Shoofly pie.. Who has had it?

[4nana]

We really enjoy visiting Lancaster every couple yrs, but no can do the shoofly pies ! The woopie pies I can handle during visit, they sorta remind me of the Hostess
Suzi -Q cup cupcakes.

I really hope you get to visit the Amish fokes and their culture up close and personal. I was raised in the country surrounded by plenty of these great fokes and you don't forget their friendship easily. Maybe when your health is stronger you can take a drive to Md. and we could have a blast visiting our local farmer's market where they sell their goodies and also meet the group that lives in area surrounding my Mom. Just bought a case of apples from them last week-end, I think they're the best I've ever had!

 

[tazdev3225]

I have had shoo-fly pie. I used to hate it but it has grown on me. I cut the sweetness with ice cream. My dad loves whoopie pies. I like the cake paert and scoop out most of the filling. We live close enough to the Lancaster area that my parents go there all the time for breakfast and my dads pies. He's not supposed to have them.

C Ann - I have lurked on some of your posts and know that you read a lot of the fiction based on the Amish. My mom also goes there for the books. One of her favorite authors is Beverly Lewis and she was fortunate enough to meet her at a book signing a couple of weeks ago. She was first in line and waited 2 hours. She said the line was really long by the time Ms. Lewis arrived but mom was thrilled to have the opportunity.

 

[ckay87]

Yea, I have always lived in Amish Country, PA. Never knew anyone who hadn't had Shoofly Pie. I don't like the gooieness. I have a great recipie for shoofly cake which I prefer. It's like a coffee cake with the shoofly flavor. Very yummmmm.

 

[Mimi1965]

.. Since the Amish are currently the fastest growing population in NY state, ?

http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/cup_detail.taf?ti_id=5647

Just to clarify-according to this NY Amish book-the NY Amish are the fastest growing AMISH group in the country.
Not the fastest growing of any ethnic population in New York state

 

[Hannathy]

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.

That is how I would best describe it, pecan pie without the pecans.

The area around Lancaster is so commercial now. There are very large communities in western PA and Ohio. Close to where my sister lives they (the Amish) have a yearly quilt auction to raise money for their medical fund. They self insure. She has bought a few small quilts for my DD -she says she can't afford the big ones! and I got pot holders, lol. Guess you know who ranks first!

If you like dried fruit the Amish make very good dried Apples, I forget what they call them. My Mom always got those.

What cracks me up the most is when you see them shopping in Aldi's

 

[M&N]

I have lived in Lancaster County for over 50 years. I think it depends on who makes the pie. Some is much sweeter. The same with whoppie pies. Some use different fillings. I really don't know which would be considered more Amish.

This is Betty Groff's recipe...she is Mennonite and wrote several cookbooks and ran Groff's Farm restaurant. It's considered PA Dutch or PA German.

Shoofly Pie

1 unbaked 9" pie shell

Crumb Topping

1 cup flour ½ cup light brown sugar ¼ cup vegetable shortening

Liquid Bottom

1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup boiling water 1 cup golden table molasses ¼ tsp. salt

Whipped cream or ice cream (optional)

1 Combine the flour, brown sugar and shortening in a bowl and cut with a pastry blender or rub together until it forms fine crumbs.

2 While preparing the liquid, put the unbaked pie shell in a preheated oven at 350° F for about five minutes. This prevents the bottom from getting soggy.

3 To make the liquid, dissolve the soda in the boiling water in a bowl. Add the molasses and salt and stir to blend well.

4 Pour the liquid mixture into the prebaked pie shell and sprinkle the crumb topping evenly on top.

5 Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 10 minutes.

6 Reduce the heat to 350° and bake 30 minutes longer until the center does not shake when it is moved.

7 Serve warm, with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

(Makes 9" pie)

 

[Hannathy]

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.

That is how I would best describe it, pecan pie without the pecans.

The area around Lancaster is so commercial now. There are very large communities in western PA and Ohio. Close to where my sister lives they (the Amish) have a yearly quilt auction to raise money for their medical fund. They self insure. She has bought a few small quilts for my DD -she says she can't afford the big ones! and I got pot holders, lol. Guess you know who ranks first!

If you like dried fruit the Amish make very good dried Apples, I forget what they call them. My Mom always got those.

What cracks me up the most is when you see them shopping in Aldi's

 

[Octoberbride03]

I had it in college once. Somebody made it for a group project for class. I think we had an Amish wedding for that day. It was really good, and really heavy. I had a normal slice of pie and since this class was so late in the day I found that the pie held me over till at least breakfast the next day.

I would have it again if I had the opportunity. Don't know if that'll come up though.

 

[M&N]

If you like dried fruit the Amish make very good dried Apples, I forget what they call them. My Mom always got those.

What cracks me up the most is when you see them shopping in Aldi's

It's called apple snitz. I really did not care for that the one time I had it.

I like seeing them at WalMart! There's a buggy place for them.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

The recipe posted looks similar to the one I have from my great-grandma. She was PA Dutch. I made it once years ago and it was good but really sweet and you must like molasses. A thin slice will do.

 

[Hannathy]

double post

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I live about an hour from Lancaster, PA. I have had many shoo fly pies...some good, some not so good. A tiny slice is plenty for me, it is VERY sweet. Now...I LOVE me a good whoopie pie, but again, there are good ones and not so good. I think a PP had it right that some use too much shortening, and others use too much confectioners sugar.

