ANNA TELLS OF WHOOPIE PIES AND RECIPE

Someone asked about Whoopie Pies, so I am going tell about them and leave a recipe.  We Amish believe that Whoopies Pies were founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania many generations ago.  But, a while back, the state of Maine said they were the first to found Whoopie pies.  There was a great question between the two states. I never did find out how it came out.

Anyway, the Whoopie Pie recipes have been passed from generation to generation. It is said that whoopie pies were made from left over cake batter and when Amish children or farmers would find a whoopie pie in their lunch, would yell "Whoopie"  which is how the pie got named.  I don't know how much truth there is to that - but it sounds good anyway.  At some places Whoopie Pies are called gobs.

If you have never seen a whoopie pie (picture of one above), they are more like two cake type cookies with frosting in the center.  The most popular flavor is chocolate cake with white frosting, but there are other variations.  The whoopie pie above is chocolate whoopie pie with the white frosting that Marilyn purchased at Miller's Bake Food Stand.

This and shoofly pie are the most popular deserts requested.  I think that an Amish or Old Order Mennonite women have made these so many times, they don't even have to look at the recipe.  Jean doesn't have to get her recipe out and neither do I.  Jean, Marilyn and I have baking pans that have round sections where you pour the batter so they come out round every time.  If you don't have a pan, you have to spoon the batter on a cookie sheet.

ANNA'S WHOOPIE PIE RECIPE

4 cups flour
1 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 pinch of salt
2 teaspoons of vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup of milk
1 cup of warm water

In a large bowl combine flour, salt, cocoa  and baking soda.  Mix and set aside.  In another bowl combine the sugar, shortening and eggs.  Beat for 2 minutes.  Mix the dry ingredients with the egg mixture and add the warm water and milk and beat at medium for 2 to 3 minutes.  Add the vanilla and beat all the ingredients until they are blended.  Drop by rounded tablespoons on to ungreased non stick cookie sheets.  Bake in preheated over at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until the center of the "cookies" spring back when lightly pressed.  Remove from cookies sheets and cool on wire rack.

WHOOPIE PIE FILLING

4 Tablespoons flour
4 Tablespoons milk
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening
2 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups confectioners sugar

Beat egg whites until stiff then set them aside.  Combine the rest of the ingredients  and beat at high speed for several minutes.  Fold in beaten egg whites.

PUTTING WHOOPIE PIES TOGETHER

When cookies are cooled, put a large amount of filling on one of the cookies.  Then place another cookie on top.  Wrap each whoopie pie individually in plastic wrap.

There is an old Amish Proverb that I am reminded of:  " Keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them."

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna.