Iconic Desserts From Every State You Must Try

Made with or without meringue topping, sour cream and raisin pies are a Kansas specialty introduced by European immigrants.

Kentucky is the world’s bourbon capital, so it’s no surprise that a famous dessert from the state would have bourbon. Bourbon balls are a no-bake dessert made by dipping bourbon-soaked nuts in chocolate. They were first created by Ruth Booe during the Prohibition era.

Louisiana is known for many treats, including beignets. Few people may be aware that Bananas Foster — a dessert made from bananas and vanilla ice cream, topped with a sauce made from butter, sugar, rum, banana liqueur, and cinnamon — was created in New Orleans in 1951.

Whoopie pies are a Maine staple. There are several theories about the dessert’s origins. According to Farmers’ Almanac, the first commercially produced whoopie pies were sold in Lewiston, Maine, in 1925 (or 1918).

Smith Island cake has been Maryland’s official state dessert since 2008. Locals call the treat “layer cake.” It consists of eight to 10 layers of yellow cake with chocolate frosting in between. Some recipes even have 12 layers.