Amos Orcutt, President of the University of Maine Foundation, has written Governor Baldacci suggesting that legislation be passed this session declaring the Whoopie Pie as Maine’s Official State Dessert.

Whoopie pies are traditionally two rounds of chocolate sponge cake with a vanilla filling made either of sweetened vegetable shortening (that is, Crisco) or a marshmallow based concoction. Their point of origin is in dispute, with Pennsylvania a strong contender but they were adopted in Maine early in the 20th century for no apparent reason and consequently many nostalgic vacationers have fond memories of whoopie pie filled summers in Maine.

Recently the whoopie pie has become gentrified with the cake rounds being made in pumpkin, ginger, blueberry, chocolate chip, and other flavors and the fillings similarly varied and refined. A short while ago the New York Times featured an article on tony whoopie pies claiming that they were the new cupcake (cup cakes, for your information, having been very trendy for the last two years or so.)

Orcutt cited other state desserts: Massachusetts, for example, has claimed Boston Crème Pie and the chocolate chip cookie both. He gave credit to Ashland High School Youth in Government who practiced legislative skills by writing a bill proposing whoopie pies as the state dessert.

Orcutt encouraged Baldacci to pass the legislation in time to announce it on June 26 which is Whoopie Pie Day in Dover-Foxcroft. Orcutt told the Governor that Maine ought to be known for other food than lobsters.

Sandy Oliver is a Food Historian, Author, MF&L columnist: The Way Things Were.