The History of Shoofly Pie
Shoofly pie, a classic sweet and sticky dessert pie, arrived on the Pennsylvania baking scene sometime around 1880. Since its creation, this rich, molasses-infused dessert has solidified its legacy as a Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, attracting travelers to the area from all over to sample a slice of this crumbly delight.
The origin of Shoofly Pie can be traced back to German-speaking immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th Century. In this article, we’ll whisk you through the history of this dessert, explore its connection to local lore, look at the different styles that have developed over time, and most importantly, show you how to get your hands on a slice of authentic PA Dutch Shoofly Pie!
Origins of Shoofly Pie
In the late 17th Century, a group of German-speaking people, mainly originating from the southern Rhineland part of Germany, left for America to flee persecution and the ever-present danger of the ongoing Thirty Years’ War. They came to settle in Pennsylvania, with a large percentage finding refuge in Lancaster County and the surrounding areas.
Today, there are a variety of sects, including the Amish, Mennonites, and others, who make up what is now known as the Pennsylvania Dutch culture in the Keystone State. Along with this group of immigrants came a history of hearty and savory culinary delights, sweet and sugary desserts, and lots of wonderful cultural traditions.
The Shoofly pie, now a staple during dessert time at tables across Lancaster County and beyond, is said to have originated around 1876. Some say it was created to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The limited number of necessary ingredients, coupled with Shoofly pie’s long shelf-life due to the absence of perishables like eggs, made it an ideal dessert. From its humble beginnings as a way to avoid leftover ingredients going to waste, the legend took off and carved its place in baking history.
How did Shoofly Pie get its name?
Like any legend worth its weight, the tale of how Shoofly Pie came to settle on its name varies, depending on who you ask.
Cooling pies attracted flies
The most accepted version of the tale says that the sweet, sticky molasses in the pie would attract flies to pies when they were set out to cool. To keep the flies off the pies, the bakers would “shoo” the pests away, hence the name, Shoofly Pie.
A boxing mule and a branded connection
Another version of the story involves “Shoofly the Boxing Mule.” Shoofly, as the story goes, was a mule who traveled with the circus around Pennsylvania. He was trained to don boxing gloves and step into the ring to face off against local horses. A molasses brand was named after the mule. Molasses being the main ingredient in the pie led to people making the connection between the mule and the pie.
Recipe Development
There are two popular types of Shoofly Pie – wet bottom and dry bottom.
Wet Bottom Shoofly Pie
Wet bottom shoofly pie is traditionally the more popular variety. This version of the pie has a gooey texture, consistent with custard. The top of the cake is covered in crumbs and has a cake-like texture. The molasses syrup filling drips to the bottom and mixes with the other ingredients to form the crust.
Dry Bottom Shoofly Pie
Dry bottom pie, while not as popular, is equally delicious. The pie has a more cake-like consistency, resulting from being baked for a longer time and the inclusion of a larger amount of flour and sugar, which are combined to form the streusel crumbs.
The Shady Maple Way
At Shady Maple, we make our Shoofly pie with a wet bottom. The top is layered with a generous covering of crumb topping, and the filling combines molasses, water, flour, and spices to create a smooth consistency and flavor.
Ingredients include:
- Patent Flour
- High Gluten Flour
- Hymo
- Dynamax
- Sugar
- Salt
- Yeast
- Water
- Apples
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Starch
- Margarine
- Cinnamon
Visit the Shady Maple Farm Market to stock up on these ingredients to try your hand at baking this delicious dessert. Strapped for time? Stop by the bakery and grab one of our pre-baked pies. Either way, your friends and family will thank you.
Celebrating the Role of Shoofly Pie in Pennsylvania Dutch Culture
Today, Shoofly Pie is a staple at church events, family gatherings, community celebrations, and other events.
Across Pennsylvania, and up and down the east coast as the tradition spreads, at fairs, farm shows, and contests, people honor the history of shoofly pie. Bakeoffs are held, winners proudly hoist trophies in the air, news outlets boast about local bakers taking home the top prize.
People fondly reminisce about grandma’s recipe. The sweet aroma wafting from the kitchen and the anticipation of that first bite instantly brings us back. We try to replicate the flavor, sometimes succeeding, and other times, missing the mark.
A permanent resident at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord dessert station, hungry visitors come from miles around to enjoy a slice of our wet bottom shoofly pie. The lure of the tradition, the gooey filling, the connection to local culture, all draw people from across the country to savor the experience.
A flavor-packed place in our hearts
Shoofly pie holds a special place in the hearts of Pennsylvanians, travelers, historians, and sweet tooths everywhere. Each gooey bite creates new memories and ignites the senses, bringing old memories rushing back.
Whether you are discovering shoofly pie for the first time, or it has been a part of your life for as long as you can remember, we invite you to visit Shady Maple to experience our take on this classic dessert.
