What Makes a Real Maine Whoopie Pie?
Whoopie pies are enjoyed all over the country, but a true Maine whoopie pie follows a very specific style that has been part of the state’s baking tradition for generations. As one of Maine’s oldest whoopie pie bakeries, Labadie’s has been using the same classic recipe since 1925. If you want to know what separates real Maine whoopie pies from other versions, this page breaks down the key characteristics.
A Soft, Cake-Like Texture
A real Maine whoopie pie has soft, domed chocolate cakes with a texture similar to homemade chocolate cake — not cookies, not dense patties, and not dry or crumbly. The cakes should be:
• soft
• moist
• slightly fluffy
• evenly baked
• stable enough to hold the filling
This texture is one of the defining features of a traditional Maine whoopie pie.
A Traditional, Balanced Filling
The filling is another defining characteristic. A real Maine whoopie pie does not use overly sugary frosting or heavy, modern-style fillings. Instead, the classic Maine filling is:
• smooth
• creamy
• balanced in sweetness
• light in texture
• made using traditional methods
It should complement the cake, not overpower it.
Classic Size and Proportions
Maine whoopie pies typically maintain a consistent, hand-sized proportion. They are meant to be eaten easily without being messy or oversized. Traditional sizing includes:
• balanced cake-to-filling ratio
• a clean dome shape
• individually wrapped for freshness
• easy to serve and share
The goal is heritage and taste — not novelty size.
Simple, Familiar Ingredients
Real Maine whoopie pies rely on classic baking ingredients. Traditional recipes use:
• cocoa
• flour
• buttermilk
• sugar
• classic filling ingredients
No shortcuts, no gimmicks, no modern variations that stray from the original New England formula.
A Long History in Maine Culture
The whoopie pie has been part of Maine food culture since the early 1900s. Families have passed down recipes, bakeries kept traditional methods alive, and the dessert became a recognizable part of local life.
Labadie’s Bakery is one of the earliest commercial bakeries to make and sell whoopie pies in Maine, starting in 1925. For many people, the flavor of a Labadie’s whoopie pie is the flavor they grew up with.
Why Labadie’s Represents the Real Maine Style
Our whoopie pies have remained consistent for nearly 100 years. Customers recognize the traditional flavor immediately, and that familiarity is why so many people choose our pies when they want the “real thing.”
We continue to make whoopie pies the same way:
• fresh daily
• individually wrapped
• traditional filling
• original recipe
• small-batch baking
This is what makes a whoopie pie authentically Maine.
Taste an Authentic Maine Classic
If you want to experience a real Maine whoopie pie, Labadie’s Bakery continues to bake them the traditional way — exactly as Mainers remember. Whether you visit our Lewiston bakery or order nationwide delivery, you’re getting the genuine Maine style.