Readers of NQN are fabulous people as they suggest things that they think I’d like to make. One of these readers is Sydneygal who sent me this article from the NY Times about the resurgence of the Whoopie Pie. Said to be the next big thing after cupcakes, they’re a more homely, less fancy version of a cupcake. I knew I had to make it, more out of curiosity as I only had a fleeting familiarity with just the concept having never eaten one before. Said to be named so as they were originally made by Amish housewives to be given to farmer husbands, they were said to exclaim “Whoopie!” upon discovering the treat in their lunchboxes.
I was watching The View…yes there I’ve said it. I watch The View. I never used to understand why people would want to watch a bunch of ladies bickering and yelling over each other simultaneously on screen and I certainly never watched the Australian version called The Catch up (the name was enough to dissuade me from watching) but slowly I became accustomed to watching The View and now watch it every day. My need to reach into the screen to throttle Elisabeth has even lessened although this is probably due to the US election being over.
But I digress, they were also talking about the Whoopie Pie story. Suddenly the Whoopie Pie jumped to the top of the list and I found myself looking up the recipe to see whether I could do it. Having just made a cake, I was dangerously low on sugar in my pantry. And despite many suggestions from tweeps to knock on my neighbour’s doors I schlepped it down to the shops to get my precious sugar. Which as it turns out, I didn’t end up using due to the late hour.
I used Zingerman Bakehouse’s recipe for the cake itself and decided to use the filling in the Taste.com.au recipe as it was easier than doing a Swiss Buttercream which I can’t do as I don’t have a handheld electric mixer-that broke and was replaced by the Kitchenaid. The filling is easy, just melt some marshmallows with a little water and sandwich together.
The cookies or cake or whatever you’d like to call them are soft but taste a bit like a supermarket chocolate cake-whilst looking like a cookie and while they are cooling they are delicate. By themselves, they aren’t too bad although they do need a cream to wodge them together and give them some added oomph. I do think that a buttercream might be a better match for a filling than the marshmallows which while easy, end up being a bit bland. I added some tiny chocolate flakes to upp the chocolate count although the original recipe didn’t specify these. In my humble opinion, I think they taste all the better for it.
Whoopie Pies!
Time: 1 hour
FOR THE CAKES:
- 1/4 pound/1 stick/125grams butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1/3 cup small chocolate chips or flakes
- 1 cup buttermilk
FOR THE MARSHMALLOW FILLING:
- 125grams of marshmallows
- 2 teaspoons of water
1. For the cakes: Preheat oven to 350F/180C degrees. Cream together the butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer and add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until light and creamy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, flour and cocoa. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, and combining well after each addition. Finally stir in the chocolate chips.
2. Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop out 12 x 1/4-cup mounds of batter and place about 6 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until tops are puffed and cakes spring back when touched-about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before filling. They are delicate while cooling.
3. Have your pairs ready i.e. pair up similar sized halves. In a microwave proof bowl, melt marshmallows and water on high heat for 20 second burst (I needed a total of 40 seconds). The filling will be soft and spreadable but will set as time goes on so you may need to microwave it once or twice more. Don’t sandwich them together straight away, the marshmallw filling will be too runny and they will slide off and may set in an imperfect position. I waited for about 5-10 minutes and then placed the tops on them making sure that they were sitting as upright as possible. Place in large cupcake liners for ease of eating
4. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
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55 Comments | Add your own
I’m not a fan of the View.
But those Whoopie things do look delicious.
What wonderful whoopie pies! That’s still a speciality I have to try making…
Cheers,
Rosa
ooh i watched that view too and was wondering bout the recipe… thanks!
Don’t worry your not the only one who watches The View I too watch it & saw the story about the Whoopie Pies.
It’s great that you posted these, they look just like the ones they featured on the show.
They look great.
BTW I’ve made buttercream on a kitchenaid it works no need for a hand held one.
They look soooooooooooo goood! I think I gained 3kgs just looking and drooling over them!
x
Saw the same article! Is whoopie pie the new cupcake? Hmm, we’ll see. A friend said they wanted this, so we’ll be making them soon too.
