What’s in a name? Well, Shoofly pie has nothing to do with shoes or flies, and it’s only part pie. It’s actually a pie-cake hybrid.
Philadelphians firstintroduceda crustless dessert called “Centennial Cake” in 1876. Unfortunately for Centennial Cake, the Amish wanted something they could eat with their hands over morning coffee, and this crumblyformat didn’t work. Bakers tossed the batter into a pie crust, effectively creating the handheld version now known as Shoofly pie.
The Amish fell in love with the molasses-filled, crumb-topped treat. Using the same set of ingredients, they developed two styles of Shoofly pie: wet-bottom and dry-bottom. Amish women made the wet-bottom versionby filling a pie shell with sweet molasses, which soaks into the crust and creates a molten, “wet” bottom layer upon baking. The result is a bit like sticky toffee pudding. In a dry-bottom Shoofly pie, the baker alternates layering brown sugar crumb with molasses filling. The equally distributed ratio of wet and dry bakes into something like a pie-crusted coffee cake. Both versions are finished with buttery, brown sugar crumbs.
Pie lore offers two explanations for its unusual name. The simple one is that flies get stuck in the sticky-sweet molasses, so bakers must shoo them away. The second explanation is that the pie was named after the 19th-century “Shoofly” brand of molasses. But the story of Shoofly goes back further. According to historian William Woys Weaver, the molasses had been named after an iconic circus animal (Shoofly the Boxing Mule), who had been named after a popular song written during the Civil War (“Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me”).
The hearty pie-cake fusion remains popular in Pennsylvania’s Amish country. You can still find the treat—unchanged from its original recipe—baked by descendants of the early Amish settlers who first made Shoofly pie more than a hundred years ago.
FAQs
Both versions are finished with buttery, brown sugar crumbs. Pie lore offers two explanations for its unusual name. The simple one is that flies get stuck in the sticky-sweet molasses, so bakers must shoo them away. The second explanation is that the pie was named after the 19th-century “Shoofly” brand of molasses.
What is the history of shoo fly cake? ›
Shoo fly pie, an invention of Pennsylvania, has a well-documented 140-year history. The quintessential Pennsylvania Dutch pie probably evolved from a “Centennial cake” that was created for the 1876 Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia, according to Pennsylvania food historian William Woys Weaver.
Why are Amish pies so good? ›
While baking, fresh butter is used generously to achieve that ideal, moist consistency. From pie crusts to cakes, Amish baking never tastes dry or crumbles apart thanks to its addition. The butter is the key to holding everything together and making it extra savory.
How to eat shoofly pie? ›
With a crumbly topping, the pie resembles coffee cake and is a delicious treat for breakfast. You could also have it as a dessert with some ice cream, or top it with whipped cream to enjoy any time of day. Shoofly pie is a must-try delicacy for visitors to Lancaster County.
What does "shoofly" mean? ›
1. : a child's rocker having the seat built on or usually between supports representing an animal figure. 2. : any of several plants held to repel flies.
Why is it called a shoo-fly? ›
Its name came about this way: in the 19th century, “shoo-fly” was a common American interjection that entered the vocabulary from a popular minstrel song. Just as it implies, it was used to scare away pests, often accompanied with the flapping of hands.
What is the meaning of flying cakes? ›
Flying cakes are dangerous means that cake is considered to be an omen for a good/ happy news. Too many cakes would mean too many happy news. And one should not agree on any news that you listen to from someone else.
What is the oldest cake in the world? ›
Linzer Torte is the world's oldest known cake and is named after the Austrian city of Linz. It has been documented as early as 1696. Its oldest recipe is listed in a 300-year-old cookbook!
Who is the founder of Flying cakes? ›
Startup Pedia | Founded by Sunil Vashisht in 2007, Flying Cakes is a popular dessert brand that sells birthday cakes, pastries, and other desserts.
What is the Amish signature dish? ›
These are some of the classics you simply must try while visiting this part of the world:
- Butter Noodles. The Amish love of carbohydrates includes noodles as a staple accompaniment to many meals. ...
- Breakfast Casserole. ...
- Shoofly Pie. ...
- Dutch Cabbage Rolls. ...
- Pickled Beets. ...
- Chicken Corn Soup. ...
- Pot Pies. ...
- Bologna.
13 Heartwarming Amish Breakfasts
- 01 of 13. Amish Friendship Bread. ...
- 02 of 13. Baked Oatmeal. ...
- 03 of 13. Cheesy Amish Breakfast Casserole. ...
- 04 of 13. Mennonite Orange Muffins. ...
- 05 of 13. Amish Friendship Chocolate Bread. ...
- 06 of 13. Lemon Poppy Seed Amish Friendship Bread. ...
- 07 of 13. Amish Hash Browns. ...
- 08 of 13. Amish Sourdough Pancakes.
Can the Amish drink coffee? ›
It's no surprise that outsiders are often curious about Amish everyday life, and their eating habits. Do the Amish drink coffee? The answer is yes, they certainly do! However, they don't use electric kettles or coffee machines as we do.
What are some fun facts about shoofly pie? ›
Shoofly pie history
According to historian William Woys Weaver, shoofly pie started as a crustless molasses cake or Centennial Cake. It was baked in 1876 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Shoofly pie was a variation of the treacle tart.
What's another name for shoofly pie? ›
Shoofly pie
Alternative names | Shoo-fly pie, molasses crumb pie, soda rivvel cake |
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Place of origin | United States |
Region or state | Pennsylvania |
Main ingredients | pie shell, molasses |
Media: Shoo-fly pie |
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What state is known for shoofly pie? ›
Today, shoofly pie remains a beloved dessert in Lancaster County and throughout Pennsylvania. In fact, it has even become something of a cultural icon, with many tourists flocking to the region specifically to sample the dessert.
What is the meaning of fly pie? ›
shoo-fly pie in American English
(ˈʃuːˌflai) noun. an open pie filled with a sweet crumb and molasses mixture and baked.
What's the difference between pecan pie and shoo-fly pie? ›
Its closest relative is probably the pecan pie, because it also uses corn syrup, but the molasses and crumbs of the shoo-fly pie give it a dark, sticky, sweet flavor, completely unlike that of a nut or fruit pie.
Where did grasshopper pie get its name? ›
There's no grasshoppers in grasshopper pie. It's named after the classic co*cktail that has a similar flavor profile. Both the co*cktail and the pie get their name from their vibrant green color that resembles a grasshopper.
How did flapper pie get its name? ›
Flapper pie is a wonderful Canadian dessert that originated in the Prairies in the 1920s. They called it Flapper pie because it was popularized in the same era as the Flapper girls - fabulous!