AuthorKatrina Iorio is a writer from Chicago, Illinois. In her free time, she likes to make music with others, bake focaccia bread, and read creative non-fiction books. She is currently enrolled as a copywriter at Chicago Portfolio School.  If you are like me, then you are not from New Hampshire, which means you also didn’t grow up knowing what a whoopie pie is, (Whoopi Goldberg? Yes. Whoopie Pies? What?) In fact, you may be wondering, what actually is a whoopie pie? It’s not cake, not quite a cupcake, it’s definitely not a pie… it’s almost like an ice cream sandwich minus the ice cream part. Traditional whoopie pies come from the New England region of the United States and are made by stuffing two dense chocolate cakes with fluffy marshmallow frosting. JL Cakes, a small business located in New Hampshire has their own version of the OG Whoopie pie--along with more than 25 other unique and tempting flavors. After trying NINE different flavors of JL Cake’s whoopie pies, I can now confirm that the dessert is just as fun and whimsical as its name suggests. JL Cakes prides themselves on being a small family business, (seriously small--just two people) and is located in Berlin, New Hampshire. While whoopie pies may feel a bit niche, JL Cakes owners Jody and Lisa are on a mission to bring whoopie pies to the world. As a midwesterner, I love this idea--why should New Englanders get to have all of the fun?  After ordering and choosing my flavors, my box of pies arrived within just a few days. The box clearly designated that the pies were perishable, and even had specific instructions on how to keep the pies fresh. Each pie was wrapped individually with a cute sticker on the front with the brand name and flavor. I loved the personalization of the delivery--you could tell by the packaging and specificity alone that JL Cakes is a business that cares about each and every one of their deliveries. I picked a wide range of flavors, (admittedly some funky ones) from maple creme to mint chip to Baklava. I sampled them with my parents, because eating nine whoopie pies is easier said than done, and we had so much fun reviewing them and choosing our favorite flavors. The base for all of the pies is the same--a thick, almost brownie-like chocolate cake--while the flavor difference comes from the frosting inside. If you enjoy an Amaretto sour, I’d highly recommend their Amaretto flavor. It was nutty and tasted just like the real stuff. If you’re looking for something more classic, I’d also suggest trying out the Mint Chip or Snickers flavors. I would love to sample these again at a party of some sort--there is certainly a flavor for everyone and the pies themselves are such a fun way to try out a new kind of dessert. Growing up in the midwest, I had never had a whoopie pie, (I even worked at a bakery for over 5 years, and yeah, still nothing), but luckily JL Cakes didn’t disappoint. As a dessert-enthusiast and someone who is always willing to try something new, I’d definitely buy from JL Cakes again. Next time, I’d love to try the Peanut Butter Lover and Mexican Hot Chocolate Whoopie. If you find yourself bored of cookies, cakes, and cupcakes, and are itching to try something new, whoopie pies are unique, tasty, and fun to try. Check them out!
0 Comments
AuthorEnrique Rosado is a Puerto Rican who loves food and writing. When he isn’t searching for something delicious to eat, he is writing either a new project or his webcomic Cat Trails on Webtoon and Tapas. You can find more on Instagram or Tiktok at @writerrosado  Whoopie Pies are a treat everyone deserves. Sadly, if you didn’t grow up or visited the New England area, you probably have never heard of these fluffy baked goods. I am so sorry because you are missing out on something fantastic, especially if you haven’t had JL Cakes’ Whoopie Pies.  What Is A Whoopie Pie? Imagine an Oreo and a brownie cake combined. The top and bottom bun are a soft chocolate pastry, and sandwiched between is a sweet cream. JL Cakes is based in New Hampshire and was started by Jody and Lisa. They stock more than 40 stores in the north county and offer a variety of flavors and treats. They reached out and offered me a sample to try them out. As a fan of whoopie pies, I jumped at the opportunity. Though my tastes are discerning, I approached this with an open mind.  What Makes JL Cakes Unique? Now you know what Whoopie pies are, but there is a lot that separate these whoopie pies from the other brands. We should start with the obvious. How do they taste? JL’s approach to the baked good is a welcomed take. They balance the soft cake texture with the sturdy brownie consistency. Doing this allows you to take a full bite with the whoopie pie staying intact and not crumbling in your hand. The chocolate balances sweet with a solid cocoa flavor, allowing you to eat the whole pie in one sitting and not feeling that “Too sweet sick” in your stomach. The cream is light, fluffy, and they don’t put too much, overpowering the whoopie pie while giving you plenty so that you can taste it in every bite. JL Cakes takes extra steps to differentiate their whoopie pies from the competition in the best way possible, starting with the pie's delicious fillings. They have a vast array of choices that made it a struggle to pick only nine. Yes, nine is still not enough as you are left debating which you want. Depending on the pie you get, the filling may have a surprise. When I bit into the Hot Cocoa seasonal flavor, I was greeted with a sweet surprise. In the cocoa cream are chunks of real marshmallows. Added Touches like this separate themselves from the rest as multiple flavors had this effect, like cookies in the cookies and cream and chocolate chips in the mint chocolate chip.  Don’t want a Whoopie Pie (what’s wrong with you?) Then might I suggest their amazing snowballs! These are little cakes covered in coconut with a vanilla cream center. I have loved snowballs as a kid, and these truly live up to my expectations. They come in vanilla and chocolate. Both are satisfying, but chocolate hits different.  Keep The Branding Strong Branding is always a factor we should consider when it comes to the products we consume. A uniformed design shows they are diligent with their standards and their pastries. JL takes this to heart with the designs of their packaging. Each pie is sealed tight and accompanied by a sticker. Each one indicates the flavor but not only in words. There is an image of each flavor one the sticker. With this you will immediately know which one you are grabbing out of the box. Speaking of the box, that also comes with a few special touches that separate them from others. On the inside, you will find the date of when the whoopie pies were made, the date of when you should keep them out, and instructions on how to preserve them. This may seem like information every baked item should have, but it’s a fact it is placed right in front of your face in clear and concise language that elevates it. No questions needed, as it is all answered here.  What do I recommend?
These treats are worth every bite as they are soft to chew, but the flavor lays heavy on your tongue. Make sure you head over to (link) and get ourselves a package today. If you wonder which flavor to start with, I say get the Mint Chocolate Chip first and the churros as a strong second. The Hot Cocoa is my third, but that is seasonal. If you don’t see it, you can’t go wrong with black raspberry. |
ArchivesCategories
All
Featured ON
|
RSS Feed
JL cakes+JDH Enterprises LLC
Office: 430 Church St Berlin, NH 03570 All Inquires - 207.200.1311 Online & Wholesale - Jody@CakesPlus.biz Custom Order Cakes - Lisa@CakesPlus.biz Office Hours: Mon-Wed 9-5, Thu-Fri 12-5 |
|