Maine Desserts

Dying to try Maine’s official dessert? Okay, but it’s complicated.

Maine’s Legislature has decreed that blueberry pie, made with wild Maine blueberries, is the official state dessert. No surprise there. Maine is one of the world’s top suppliers of the feisty little fruit (Maine’s official berry, natch). Bakers across Maine produce versions of wild-blueberry pie that are scrumptious. There’s even the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival which features a wild-blueberry pie eating contest, several blueberry pie baking competitions and even a wild-blueberry musical. Some bakeries and cafes around the state that create Maine blueberry pie include Two Fat Cats (in Portland and South Portland), Wild Oats in Brunswick, Slates in Hallowell and Dysart’s in Hermon.

So now you’re all set for your official dessert? Well, hang on a second…

The whoopie pie was also in the running for the official title. Whoopie pies – two small, round chocolate cakes with creamy frosting between – are so popular that both Maine and Pennsylvania claim to have invented them. So Maine’s Legislature compromised. The vaunted and popular whoopie pie was named ‘the official state treat.’ Today, variations abound across Maine. Wicked Whoopies, whose whoopies have made it on to Oprah, makes more than 25 varieties, including mint, gingerbread and – get this – Maine Wild Blueberry. Other bakeries producing this classic include Two Fat Cats, Wild Oats, Slates, The Italian Bakery and Labadie’s Bakery, both in Lewiston. Labadie’s has been baking whoopie pies since 1925.

For the ultimate in whoopiness, check out the annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft. It includes several whoopie pie competitions and other activities.