Name: Copycat Marden's Whoopie Pies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 57 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (use Dutch-processed for deeper flavor); 1½ teaspoons baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup buttermilk (room temp); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup butter (unsalted, softened); 1 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 large egg; 1 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco); 1½ cups powdered sugar; 2 cups Marshmallow Fluff; 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 tablespoons milk (, add more if needed for consistency)

If you ever stopped by a Marden’s in Maine, you probably remember those glorious whoopie pies stacked near the checkout line—**massive, moist, and packed with fluffy filling. They weren’t just good for store-bought—they were legendary.

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Growing up, Marden’s in Maine was famous for having some of the best store-bought whoopie pies—massive, moist, and packed with that nostalgic, rich, creamy filling.

While the exact original recipe used by their supplier isn’t publicly available (likely sourced from a local Maine bakery or commercial provider), I decided to reverse-engineer a copycat Marden’s-style Whoopie Pie that’s pretty darn close based on taste, texture, and size.

This copycat recipe brings back that nostalgic taste in a from-scratch version that’s incredibly close to the original.Here’s a classic Maine-style whoopie pie recipe that mimics the Marden’s version—thick, soft cakes with a fluffy marshmallow-based filling:

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💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🛒 Ingredient Notes
👩‍🍳 How to Make Marden’s Whoopie Pies Here
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
💡 Expert Tips
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🎨 Recipe Variations & Substitutions
📦 Storage Tips
📝 Printable Recipe Card
🛒 Walmart Grocery List

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Nostalgic Flavor: Tastes just like the legendary whoopie pies from Marden’s in Maine—rich, cakey, and perfectly sweet.
Oversized & Impressive: Big, bakery-style whoopie pies that look as good as they taste.
Budget-Friendly: Costs just 42¢ to 63¢ per pie to make—way cheaper than store-bought!
Fluffy Filling: Made with marshmallow Fluff for that authentic, thick, creamy texture that holds up beautifully.
Make Ahead Magic: Wrap and rest overnight for maximum flavor—just like the packaged original.
Customizable: Try it with peanut butter, maple, or chocolate chip filling for fun variations!

🧁 Copycat Marden’s Whoopie Pies Recipe

When it comes to iconic Maine recipes, a few classics always come to mind—lobster rolls, blueberry pie, clam chowder, Amato’s Italians and of course, the beloved whoopie pie.

🍫 For the Chocolate Cakes:

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (use Dutch-processed for deeper flavor)
1½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk (room temp)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg

🥄 Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
Scoop large, rounded tablespoons of batter (or use a 1/4 cup for oversized Marden’s style) onto baking sheets, spacing apart.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until cakes spring back when touched.
Let cool completely before filling.

☁️ For the Marshmallow Filling (Marden’s Style):

1 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1½ cups powdered sugar
2 cups Marshmallow Fluff
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1–2 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)

🥄 Instructions:

Beat shortening until fluffy.
Add powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth.
Add Marshmallow Fluff and vanilla, beat until fully combined. Add milk if needed to reach spreadable consistency.
Pipe or spread filling onto the flat side of one cake, top with another.

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🍪 Yield:

About 8 giant Marden’s-sized pies or 12–14 standard-sized.

💡 Pro Tips:

For a true Marden’s copycat texture, wrap each whoopie pie tightly in plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature overnight. This allows the cake to absorb a bit of moisture from the filling—just like the originals in the package.
For evenly shaped tops, use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop.
Freeze individually wrapped pies for up to 2 months.

📦 Storage Instructions:

Room Temp: Wrapped tightly, up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Up to 5 days (bring to room temp before eating).
Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil; freeze for up to 2 months.

🌀 Variations & Add-Ins:

Swap out vanilla extract for maple extract for a fall-inspired twist
Add mini chocolate chips to the filling for texture
Make a s’mores version by adding crushed graham crackers to the center
Use colored Fluff (like strawberry or chocolate) for themed whoopie pies
Use Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie filling instead

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💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown Homemade Copycat Mardens Whoopie Pie

(May 2025 – Walmart/Aldi Pricing)

Ingredient	Amount Used	Full Package Size	Full Package Price	Used Cost
All-purpose flour	2 cups (9 oz)	5 lb (80 oz)	$2.24	$0.25
Unsweetened cocoa powder	½ cup (1.5 oz)	8 oz	$2.29	$0.43
Baking soda	1½ tsp	8 oz	$0.72	$0.02
Baking powder	½ tsp	8 oz	$0.99	$0.01
Salt	½ tsp	26 oz	$0.54	$0.01
Buttermilk	1 cup	1 qt	$1.24	$0.31
Vanilla extract	2½ tsp total	2 oz	$2.49	$0.52
Unsalted butter	½ cup (1 stick)	1 lb (4 sticks)	$3.58	$0.90
Brown sugar	1 cup	32 oz	$1.98	$0.25
Egg	1 large	dozen	$1.18	$0.10
Shortening (Crisco)	1 cup	48 oz	$3.64	$0.61
Powdered sugar	1½ cups	32 oz	$1.64	$0.30
Marshmallow Fluff	2 cups (7 oz)	7.5 oz jar	$1.38	$1.29
Milk (optional)	2 tbsp	1 gal (128 oz)	$2.38	$0.04

🧾 Total Used Cost: $5.04

(For approx. 12 standard whoopie pies or 8 large Marden’s-style pies)

💲 Cost Per Serving:

Standard (12 pies): $0.42 each
Oversized Marden’s-style (8 pies): $0.63 each

🛒 Grab & Go: Your Complete Copycat Marden’s Whoopie Pies Grocery Checklist ✅

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These cost estimates make it clear that you can enjoy bakery-style whoopie pies at home for under 65¢ each—a fraction of what you’d pay in-store or at a specialty bakery.

Tried this recipe? Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101

📌 Love this Easy Homemade Marden’s Whoopie Pie Recipe? Pin it!

🖨️ Print-Friendly Marden’s Whoopie Pies Recipe

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Marden’s Whoopie Pies

Can I use butter instead of shortening in the filling?
You can, but it will change the texture and shelf life. Shortening gives the filling that thick, fluffy, stable consistency like the original Marden’s pies. Butter will make it softer and more prone to melting.

Do I have to wrap the whoopie pies in plastic wrap overnight?
Yes—if you want that signature soft, moist texture. Wrapping them overnight allows the cake and filling to meld just like the original store-bought version.

Can I freeze whoopie pies?
Absolutely! Wrap each pie tightly in plastic wrap, then foil or place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Can I make them smaller or into mini whoopie pies?
Yes! Use a tablespoon scoop for minis and reduce the bake time to 7–8 minutes. They’re perfect for parties or lunchbox treats.

What if I don’t have Marshmallow Fluff?
You can substitute with a homemade marshmallow filling or use marshmallow creme, but the texture may be slightly looser. Fluff gives the most authentic result.

Can I make the filling peanut butter flavored?
Yes! Swap the marshmallow filling with our creamy peanut butter filling variation above—it’s rich, sweet, and perfect with the chocolate cakes.

Do I need to refrigerate them?
Not immediately. They’re safe at room temp for 2–3 days if wrapped. For longer storage, refrigerate (up to 5 days) or freeze.

Copycat Marden’s Whoopie Pies – Iconic Maine Treat You Can Make at Home

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe