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Maybe you know them as “Gobs” (especially if you hail from PA) or maybe you know them as “Whoopie Pies”. Whatever you call them, these classic desserts are absolutely irresistible! They consist of two cakey chocolate cookies sandwiched around an old-fashioned vanilla filling. Today I’m sharing my grandmother’s recipe, no marshmallow fluff in this one!
So what do you call them, Gobs or Whoopie Pies? Or maybe you don’t call them anything? Maybe this big, fat, Oreo cookie-looking thing on your screen is totally unfamiliar? If that’s the case I have a treat for you today!
I’m sharing my grandmother’s recipe for old fashioned Gobs. It’s a fairly simple recipe that yields soft, cakey chocolate cookies sandwiched around a not-too-sweet filling. I always thought that Gobs (Whoopie Pies) were known everywhere, but it seems the “Gobs” name is more of a Pennsylvania thing, and it’s what I grew up calling them.
So What is the Difference Between a Whoopie Pie and a Gob?
There is no difference between a Gob and a Whoopie Pie, different regions simply refer to them by different names. In fact, several different states claim that the Whoopie Pie originated from them (both Maine and Pennsylvania make strong cases, and as a PA resident guess who I’m siding with). The name “Whoopie Pie” is sometimes cited as having Amish origins (another vote for PA 😉), but with so many different origination stories, it’s hard to know for sure.
Let’s Talk about Gobs Filling
The filling for this old fashioned gob recipe might be a little different than you’re used to. It’s actually pretty similar to ermine frosting, if you’ve ever made that before.
Many Gobs recipes call for a marshmallow-fluff based filling, and some simply use a fluffy vanilla buttercream. To be honest, I’m always disappointed when I bite into a Gob that’s made with one of these imposter fillings. It’s just too sweet! For this filling, I stuck faithfully to my grandmother’s recipe (after a little coercion, more on that below).
What’s mostly unique about this recipe is that, rather than starting by creaming together butter and sugar, we instead begin by cooking together flour and milk on our stovetop to make a paste (or maybe it’s more of a roux). This paste(and not marshmallow fluff!) is going to be the base of our frosting. And it’s going to be good, and not too sweet.
TIP!Make sure you let your roux/paste coolcompletelybefore you stir in the remainder of your ingredients (butter, shortening, vanilla, salt, powdered sugar). On days when I have the foresight to do so, I actually like to make the paste first, that way it has plenty of time to cool while I’m making my chocolate cookies.
Shortening Vs. Butter
If you’re a regular Sugar Spun Run reader💜 you might be surprised to see that this recipe uses shortening. It’s not often that I use shortening in a recipe. Hardcore butter fan, right here 🙋🏼(remember my buttery, shortening-free peanut butter blossoms?).
Before I shared this gobs recipe, I was determined to modify it so that I used all butter and no shortening. That didnot go over well with my family/taste testers (all butter-lovers themselves). After at least half a dozen rounds of recipe variation trials and blind taste tests later, the consensus was overwhelming. Just stick to the recipe. For once. Geez.
So I did. And, as with my other family recipes (see my Potato Candy, Chocolate Fudge, and Angel Food Cake), some things are better left alone. Which in this case means we’re using shortening, believe it or not.
What If I Want to Use Butter Anyway?
These Gobs will still turn out if you use butter instead of the shortening that is called for. The primary drawback of doing a straight substitution is that the cookies will be a bit drier than they would be if you used shortening and the filling will lose some of its signature mouthfeel.
Do Gobs/Whoopie Pies Need to be Refrigerated?
While not required, I do recommend keeping your whoopie pies refrigerated, especially if it’s a particularly warm/humid time of year. My family actually prefers their gobs to be refrigerated, just make sure you wrap them in plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container so they don’t dry out.
Enjoy!
Other Recipes You Might Like:
- Chocolate Cake
- Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- No Bake Cookies
Make sure tocheck out my How to Make Gobs video at the bottom of the post! If you enjoy watching, make sure tosubscribe to my YouTube channelwhere I’ve already uploaded over 100 recipe videos that you can watch for free! 💜
Whoopie Pies (Gobs)
Maybe you know them as "Gobs" (especially if you hail from PA) or maybe you know them as "Whoopie Pies". Whatever you call them, these classic desserts are absolutely irresistible! They consist of two cakey chocolate cookies sandwiched around an old-fashioned vanilla filling. This is my grandmother's recipe.
4.91 from 41 votes
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Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Amish
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 16 whoopie pies
Calories: 284kcal
Author: Sam Merritt
Ingredients
CHOCOLATE COOKIES
- 1 cup sugar (200g)
- ¼ cup shortening I use Crisco
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk¹ (120ml) (see notes for substitute)
- 2 cups all-purpose plain flour (250g)
- ¼ cup cocoa powder² (50g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup very hot or boiling water (120ml)
CREAM FILLING
- 1 cup whole milk (236ml)
- 5 Tablespoons all-purpose plain flour
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (170g)
- 2 Tablespoons shortening
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (125g)
Instructions
CHOCOLATE COOKIES
Preheat oven to 450F (235C) and line several cookie sheets with parchment paper³. Set aside.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar and shortening and beat together until well-combined.
Add egg and vanilla extract and stir until mixture is pale yellow and well-combined.
Stir in buttermilk and then set mixture aside.
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Prepare your boiling water.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and hot/boiling water to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry ingredients and stirring until combined after each addition. I usually add the flour in 3 parts and the water in 2.
Stir until well-combined and mixture is smooth. Be sure to use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure ingredients are thoroughly combined. The mixture should be thin like a cake batter rather than thick like a cookie dough.
Drop cookie batter by a heaping Tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies at least 2” apart (they will spread in the oven).
Bake for 5 minutes in 450F (235C) oven, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Meanwhile, prepare your cream filling.
(Video) Easy Chocolate Whoopie Pies | Gobs
FILLING
This Whoopie Pie filling starts with a flour/milk paste that’s critical to the texture and consistency of an old-fashioned Whoopie Pie/Gob. Pour milk into medium-sized saucepan over medium/low heat and then sift/whisk flour into milk until smooth.
Continue to whisk constantly until mixture is thickened to a near paste-like consistency that wants to cling together. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming, before proceeding (if it’s warm and you proceed you’ll melt your filling and have a runny mess). If you refrigerate the filling, press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. To speed up the process you can pour mixture into another container but it will take at least 30 minutes. Flour mixture will thicken even more as it cools.
Once flour/milk mixture has cooled, add to a medium-sized mixing bowl along with butter, shortening, salt and vanilla. Use an electric mixer to beat until creamy and well-combined.
With mixer on low speed, gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined.
Pair up your cooled chocolate cookies so that you have evenly-sized pairs.
Pipe or spread filling onto the bottom of one cookie then top with another cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat until all cookies are filled. Enjoy!
Notes
¹If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can use my simple buttermilk substitute instead
²I’ve used both natural and Dutch processed cocoa powder and have had success with both but recommend natural cocoa powder.
³If you don’t have parchment paper, just use an ungreased cookie sheet.
Gobs will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for several days or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. My family actually prefers theirs refrigerated and think that the flavor develops after a night in the fridge.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gob | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.1mg
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
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FAQs
What's the difference between whoopie pies and gobs? ›
There is no difference between a Gob and a Whoopie Pie, different regions simply refer to them by different names. In fact, several different states claim that the Whoopie Pie originated from them (both Maine and Pennsylvania make strong cases, and as a PA resident guess who I'm siding with).
Are gobs a Pennsylvania thing? ›The term gob was trademarked in 1927 by the Harris-Boyer bakery. Gobs are inherently part of the fabric of Pennsylvania's culinary landscape. They are also part of New England's food history, but the dessert is known as a Whoopie Pie there.
What is the filling in whoopie pies made of? ›What is whoopie pie filling made of? The most common fillings are vanilla buttercream or marshmallow cream . Vanilla buttercream is typically made with butter, powdered sugar, milk/cream, and vanilla extract. Marshmallow cream is usually make with butter, powdered sugar, Marshmallow Fluff, and vanilla extract.
Why are whoopie pies called gobs? ›The whoopie pie is the official state treat of Maine (not to be confused with the official state dessert, which is blueberry pie). Gob [the term indigenous to the Pittsburgh region] has been trademarked by the Dutch Maid Bakery in Johnstown. The owner, Tim Yost, bought the rights to the name and the process in 1980.
Can you use a muffin top pan to make whoopie pies? ›Preheat oven to 350º. Butter two 4 inch muffin top pans. Line each cup with a parchment round, then butter parchment.
Why are there so many whoopie pies in Maine? ›In 2011, the Maine State Legislature designated the whoopie pie as Maine's official state treat. This confection traditionally consists of two chocolate cake-like rounds surrounding a white cream filling. The popular treat is reported to have been baked in Maine since 1925.
Do homemade whoopie pies need to be refrigerated? ›Whoopie Care
therefore must be kept refrigerated or frozen until use. – Best enjoyed at room temperature. – The Whoopie stays fresh refrigerated for ten days and up to two months frozen. Must be kept in an airtight container.
Whoopie pies can come out flat for a few reasons. The main reason is over mixing the cake batter. When you fold in the dry ingredients into the wet, make sure NOT to over mix. Just mix until the cocoa and flour just disappear.
What state makes the best whoopie pies? ›Maine Pretty Much Invented Whoopie Pies And Here Are The 9 Best Places To Find It. While there might be some debate among states, all Mainers know that we're the true inventor or the whoopie pie. Pennsylvania can probably make one that's okay, but if you want the real deal you're going to need to come to Maine!
What is an alley gob? ›Alleygobs, Checkers Chucks, Dabs, Dibs, Dids, Jackstones and Jicks are just some of regional variations of the name. The pieces used were often made from clay or chalk, and are dice sized cubes, being flat on 2 sides and had ridges on other 4.
Why is it called a gob? ›
There are two theories on this one. This term first showed up in regard to sailors around 1909 and may have come from the word gobble. Reportedly, some people thought that sailors gobbled their food. The term also may come from the word gob, which means to spit, something sailors also reportedly do often.
What are whoopie pies called in Pennsylvania? ›In the western half of Pennsylvania, whoopie pies are actually called "gobs," a term that's also used by coal miners to refer to coal, which, of course, the whoopie pie resembles. Per the Daily American, the Harris-Boyer Bakery in Johnstown trademarked "gob" in 1927.
Do gobs need to be refrigerated? ›Our chocolate gobs and chocolate chip gobs have a fluffy white cream filling and can be refrigerated to prolong their freshness. Our pumpkin gobs contain raisins and walnuts with a cream cheese filling and should be refrigerated. Gobs can be frozen.
What state is the true home of the whoopie pie? ›Maine's claim was that Labadie's Bakery invented them around 1925. The original bakery burned with all the records, so there was no way to trace the information. Undaunted, the good people of Maine established the whoopie pie as the official state treat in 2011.
Where did the Gob dessert originate? ›The Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau in Lancaster claims the whoopie pie recipe comes from the area's Amish and Pennsylvania German heritage. Immigrants brought predecessors of the whoopie pie to communities throughout the northeast in the early 1920s.
Where are whoopie pies called Gobs? ›The term “gob” was then trademarked in 1927 by the Harris-Boyer bakery. Gobs are inherently part of the fabric of Pennsylvania's culinary landscape. They are also part of New England's food history, but the dessert is known as a Whoopie Pie there.
Where did the name Gobs come from? ›Reportedly, some people thought that sailors gobbled their food. The term also may come from the word gob, which means to spit, something sailors also reportedly do often. English coastguardsmen were referred to as gobbies because of their spitting habits.
What's another name for whoopie pie? ›Also known as gobs, bobs, black-and-whites, “big fat Oreos,” and sometimes “moon pies,” whoopie pies are a sweet treat made from moist, cookie-shaped cakes sandwiched around a creamy filling.
Do you need to refrigerate whoopie pies? ›Whoopie Care
therefore must be kept refrigerated or frozen until use. – Best enjoyed at room temperature. – The Whoopie stays fresh refrigerated for ten days and up to two months frozen. Must be kept in an airtight container.