Though the origin of the dessert is riddled with controversy, there’s no doubt that the whoopie pie has been an American classic since the 1920s. And since we’re usually feeling at least a little nostalgic this time of year, we set out to find this beloved treat somewhere in St. Augustine. That’s how we stumbled upon the Oatmeal Whoopie Pie at LuLi’s Cupcakes.
Though as the name implies, LuLi’s is known for their cupcakes (and for good reason – they’re delicious), the pastry team also dabbles in decadent desserts and custom cakes. And on this uptown excursion, one particularly delightful dessert was in our sights.
The whoopie pie is traditionally two round slices of chocolate cake with a sweet, creamy frosting or filling sandwiched in between them. Luli’s decided to take their version of the pie in a slightly different direction though.
“We carry plenty of chocolate options, and we wanted something different,” says owner and baking extraordinaire Lela Pate. “Oatmeal always strikes me as warm and nostalgic. This is basically an adult version of a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie.”
The pie is soft and sweet, boasting vanilla buttercream frosting in the middle. The frosting is delectably sugary like you might expect, but the oatmeal gives the whole dessert a new texture and adds some balance to the sweetness. Like most nostalgic things (whoopie pies and oatmeal, for example), the Oatmeal Whoopie Pie has been given a slightly modern makeover, and through using a coconut flour substitute, this dessert is gluten free. It’s also, by the way, a very generous size, so unless you have a major sweet tooth or plan on saving some for later, we suggest sharing at least a few bites with a friend.
Even if you didn’t grow up eating whoopie pies, LuLi’s Oatmeal Whoopie Pie will have you dreaming of days gone by, feeling warm and cozy with a special take on a classic dessert.
LuLi’s is located at 82 San Marco Avenue. Visit them online at www.luliscupcakes.com. Photography by Brian Miller.
