Chocolate whoopie pies are the classic New England dessert, particularly in Maine. They are as symbolic as the Maine lobster, LL Bean boots, a coastal lighthouse, and even the Boston Red Sox. Seriously. Two fudgy chocolate cookies filled with a vanilla frosting center like a cake sandwich made in heaven. Beyond brilliant! Even with all the amazing cake shops in England, like the most Instagrammed spot in London, Peggy Porschen Cakes, I would choose my chocolate whoopie pie recipe any day. And I love Peggy Porschen! Absolutely love! ❤️
Are whoopie pies in England?
Every visit to Maine it’s the first and last thing I do – buy whoopie pies. One (ok, quite a few) to immediately satisfy my whoopie pie fix, and then a bag of whoopie pies to bring back to the UK. Because even despite all the cakes served for afternoon tea, this is one American thing you can’t get in England.
So what do you do when this classically amazing and magical New England dessert isn’t in, of all places, England? Well, you make some!
Are whoopie pies moon pies?
Though whoopie pies were originally made with a marshmallow filling by the Pennsylvania Amish (more history here), over the years the center has morphed into new delights.
For non-New Englanders in the States, like my west coast and Texas friends, they were confused by the whoopie pie because of the marshmallow center when I would describe this amazingly delicious Maine treat to them.
“Moon pie?” they’d say.
And I’d quickly clarify, “No! Whoopie pies are NOT moon pies. Whoopie pies are SOOOO much better.”
Needless to say, my own personal preference for the whoopie pie center is a vanilla frosting or buttercream. You will not find a marshmallow filling recipe here.🙅♀️
However, the good news is that If marshmallow is your thing, you’re in luck. Amazon sells the Original Marshmallow Fluff for £5 in the UK. I must confess though that my vanilla frosting is 100% the way to go. 👍🏻
Ready to make the most amazing New England dessert in England, brought to you by a real New England girl herself? I thought so.
Chocolate Whoopie Pie Recipe
A chocolate whoopie pie recipe converted for both sides of the pond. Enjoy! 🌍
Total time to make: 2 hours. Clean up in between steps and while the chocolate whoopie pies are baking. This way you can reuse bowls to make the filling.
Makes 22 medium sized whoopie pies. Keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Or store in a freezer sealed container for 1-2 months. To thaw, remove and enjoy once they are at room temperature.
Chocolate Whoopie Pie Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 3-4 pinches of sea salt (I twist my salt mill 10 times)
- 11 tbsp butter (156g; This is approximately 60% of a 250g block of butter)
- 1 ½ cups light soft brown sugar (I use muscovado)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups milk
Vanilla Filling:
- 13 tbsp butter, softened (186g; This is approximately 75% of a 250g block of butter)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 tbsp milk
- 4 cups icing sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180℃ (350℉). Set out the butter to soften.
- Mix dry ingredients together, flour, baking soda, cocoa, and salt, in a medium to large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Beat the sugar and softened butter together in a bowl larger than the one used in step 1. Once the mix is fluffy, beat in the eggs, then the vanilla.
- Add 1/2 of the dry mix to the bowl with the wet mix, and then the milk. Beat until well mixed and then add the rest of the dry mix. Beat until the mix is fully incorporated.
- Line 2 cookie sheets with wax or parchment paper.
- Using a melon or small ice cream scoop, add 12 mounds of batter per cookie sheet.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 8 minutes. Set the prepared tray in the fridge while waiting for a batch to finish.
- Using a spatula, transfer to a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
- To make the filling, add the softened butter and vanilla extract to a medium sized mixing bowl. Beat until the mix turns creamy. Then add the milk and beat until incorporated. Then add in the icing sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- To assemble, spread the filling over the flat side of a cake and top with one of roughly the same shape.
- Enjoy!
From New England to England, I truly believe these chocolate whoopie pies are fit for the Queen! What do you think? 👑
Looking for more New England inspiration while in England? You’ll love these!
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Recipe
- Postcards of England or New England?
- 5 Reasons to Embrace Englishness
- And make settling into expat life a lot less stressful and overwhelming with this easy meal plan that sorts out meals and grocery shopping for a whole week. Converted for expats, from an expat. 😉Download today!
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