Controversy abounds on who exactly invented the Whoopie Pie, but having grown up in Maine I’m going to take a local stance and declare that they were invented in my home state. Of course if you’re from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or any other New England region you’re also welcome to proudly make this claim because Mr. Wizard probably couldn’t unravel this culinary mystery.
What I do know is that I grew up on chocolate Whoopie Pies with fluffy white filling and to this day my mother will honestly call me in order to specifically discuss a delicious dessert that she happened to pick up at a grocery store, bake sale, or farm stand. The absolute best Whoopie Pie that I ever tasted came from the Maine company, Wicked Whoopies. Wicked Whoopies was actually featured on Oprah’s “Great Gift” show back in November of 2003. My heart still resides with their blueberry Whoopie Pie, and I’ve yet to taste its equal. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear as though they make that flavor anymore, but trust me — it was to die for.
My second favorite flavor is pumpkin anything so when I came across the recipe for Pumpkin Whoopie Pies in Rachael Ray’s October issue I promptly added the ingredients I needed to my grocery list. Of course my mother called me to make sure I’d seen it too. She was just as excited as me to try it! Fortunately, this recipe is ridiculously easy. I suggest you make a batch for everyone that you know, or at least your office mates. These pumpkin treats will win anyone over and than they’ll owe you favors forever.
Making Whoopie |
Scoop & Bake |
Collectively Cool |
Mmm…Cream Cheese Frosting |
Edible Bribes |
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies (Originally Published in the October 2007 Issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray)
1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
1 2/3 cups flour
4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.
Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.
There are some things about living in Maine that I will always miss: a complete lack of traffic, living 20 minutes from the outlets in Freeport, and Ham Italians from Sam’s Italian Sandwich Shop.
What will always stand out to me is the bread. The rolls are extremely fresh and have the consistency and texture of large bakery style finger rolls. I’m also a huge fan of the American Cheese the store uses. I know it sounds ridiculous to gush about American Cheese, but honestly all of the ingredients put together and splashed with Sam’s special blend of oil tastes completely unique. It’s impossible to duplicate these sandwiches at home. They’re amazing and I’m happy to report that I got to eat one along with a perfect chocolate whoopie pie (that I split with CK) on our way back from a brief weekend visiting my family. I unfortunately left the camera at home but once again my iPhone came to the rescue.
