” — and a name was born. Maine proudly claims its own twist on this story, and in 2011 the Maine Legislature declared the whoopie pie the official state treat.

Flavors That Feel Like Home
The classic whoopie pie is made with chocolate cakes and a creamy vanilla filling — often marshmallow fluff or a buttercream that feels as light as a cloud. But in true Maine fashion, bakers like to get creative: pumpkin whoopie pies in the fall, red velvet for Valentine’s Day, and even blueberry for a taste of summer.

Every family seems to have the best whoopie pie recipe — fiercely guarded, proudly shared, or offered at bake sales, country stores, and roadside farm stands. Some folks swear by shortening in the filling; others stick to butter. Some love them big as a plate; others prefer palm-sized pies, perfect with a cup of coffee.

Where to Find the Perfect Whoopie Pie
You don’t have to look far to find a whoopie pie in Maine. Local bakeries, general stores, farmers markets, and even gas stations sell them fresh and wrapped in wax paper. For a true old-school Maine experience, take a drive along the back roads — you might just find a handwritten sign for homemade whoopie pies sold from a cooler at the end of someone’s driveway.

A few local favorites:

• Labadie’s Bakery in Lewiston, where whoopie pies have been a tradition since 1925.

• Wicked Whoopies in Freeport, which has turned the humble treat into a mail-order phenomenon.

• Or your neighbor’s kitchen — because the best whoopie pies always come with a good story.

A Sweet Little Joy
In a world that often feels rushed and complicated, the whoopie pie reminds us to slow down. It’s a treat that feels like childhood, like lunchboxes and picnics, like a secret delight tucked away for later. It’s a little bite of Maine’s sense of humor and small-town warmth — proof that the simplest things really can be the sweetest.