Legend has it that whoopie pies got their name because Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, workers who found them in their lunch pails would holler, “Whoopie!” Supposedly, clever cooks started creating them in the early 20th century as a way to use leftover cake batter. The sweet treats have endured for over a century, and continue to inspire cries of delight when they arrive at the table. Here are five winning whoopie pies.
Jack’s Lobster Shack, Edgewater, New Jersey
You can’t argue with the classics. Cakey chocolate cookies bookend a fluffy filling accented with vanilla. If the one you enjoy for dessert isn’t enough, you can always order some to go. Make a reservation at Jack’s Lobster Shack.
Sardella, Clayton, Missouri
Suddenly, we feel the urge to hop in the car and set the GPS for Clayton, Missouri. That’s because pastry chef Sarah Osborn is baking up batches of winsome whoopie pies. Rounds of sweet strawberry enclose a cloud of tangy whipped passion fruit frosting. Make a reservation at Sardella.
Garbo’s, Austin, Texas
Whoopie pies change with the seasons here. For Halloween, the restaurant baked off “Spookie” whoopie pies (pictured) as tricky treats. To celebrate their birthday, they decorated the sweet circlets as birthday cakes and pumped them up with pumpkin for Thanksgiving. Make a reservation at Garbo’s.