Whoopie Pies! Growing up in the American South, these weren’t very popular, but we had a neighbour from the New England that you used to make them all the time when I was growing up, so they were a special treat for me, as they were something different.
Her filling never included marshmallow though. It was similar to the icing my grandmother always used on Red Velvet Cake, made with Crisco (shortening). I was an adult by the time I finally convinced her to give me that recipe.
My daughter is looking with me at your delicious pies and says: “Can we try these? They look yummy! I bet I would love them!”
OMG Lorraine, these look absolutely delish! I will have to attempt to make them
What a wonderful blog you have! The beautiful photos you take make me want to reach out to my screen and grab one of your baked goodies!
Your whoopie pies look so fancy! I guess I need to give them a try! I loved your comment about the View because I too want to “reach into the screen to throttle Elisabeth”
ha – I love the name!
Not a fan of the View and their Whoopie, but yours look dy-no-mite! You should try a pumpkin Whoopie too, excellent.
Those are adorable! You’ve got to try pumpkin whoopie pies – they’re my favorite kind. You see them everywhere around here in the fall.
The View airs right after Martha here and I often switch the channel or turn the tv off right after Martha ends, or else I’ll end up yelling very nasty things at the tv.
They look beautiful! Such a talented chef
They look beautiful and I am proud to say that I have the very same cake stand! Love the idea of marshmallow filling!
Yummy
I don’t mind Whoopie on The View, but the only good thing about Elisabeth is her hairstyle. I don’t mind the look of your whoopee pies, either – they are so cute on the cake stand. And I agree that buttercream would be a good match – I made some orange delight cookies that also have a cakey texture and they were vastly improved by a thick layer of buttercream frosting.
OMG, are those pink insides? If not then they should be!
i saw these on the food section of apartment therapy recently and i was intrigued.
i admire your restraint in not making loads of ‘makin whoopie’ jokes in this post. i couldn’t have done it
I haven’t heard of these before. They seem to be halfway between a biscuit and a cake.
Lorraine they look stunning. Good on you.
As for The View. I used to be addicted to it and watch it everyday, but Elisabeth’s voice and just looking at her made me want to poke my eyes out. So I have since stopped. Whoopi and Joy are the only voices of reason on that show.
Love ‘The View’ – have a girl crush on Joy – she’s the best.
Hi NQN – They look delish
That’s how whoopie pies got its name? I had no idea!
Cute! Love your styling and blue ribbon, pretty
I saw this very same article, and thought the background to their name was cool. Your pies look great!! And that cake stand is devine.
ohh…everybody loves a whoopie pie!! delish
Hi Dina-Haha too much bickering perhaps? Thanks!
Hi Rosa-Thankyou! Unlike macarons they\’re very easy which is good!
Hi hayley-You’re welcome! We saw it the day after it viewed so we mustn’t be on that much of a delay (for a change lol)
Hi Anna-Great minds!
Thanks, they showed some really nice fluting on the side of theirs. Yep regular buttercream can be made in a KA but the swiss buttercream can’t 
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Thanks!
But the best thing is no weight gain from food porn x
Hi The Duo Dishes-Who knows? They’ve predicted that cupcakes will be over but they’re still going strong!
Hi Amanda-Yes they’re not really Southern from what I gather. Yes buttercream is the more traditional filling, although I don’t know about using Crisco, I would think butter would give a nicer flavour for the buttercream. Have you tried using her recipe?
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Awww hehe how cute!
Hi Pam-Thanks! They’re very easy so nothing to fear there
Hi Rilsta-Thankyou so much!
Hehe what a sweet thing to say!
Hi Barbara-Thanks! I’m amazed that you haven’t made them. I guess I see you as the Queen of all delicious things
Haha yes I think she inspires a worldwide reaction. Sometimes I just have to turn the volume down when she speaks 
Hi Renee-Cute isn’t it!
