The Whoopie Pie. I know… it’s not really a new dessert at all, but I think it is about to hit the event market with a big bang! I personally enjoy the traditional Amish version: classic chocolate cakes with it’s little pillow of marshmallow cream filling oozing from the sides. But, here at EVOKE we like to think outside of the box. Take something you know and love and take it to the next level, make it exciting and special!  How about a “Make Your Own Whoopie Pie” Bar. Choose your cakes, choose your fillings and off you go! Add some sprinkles, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped nuts and kosher salt for an extra added flare!  Or maybe you introduce this typically sweet treat during your cocktail hour with a savory version instead… I can’t think of any man that wouldn’t love a Jalapeno Cornbread Whoopie Pie with Bacon and Chive Goat Cheese filling.

Whatever you choose to put you in a happy place, whether it’s sweet or savory or a little of both, I hope you enjoy playing with your food as much as we do. Try some of our favorite combinations!

SWEET WHOOPIE!
- Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Cake with a Cinnamon Maple Filling
- Mocha Whoopie Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache Filling
- Vanilla Whoopie Cake with Orange Cream and Marmalade Filling

SAVOR THE WHOOP!
- Banana Whoopie Cake with Salted Peanut Butter filling layered with crispy bacon
- Oatmeal Whoopie Cake with Maple-Bacon filling
- Cornbread Whoopie with Classic Buttercream filling drizzled with honey

To appease our adult wishes and childrens’ alike we designed two parties. The first was a formal Kiddush luncheon featuring  rustic dark wooden farm tables with runners of cast iron urns, clay and terracotta pots, river rocks, flag stone, feathers and hand blown glass and mosaic votives mixed with traditional round tables with a similar but more compact version of the runners. We kept it fun and whimsical for the kids with one long sharing table. Three large umbrellas gave the illusion of a “kids space”, coordinating paper lanterns and twinkle lights carried our rustic garden theme and one long runner of brightly colored bud vases with white gerbera daisies made the kids table less serious but still elegant.

photos courtesy of Andrew Harnik Photography

For the night time party we were able to re-invent our umbrellas by adding casual and colorful bistro tables for seating and using the daisies as centerpieces. We kept the farm tables for adult seating as well, but removed the slate, feathers and votives and punched up the fun factor by adding the brightly colored bud vases with the gerbers and bear grass. The focus of the evening was the dancing and the fun. Lighting was a major help in transforming the space from rustic, garden elegance of the luncheon to a fun, funky and fabulous night time kids party!

-DC