Celebrant Pam Vetter


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Introducing: The Whoopie Pie
Contributed by: Pam Vetter

10/23/06 Valley News Article

It is a tradition in my family to make Whoopie Pies at least once a year. Around a holiday is best, because they are definitely a treat!

Whoopie Pies are so popular in my Pennsylvania hometown, they have a Whoopie Pie Festival every year in late October!

According to my sources, the Whoopie Pie was invented by the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where I lived for twenty-five years of my life. If there were leftovers when making a cake with icing, they became little, smaller treats such as Whoopie Pies.

Growing up and even now as an adult, it remains a treat to visit Pennsylvania's Green Dragon Market on Friday mornings where everything is available, including Amish Whoopie Pies. They have all kinds of Whoopie Pies: Chocolate, pumpkin, and red velvet. I love them all!

When I drive to visit my friend in Philadelphia, I always stop at an Amish roadside stand because they make the best Whoopie Pies I've ever tasted. I would pay them big bucks for their recipe, but they would never sell that special recipe which has been passed down through the generations.

I don't know how many calories are in a single Whoopie Pie and I don't really care because they're a treat! Do they really count when they're a treat? I don't think depriving yourself of something makes you want it less, it makes you want it more. So, once a year I indulge and bake a batch...or two.

Last year, when my children and I visited Pennsylvania, they made dozens of chocolate and pumpkin Whoopie Pies with my sister, Betsy Cook, and then set up shop in front of my parent's house in Lancaster County. Within a few hours of selling Whoopie Pies along the road at fifty cents a piece, they made $30. The most amazing thing to me was how well Whoopie Pies kept in the freezer. Wrap each one in plastic wrap and they're set for weeks to come. Delicious!

I thought it was time to introduce the West Coast to a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Dutch treat.

When you talk cooking, you'd better go to the best.

Helen Martin, a long-time baker of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has made thousands of Whoopie Pies over the years for her church, children, grandchildren, and friends. "The one thing everyone needs to remember is to add the Crisco last when you mix the filling. Also, the less salt in the cookie, the better," Martin said. She reminded everyone that kids always smile when they see a Whoopie Pie and say, "Whoopie!"

Here is the recipe my family and friends use in Lancaster County. Enjoy!

Whoopie Pies: The cakes

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening (Crisco)
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups flour
1 cup cocoa (Hershey's)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup hot water
2 teaspoons baking soda

Each ingredient is added and mixed in the order listed. Mix the butter, shortening, and sugar first. Add the eggs. To sour the milk, add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to milk and let sit for 3 minutes. Add the sour milk. Add the vanilla. Sift the flour - this important. Add the flour, cocoa and salt. Stir the soda into the hot water separately and then add it into the mixing bowl.

Drop by teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet.

This is important: Use a greased cookie sheet and grease it every time you put a new tray into the oven.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, because they cook quickly!

Whoopie Pie filling:

2 egg whites
2 tablespoons vanilla
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons milk
4 cups confectioners sugar
1 cup shortening (Crisco)

Beat the egg whites. Add the vanilla. Add the flour and the milk. Add the sugar and mix well. Always save the shortening for the last item. Add the shortening and mix.

Place one spoonful of filling in between two cookies.
This recipe will make about 30 Whoopie Pies.

Eat and enjoy your Whoopie Pies!

For more information on Green Dragon please visit www.GreenDragonMarket.com.

For more information on the Whoopie Pie Festival visit http://www.WhoopiePieFestival.com where they have pictures of the largest Whoopie Pie ever made!

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