Hi Bethie-Thanks! I’ve heard of those and would love to, I bet they’re delicious!
Hi anna-Hehe yes I really should, I read that they said they’d have a riot if they stopped selling them! Yes the best technique to dealing with Elisabeth’s rants is the mute or off button
Hi Forager-Aww thanks!
Hi Vita-Very cool! It’s a great cake stand isn’t it! The marshmallow filling was so easy, dreamily so!
Hi belle-Haha yes I like Joy and Whoopie isn’t too bad but I am not a great fan of Elisabeth and Sherrie can be funny but she’s too much like Elisabeth. Yes it needs to sweetness as I didn’t find the cakes themselves that sweet.
Hi justJENN-They are! Pale pink to be exact.
Hi reddoorread-Haha you made them for me!
I couldn’t resist the title though…
Hi Arwen-Yes they are!
Hi jules-Thankyou! LOL yes the voice! I like the left half of the desk much more than the right
Hi Belinda-She’s great and so funny and she really challenges Elisabeth!
Hi foodie-central-Thankyou so much!
Hi Jude-Well that’s according to food historians!
Hi Christie-Thanks! I love using ribbon, I am such a ribbon collector!
Hi Cakelaw-I always love reading about the history of food
Thanks! I use it all the time 
Hi Alexandra-Hehe yes they seem to although it’s so cute why wouldn’t you?
I remember eating whoopie pies when I was a kid, and even making them, though I doubt I ever called them whoopie pies (Whoopee is slang for sex, yes i know different spelling).
But I have always loved them.
This recipe looks simple and frankly, quite delicious. I will defintely try it.
These would definitely make me go Whoopie hee hee
yuummmm!
Whoopie for whoopie pies! These look so luscious! I love the crusty cake texture. You always get me with your delicious temptations!!
Lorraine, these look so lovely & yummie!! Love it!!!!
These are adorable! I’m glad to know that *something is the new cupcake… I was kinda getting bored with them. These look ooooh so good!
If only I could eat chocolate! My mother watches the View. The only time I would watch it was in college waiting between classes at the journalism school. I was always irratated they would talk over each other and I couldn’t understand anything.
I was inspired by that article too, but have yet to make them! I grew up in New England, so the whoopie pie holds a place near and dear to my heart. Thanks for reminding me I had bookmarkeed these!
they look nice though. I like the marshmallow filling. I ll try it next time
Nice displa of the whoppie pies 
these delicious treats have such a fun name, and that just serves to make them that much more appealing to me.
Did you see Elisabeth’s line of clothes today? I thought some were cute, but I don’t think I could wear them because of how I feel about her.
Never heard of these, but they look very lovely. Do you think these will be the next big thing after cupcakes?
I’ve made her recipe many times. It’s very tasty.
Buttercream is actually not the traditional filling though. It’s usually made with icing sugar, raw egg whites, milk and shortening. In more recent times the filling has been replaced due to paranoia about raw eggs and is now often made with shortening, flour, milk and sugar (very similar to the red velvet icing). It’s similar to the filling of a Twinkie, only less artificial.
First of all, I like your dessert tray! I saw whoopie pies in NYTimes too. Yours look really great!
Another to add to my collection. I made Martha Stewart’s Pumpkin Whoopie Pies a while back and they were just divine. Will def have to try these ones.
Oh and for the Swiss Meringue Buttercream, perhaps try this method. I’ve made it several times and it’s perfect.
http://tinyurl.com/dx2qxd
Obviously leave out the strawberry jam
There’s nothing to be ashamed about watching ‘The View’ I wish I could watch it every day. Love the show and share your disdain for Elisabeth. Particularly around the whole election issue.
Thanks for sharing this whoopie pie recipe. Will definitely be on my ‘to do’ list.
Whoopie Pies have been a fave for Mainers forever.
Oh dear I’ve been too busy, haven’t gotten around to checking my fave blogs for a few days. I am so honoured – I now “have” two posts on your site! These look lovely – how amazing that it was on The View with Whoopi! Elisabeth is excruciating.
