Shoofly pie.. Who has had it?

[C.Ann]

Okay - in amongst my reading of Amish novels - and doing my research on the Amish in general - I have also begun to collect Amish recipes that I might like to try..

(By the way, I found the one for creamed celery - that is so common at the wedding feast - but I think the recipe is for around 200 people, so I have to do some figuring before I can try it - LOL..)

Anyhow - the Shoofly Pie.. In all honesty, the ingredients sound like a gooey mess of sugary substances - but I have heard people rave about it..

Has anyone here tried it while in Lancaster? And if so, did you like it? Is it sickening sweet?

How about the Whoopie Pies? Any opinions on those?

I'd hate to waste a bunch of ingredients on stuff that no one (including myself) will like..

Thanks!

 

[Christine]

LOVVVEEEE Shoofly Pie. I mainly have had it while visiting Lancaster although when we had a few Amish markets in this area, I would buy it.

My preference is the wet bottom Shoofly Pie versus the dry version. I don't care for the dry version at all.

I've tried to make it and I cannot do it.

 

[MushyMushy]

I tried shoofly pie once and BLECH! I love pies, but this was gross. I have to say, though, that I don't care for molasses.

Whoopie pies are GREAT. We call them gobs where I live and they are so good.

Do you live anywhere near an Amish community? I'm not close enough to buy their foods on a regular basis, but whenever I see a roadside stand, I'm sure to stop! Yum.

 

[C.Ann]

LOVVVEEEE Shoofly Pie. I mainly have had it while visiting Lancaster although when we had a few Amish markets in this area, I would buy it.

My preference is the wet bottom Shoofly Pie versus the dry version. I don't care for the dry version at all.

I've tried to make it and I cannot do it.

I'll have to check to see if the recipe I have is the wet bottom or dry bottom..

But what did it taste like? Is it extremely sweet?

 

[Christine]

I'll have to check to see if the recipe I have is the wet bottom or dry bottom..

But what did it taste like? Is it extremely sweet?

Yes, it is very sweet. I wouldn't say it is "extreme" but it is sweet enough to take the nastiness/bitterness out of the molassas.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'm in the Lehigh Vally so Shoofly pie is very popular here. I bought it once and it was awful. The thing is pretty much a big glob of Molasses. I commented to a local here about it and was told the stuff isn't traditionally meant for eating. If I remember correctly home makers would make one and put it out with their eating pies, like apple ect. to draw the flies away from the good stuff. I know lots of people like to eat it nowadays but I tend to trust the local historians around here. The Pennsylvania Dutch LOVE their history where I am.

By all means give it a try but if You'd like I could try to find an Amish brand one and send It to you. The farmers market I go to is all about Amish stuff, I'm pretty sure I could find one

 

[C.Ann]

I tried shoofly pie once and BLECH! I love pies, but this was gross. I have to say, though, that I don't care for molasses.

Whoopie pies are GREAT. We call them gobs where I live and they are so good.

Do you live anywhere near an Amish community? I'm not close enough to buy their foods on a regular basis, but whenever I see a roadside stand, I'm sure to stop! Yum.

There's several about an hour from here - yep - right in upstate NY.. I thought that DD, my DGD, & I might get over there this Saturday, but I just found out they have a chance to go to the Big E this weekend (they've never been before), so I'm hoping that a week from this Saturday will be a nice day and we can take the drive then..

I'm very, very anxious to visit the roadside stands I've read (and heard) about in that area (can't wait to see what they have to offer); see some Amish homes; track down a few of the Amish schools; and actually get to spend some time talking with the Amish.. I've been chatting with someone who spends quite a bit of time in and around the Amish communities located not far from here and he has given me some "tips" on where to go; how to engage them in conversation; topics to avoid; etc..

If this goes well, maybe next year we'll head to the Amish communities that are quite far north of here (almost to the Canadian border) - or perhaps those in the western part of the state.. The book that I purchased about the Amish in NY state has been a gold mine of helpful information as well.. (Worth every penny I paid for it!)

Yes, it is very sweet. I wouldn't say it is "extreme" but it is sweet enough to take the nastiness/bitterness out of the molassas.

Well - I do like molasses - so I guess it's worth a try.. Thanks!

 

[C.Ann]

I'm in the Lehigh Vally so Shoofly pie is very popular here. I bought it once and it was awful. The thing is pretty much a big glob of Molasses. I commented to a local here about it and was told the stuff isn't traditionally meant for eating. If I remember correctly home makers would make one and put it out with their eating pies, like apple ect. to draw the flies away from the good stuff. I know lots of people like to eat it nowadays but I tend to trust the local historians around here.

