We've Been Lied To: The Truth About The Origins of a Whoopie Pie

Everyone knows that whoopie pies were invented in New England...right?

Not really...time to discuss.

I recently learned that the #1 best whoopie pie in Maine is at a 97-year-old diner called Moody's. To hear about that prized pie, click here.

While featuring this whoopie pie in my article, I found something shocking through my minimal "research."

If you are proud to be from the state that "invented" whoopie pies, and you think that is one of the New England states, you might not want to keep reading.

Whoopie pies were not invented or first made in New England, although some still believe they originated in Maine.

According to a Cape Whoopies article, our local legend is that in the early 1900s, wives in the state of Maine would use leftover baking material to make mini-cakes (aka whoopie pies) for their husbands to take to the field or work.

Maine doubled down on this "invention" by claiming that the first ever recorded whoopie pie came in 1925 from Labadie’s Bakery, according to a Lobster Anywhere article.

Unfortunately for Labadie's, the original bakery burnt down, leaving no trace or record of the first pie...

And this is where it gets hairy.

Another arguably older legend says that whoopie pies were created and enjoyed in Pennsylvania years before farmers in Maine.

This opposing legend claims that Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch bakers started this treat in the early 1900s.

"According to Cape Whoopies, "the whoopie pie got its name from the sound of delight that would escape from children's mouths when they discovered the treat in their lunch pails," back in PA in the early 1900s.

So which is it?

Did whoopie pies originate in PA or in ME? You tell me.