Washington pie facts for kids

Washington pie is a tasty dessert from the United States. Even though it's called a "pie," it's actually a type of cake! The first recipes for this dessert appeared in the 1850s. Some people think it might be an older version of the famous Boston cream pie.

What is Washington Pie?

The original Washington pie was like a sandwich cake. It had two layers of light, fluffy sponge cake. Between these layers, there was a sweet filling of jam or jelly. Raspberry jam was a popular choice, but other kinds of jelly worked too.

How it Changed Over Time

Over the years, Washington pie changed. It later became known as a cake filled with creamy pastry cream. This version was often covered in chocolate. This is similar to how Boston cream pie looks today.

Special Touches

Sometimes, extra flavors were added to the cake. These could include a splash of kirsch (a fruit brandy flavor) or rosewater. Rosewater gives a lovely floral scent. For a fancy look, powdered sugar was sprinkled on top. Sometimes, a lace doily was used to create a pretty pattern with the sugar.

Modern Versions

Today, you might find different versions of Washington pie. Some modern recipes use a vanilla cream filling. They might also add cherry pie filling and whipped cream on top.

Where Was it Sold?

In the past, you could buy slices of Washington pie at market stalls. One famous place was the Northern Liberty Market in Mount Vernon Square. This market was a busy place where people bought food and goods. It was taken down in 1872 by order of Alexander Robey Shepherd.

Another Kind of Washington Pie

There was also a different version of Washington pie. This one was more like a true pie. It was made using pieces of leftover cake. These cake pieces were soaked in cream. Then, raisins and spices were added. This mix was baked inside a pastry crust. This version was always made in square pans.

Its Reputation

This pie-like version was served in fancy hotels. It was also found in boarding houses in the Northeastern United States. Bakers sold a lot of it. During the American Civil War, this version became less popular. Some bakers started using very old bread to make it. This made people think it wasn't very good quality.

A Fourth of July Treat

Washington pie was a part of special celebrations. In 1856, it was served at a Fourth of July party in Decatur, Nebraska. The Fourth of July is a big holiday in the U.S. In 1901, Washington pie was even suggested as a dessert for a Fourth of July party for young ladies.

Different Cake Bases

A newspaper article from 1934 mentioned another way to make the cake layers. The Detroit Free Press said that cottage pudding could be used. This was instead of the usual sponge cake.