Frosting squished out the sides and landed on my shoe before I even made it back to the car. That was the moment I realized a Pennsylvania whoopie pie is not a snack you eat politely.
These soft cake sandwiches with their pillowy cream centers are a true local treasure, and the best ones come from small, unassuming bakeries you might drive right past. Grab a napkin, or maybe five, because this list is about to make you very hungry.
1. Bird in Hand Bakeshop, Bird in Hand, PA
Down a quiet country road in Lancaster County sits a family-run bakeshop that treats whoopie pies like a serious calling. Flavors line the case all year long, so you never have to wait for a season to find your favorite.
Locals will tell you not to confuse it with the bigger bakery nearby, since this smaller shop on Gibbons Road is its own special stop…