C Ann, is there anywhere in the Corning area where you can have dinner with an Amish family? We did that once in the Lancaster area, and I think you would really enjoy it. I'm not sure if it's something offered anymore around Lancaster, since everything is so commercialized now, but it was an amazing experience.

 

[PaulaSue]

I have had it more times than I should have. How can I NOT growing up in Amish country?

BUT Whoopie pies are my favorite. Choco with PB icing

 

[Karalea]

C.Ann - I didn't know you were in the Corning area. My family is in Horseheads.

Have you ever been up near Penn Yan to the Windmill? There are several Mennonite booths there that sell baked goods. We have had many whoopie pies from there and I know they sell Shoe Fly Pies although I don't remember ever trying one.

 

[moburg]

Personally, I am not a fan of Shoofly pie. But everyone else in the family loves it.

Here is our family recipe, passed down from our Pennsylvania Dutch roots.


ShooFly Pie
(makes 2 pies) Use 2 deep dish pie crusts

1 cup Molasses
1 cup hot water
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix together above ingredients until they fiz

3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
pinch of salt

Mix together above 3 ingredients

Cut in 1 stick (1/2 cup of butter) into dry mixture with knife or pastry blender

For dryer pie, put a small amount of dry mixture into pie crust first, then pour wet mixture in, top with remaining dry mixture, do not combine.

For wetter pie, pour all wet mixture in first, then top with all dry mixture, do not combine.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 min. Reduce to 350 and bake for 20 min.

 

[AndreaDM]

I grew up in Amish Country in Ohio, had Amish neighbors and my kids had an Amish babysitter for years. Anyhoo, shoofly pie = yuck, whoopie pies = ok, now FRY PIES = DELICIOUS!! Another name for them is half moon pies, it is dough filled with fruit and sometimes cream cheese, folded in half, deep fried then dipped in a glaze. O my, those are so good!! By the way, if you ever do get the chance to visit Holmes County, Ohio I can hook you up with lots of info...I do have some connections.

 

[Denine]

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!

I can't remember if I have had shoofly pie, most likely I have. Now whoopie pies are another story, I LOVE those things!!! My mom used to make them and I want them everytime I go down to Amish. I have a lot of Amish cookbooks, my mom used to collect them and gave them to me.

 

[C.Ann]

I really hope you get to visit the Amish fokes and their culture up close and personal. I was raised in the country surrounded by plenty of these great fokes and you don't forget their friendship easily. Maybe when your health is stronger you can take a drive to Md. and we could have a blast visiting our local farmer's market where they sell their goodies and also meet the group that lives in area surrounding my Mom. Just bought a case of apples from them last week-end, I think they're the best I've ever had!

Oh gosh - that would be a dream come true - and such a generous offer.. We'll just have to see how things progress..

http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/cup_detail.taf?ti_id=5647

Just to clarify-according to this NY Amish book-the NY Amish are the fastest growing AMISH group in the country.
Not the fastest growing of any ethnic population in New York state

You are 100% correct.. I left out the word "Amish" - probably because my fingers were going faster than my brain.. LOL.. Thanks for catching that slip for me - I really appreciate it.. Try as I may, I'll never be "perfect".. Sigh...

I have that book and have read it from front to back already.. I normally buy my Amish books used, but since that one is specific to my state, I splurged and purchased it brand new online.. Worth every penny..

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

Thanks so much for that link.. They also have another ingredient that I need for yet another Amish recipe and I had no idea where I might be able to find it.. Now I know!

C Ann, is there anywhere in the Corning area where you can have dinner with an Amish family? We did that once in the Lancaster area, and I think you would really enjoy it. I'm not sure if it's something offered anymore around Lancaster, since everything is so commercialized now, but it was an amazing experience.

C.Ann - I didn't know you were in the Corning area. My family is in Horseheads.

Have you ever been up near Penn Yan to the Windmill? There are several Mennonite booths there that sell baked goods. We have had many whoopie pies from there and I know they sell Shoe Fly Pies although I don't remember ever trying one.

No - I'm not close to Corning at all.. Rats!! Not saying it's impossible that I'll ever get there - but that remains to be seen..

-----------------------

Thanks for all these great replies..

 

[HugSome1]

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.

It's Thanksgiving Eve and my husband (born and raised in PA) requested to have a pie for a dessert tomorrow. His family is a Shoofly lover. I have only tried a slice may be 2 or 3 times ever. I think I've come to conclusion that it's awful. Thinking of it makes me gag. It's so gross. I just imagine it as Crisco and brown sugar. It ultimately has the consistency of kinetic sand. His family bought us a pie recently and I just stared at it. I just can't.

 

[skeeter31]

It's Thanksgiving Eve and my husband (born and raised in PA) requested to have a pie for a dessert tomorrow. His family is a Shoofly lover. I have only tried a slice may be 2 or 3 times ever. I think I've come to conclusion that it's awful. Thinking of it makes me gag. It's so gross. I just imagine it as Crisco and brown sugar. It ultimately has the consistency of kinetic sand. His family bought us a pie recently and I just stared at it. I just can't.

10 year old zombie thread resurrection as your first post?