Hi Angela-Haha I know that and somehow that makes it more appealing
Great! let meknow what you think of it and if you try it with marshmallow or buttercream 
Hi FFichiban-Haha cool! You could definitely whip these up!
Hi lisa-Thankyou so much
I should really make some savouries every now and then but I love making sweets!
Hi Sophie-Thanks so much Sophie, you are too kind!
Hi Joy-Thankyou! I’ve run out of cupcake inspiration lately. I wonder if they will take over?
Hi Blond Duck-Oh no, you poor thing
Haha yes I used to watch it and wonder how anyone could watch it. Then I got addicted 
Hi Adrienne-Ah yes home to the Whoopie Pie! I bet you’ve got a really good recipe for them too!
Hi snookydoodle-Thankyou! I don’t know if I liked the marshmallow filling, I think I prefer buttercream but that’s just me. Thanks!
Hi grace-It’s a cute name indeed! Names can make or break something!
Hi Barbara-I did see it today (we’re 1 day behind) and yes some of it was cute but yeah I don’t know if I’d buy it (not that I can from Australia)
.
Hi Anita-Thanks!
I don’t know if they will but I’m always willing to try anything a few times!
Hi Amanda-Interesting indeed to know the history of it. Do you use the raw egg white filling?
Hi Hillary-Thanks so much! I love tiered cake stands-a bit too much
Hi Vanessa-Ooh will have to look up the pumpkin version. I think I might actually prefer those!
Hi Vanessa-Ah wonderful, thankyou! That’s great
Hi Einna-Hehe cool
I think a lot of us wish we could reach into that screen! 
Hi April-Yep they certainly have!
Hi SydneyGal-Ah yes I was wondering when you’d see this!
Haha yes!
Ah yes! I was in New York last week and stole the dining section from my brother when I saw the story about and recipe for these Whoopie Pies. Next on my list!
i didn’t know what whoopie pies were… they loook immensely delicious. I am not one of those good bakers, & my girls would love me to make them things like this:-) i should just dare & take a try.
ha ha love that red couch bed bar! what a concept.
Hi Jamie-Hehe excellent! I’d love to try the pumpkin version next I think. I think I’d prefer them
Hi Soma-They’re definitely not hard to make and I’m sure you wouldn’t have any problems at at all with them as you’re a great cook!
A friend of mine does sort of a pumpkin pie version of these in the fall, and they are very good. I need my chocolate fix though
Great job here!
I always find myself humming “Makin’ Whoopie” whenever I hear about Whoopie Pies. They look lovely
I am somewhat flummoxed about this, though… it was easier than doing a Swiss Buttercream which I can’t do as I don’t have a handheld electric mixer-that broke and was replaced by the Kitchenaid.
But… I make SMBB in my KA all the time! You can set the metal bowl from the KA over a small pan to whisk the meringue mixture by hand, then wipe the bottom of the bowl and shove it straight onto the KA. Or, use a glass bowl and quickly pour the fluff into the KA to whip and cool. You can totally do it.
(Sorry for the spate of comments today. I had some spare time, and where better to spend it?)
Hi Libby-Sounds like a gorgeous way to welcome in the Fall!
Thankyou!
Hi Angela-Haha me too! Thanks
Hmm but don’t you have to whisk for ages by hand? I don’t have the arm strength to do that (I never knead bread dough by hand
). Haha no need to apologise at all! 
No, you don’t have to whisk for ages. It usually takes about three minutes over (already) simmering water for the mixture to come up to temperature. Plus, think of the workout your triceps are getting!
Just whisk away and when it looks like marshmallow fluff, rub a little between your fingers. If it is (a) hot and (b) free from any grittiness, then the egg white is pasteurised and you’re good to go.
I love SMBB, but everyone else seems to want simple buttercream on their cupcakes. Boo hiss etc.
Hi Angela-Ah good to know! Who knew I could do it. I always assumed it wasn’t doable. I think simple buttercream is just so much easier
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