A Pennsylvania Dutch dessert staple marries the crust of a crumb cake with fluffy molasses, to make the iconic Shoofly pie, writes Jen Peng for Tasting Table.  

The pie’s origin is as rich as its fillings, believed to have been the offspring of the “centennial cake” which was created during the 100^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The pie crust was added in place of utensils. 

 With a delicious delicacy like shoo-fly, many may wonder how it got its odd name.  

Author Patricia Brunning Stevens touts the theory that the name came about when the pies cool and pools of molasses form, attracting flies which the bakers would have to “shoo away.”  

But since the pie is made in the winter, it may not actually attract flies.  

According to food historian William Woys Weaver, the pie’s name comes from Shoofly the Boxing Mule, a traveling circus act.  

Many products were named after the mule, which most likely got its name from a popular folk song called “Shoo, Fly, Don’t Bother Me!”  

The song includes the very fitting lyrics: “the angels pouring ‘lasses down,” with ‘lasses being short for molasses.”  

Read more about the Pennsylvania Dutch origins of Shoofly pie on Tasting Table.  

Unique Susquehanna Valley foods: Shoofly pie