Homemade Amish Gobs (Whoopie Pies)
In Western Pennsylvania, we call them "Gobs" but maybe you prefer the term "Whoopie Pies." Whatever you call them, I call them delicious. For those who haven't heard of either, a Gob (that's what I am calling them from here on out,) is a soft, cake like, chocolate cookie sandwich with vanilla cream in the middle.
"The term gob was trademarked in 1927 by the Harris-Boyer bakery. Gobs are inherently part of the fabric of Pennsylvania's culinary landscape." You Can read more about the history of the Gob here.
Gobs are great for taking to parties, selling at bake sales, and satisfying your chocolate craving any time of day.
Prep Time: 1 hour Cook Time: 10 minutes Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 16 gobs
- 1 cup sugar (200g)
- ¼ cup shortening I use Crisco
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk¹ (120ml) (see notes for substitute)
- 2 cups all-purpose plain flour (250g)
- ¼ cup cocoa powder² (50g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup very hot or boiling water (120ml)
Cream Filling
- 1 cup whole milk (236ml)
- 5 Tablespoons all-purpose plain flour
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (170g)
- 2 Tablespoons shortening
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (125g)
Instructions
Chocolate Cookies
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Preheat oven to 450F (235C) and line several cookie sheets with parchment paper³. Set aside.
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In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar and shortening and beat together until well combined.
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Add egg and vanilla extract and stir until the mixture is pale yellow and well-combined
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Stir in buttermilk and then set mixture aside.
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In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Prepare your boiling water.
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Alternate adding the dry ingredients and hot/boiling water to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry ingredients and stirring until combined after each addition. I usually add the flour in 3 parts and the water in 2.
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Stir until well combined and the mixture is smooth. Be sure to use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly combined. The mixture should be thin like a cake batter rather than thick like cookie dough.
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Drop cookie batter by a heaping Tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies at least 2” apart (they will spread in the oven).
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Bake for 5 minutes in 450F (235C) oven, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
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Meanwhile, prepare your cream filling.
Filling
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This Gob filling starts with a flour/milk paste that’s critical to the texture and consistency of an old-fashioned Gob. Pour milk into medium-sized saucepan over medium/low heat and then whisk flour into milk until smooth.
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Continue to whisk constantly until mixture is thickened to a near paste-like consistency that wants to cling together. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming, before proceeding (if it’s warm and you proceed you’ll melt your filling and have a runny mess). If you refrigerate the filling, press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. To speed up the process you can pour mixture into another container but it will take at least 30 minutes. Flour mixture will thicken even more as it cools.
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Once flour/milk mixture has cooled, add to a medium-sized mixing bowl along with butter, shortening, salt and vanilla. Use an electric mixer to beat until creamy and well-combined.
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With mixer on low speed, gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined.
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Pair up your cooled chocolate cookies so that you have evenly sized pairs.
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Pipe or spread filling onto the bottom of one cookie then top with another cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat until all cookies are filled. Enjoy!
Notes from the author
¹If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can use my simple buttermilk substitute instead
²I’ve used both natural and Dutch processed cocoa powder and have had success with both but recommend natural cocoa powder.
³If you don’t have parchment paper, just use an ungreased cookie sheet.
Gobs will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for several days or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. My family actually prefers theirs refrigerated and think that the flavor develops after a night in the fridge.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gob | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.1mg
This recipe is compliments of Sugar Spun Run, thanks to Rada Cutlery for the kitchen utensils to make this recipe.
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