A Delicious Dilemma: Is a Whoopie Pie a Cake or a Cookie?

Whoopie Pies occupy a unique space in the world of desserts. They’re not quite cakes, and they’re not exactly cookies. Instead, they’re a delightful hybrid of both, offering the best of both worlds. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intriguing question of whether a Whoopie Pie should be classified as a cake, a cookie, or something altogether distinct.

The Cake-Like Aspects of Whoopie Pies

One could argue that Whoopie Pies lean more towards the cake category due to several cake-like qualities:

1. Soft and Moist Texture: The exterior layers of a Whoopie Pie are soft and moist, much like a cake. These layers are made from a batter that is akin to cake batter, using ingredients such as flour, cocoa, eggs, and buttermilk.

2. Leavening Agent: Baking soda is often used in Whoopie Pie recipes to give the outer layers a fluffy and cake-like rise.

3. Cake Batter Preparation: Making the outer layers of a Whoopie Pie involves creating a cake-like batter that’s dropped onto a baking sheet in cookie-sized portions. The batter is more liquid than traditional cookie dough.

The Cookie-Like Aspects of Whoopie Pies

On the other hand, Whoopie Pies exhibit several cookie-like characteristics:

1. Handheld and Portable: Much like cookies, Whoopie Pies are handheld treats, which makes them easy to carry and share.

2. Filling: The creamy filling between the two layers is reminiscent of the filling in many cookie sandwiches, like Oreos. It’s sweet and creamy, and it complements the soft layers.

3. Bite-Sized Indulgence: Whoopie Pies are often smaller and more bite-sized compared to traditional cakes. This is similar to cookies, which are typically smaller portions of baked goods.

A Unique Dessert

In the end, it’s not entirely accurate to classify Whoopie Pies as either a cake or a cookie. Instead, they are a distinct dessert in their own right, combining the best elements of both cakes and cookies. They offer the softness and moisture of cake layers and the handheld, portable convenience of cookies. What truly sets Whoopie Pies apart is their filling, which brings a creamy and delightful contrast to the tender layers. So, the next time you enjoy a Whoopie Pie, you can appreciate the best of both worlds, and relish in the fact that they’re a unique and delicious treat, defying easy categorisation.