By all means give it a try but if You'd like I could try to find an Amish brand one and send It to you. The farmers market I go to is all about Amish stuff, I'm pretty sure I could find one

How interesting! Was it the Amish that did this? If so, I have to add that bit of info to my research..

Awww..that's sweet of you to offer to send me a pie.. What a nice gesture.. I think I'll just go ahead and try to make one though - maybe it will satisfy my curiosity about living like the Amish..

Although I really doubt it..

 

[Art 1]

Grew up around Amish folks. Yes.

 

[wdwmom2]

I made a shoofly pie for my dad once, he loved those pies. He never did let me live it down though, I made it "topless". I didn't realize it was supposed to have a some type of top on it, crumbs I think. Oh well, it was the thought!! They are very sweet. I can eat it, but not my favorite.

I do loves me some whoopie pies though. Yummy!!!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I am recovering from surgery but I can try and get out to a local library and find a traditional recipe for you if you are interested. The pies that look like doughy coffee cakes are not the traditional ones. The traditional ones look more like chocolate pudding than anything else. Or at least that's what the old timers demand around here. I'm surer he new ones taste better but since you are going for authentic new recipes might not really be what you are looking for.... That is unless you found an old time recipe from your research.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Far and away my favorite pie....

 

[C.Ann]

I am recovering from surgery but I can try and get out to a local library and find a traditional recipe for you if you are interested. The pies that look like doughy coffee cakes are not the traditional ones. The traditional ones look more like chocolate pudding than anything else. Or at least that's what the old timers demand around here. I'm surer he new ones taste better but since you are going for authentic new recipes might not really be what you are looking for.... That is unless you found an old time recipe from your research.

Sorry about your surgery.. I didn't know.. Hope you feel better real soon!

Yes - the recipe I have is an old time recipe from doing my research.. I also recently received two non-fiction Amish books (haven't had a chance to go through them yet) that contain old Amish recipes - as well as Amish home remedies.. Now that should be interesting!!

 

[fireman17]

Here is a link where you can order it online. It may save you the trouble of trying to make it.
http://www.padutchfreshfoods.com/Shoo_Fly_Pie_s/6.htm

 

[phorsenuf]

C.Ann, have you ever visited Amish country?

 

[C.Ann]

C.Ann, have you ever visited Amish country?

Sadly, no.. The closest I will probably ever get is to the Amish communities right here in NY.. I suppose that's not a "bad" thing though - not as much commercialism as Lancaster County; Holmes County; etc..

DD and I have just never been able to work out a definite time when we could make a trip - with my DGD being in school - and me only being able to travel in certain weather conditions because of health issues..

Maybe we'll get there someday - but for now I'm perfectly happy with having the opportunity to visit Amish communities that are right here in NY.. Since the Amish are currently the fastest Amish growing population in NY state, we may eventually end up having a "Lancaster" type tourist area right here.. Wouldn't that be interesting?

 

[Pooh67_68]

I love shoo fly pie, wet bottom not dry, sweet yes but not sicking so. I like the ones directly from Lancaster though, the ones made here in the grocery stores are horrid. Luckly just a few miles up is an indoor fleamarket and Amish from Lancaster sell their wood furniture and sometimes they also have pies.


Whoopie pies, my aunt found a recipe in the Sunday paper a few years back and made some. They were ok, I thought they were a bit dry.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Shoofly pie, delicious, must be wet bottom with LOTS of crumbles on the top. Also it must be made with turkey brand molasses - it really makes the taste, it is much better than the others.

Whoopie pies are good, but they are VERY sweet. Don't use shortening for the filling or it will basically taste like crisco. Our farmer's market will have pumpkin this time of year in addition to the regular chocolate cake one.

ETA: http://www.goldenbarrel.com/mrs-schlorers-mayonnaise.php The molasses is pictured on here, I think you can also order it from there.

 

[marcyinPA]

Living not too far from Lancaster PA, I've had Shoofly Pie before. I don't care for it at all. However, I do like it's dry bottomed counterpart, Molasses Crumb Cake. My good friend makes it, and it is SOOO good!

My mom used to make whoopie pies when I was little and they are YUMMY. I haven't had one in a long time...but they are worth the effort and cost of ingredients!

 

[*BTMRR*]

I've had whoopie pies a couple of times. Once, the filling tasted just like eating a big scoop of sweetened Crisco like the PP said. The other time, the filling tasted much better. Someone else made them so I'm not sure what the recipe was!

I tried "wet bottom" type shoofly pie once. I thought it was a little like pecan pie without the pecans, and with more of a molasses flavor. I don't care much for molasses so I didn't really like it.

I'd like to learn more about the Amish too!