These cookies are a relatively new invention, first appearing about 30–35 years ago. Said one grandmother in her mid-50s, “I don’t remember whoopie pies as a little girl, but I do know they were around before we were married. Probably someone just made them up!” Another grandmother in her late 50s knew of them “just since we’re married, and that not in the first years.” These individual cakes are well suited to lunch-box travel and food stands at farm sales. The icing is spread between the two cookie halves so it doesn’t rub off when wrapped, as cupcake icing does. The original—and still most commonly made—whoopie pie is chocolate. Oatmeal and pumpkin variations have developed more recently.