Skip to site content
Group Travel Leader Group Travel Leader Group Travel Leader

Just Desserts

Boston Cream Pie

Massachusetts

Food historians debate the origin of the Boston cream pie, which first came to prominence in the 19th century. But no matter who created it or whether it even came from Boston, this dessert has become a staple throughout Massachusetts. The classic Boston cream pie is rather a cake that has been layered with pastry cream and covered with chocolate fondant. Groups can enjoy the treat at the Omni Parker House in Boston, one of the sites that lays claim to the origin of Boston cream pie.

Blueberry Pie

Maine

Maine designated blueberry pie as its official state dessert in 2011, and for good reason: Maine is famous for its blueberries, especially the intensely flavorful “wild” blueberries that grow exceptionally well in its climate. These berries tend to make Maine’s blueberry pies distinct from fruit pies found in other parts of the country. Travelers can see what all the fuss is about by sampling authentic blueberry pie at the Maine Diner in Wells, Dysart’s in Hermon or any of the Governor’s Restaurant and Bakery locations scattered throughout the state.

Kuchen

South Dakota

Bake sweet dough into a round crust, then fill the middle with custard. Top the custard with a few pieces of fruit, such as prunes, peaches, blueberries and apples, and you’ll have kuchen, the official state dessert of South Dakota. This dish is attributed to the area’s Scandinavian and German roots — “kuchen” means “cake” in German — and is celebrated each September in the town of Delmont at the Kuchen Festival. Groups can try the dessert any time of year at Pietz’s Kuchen Kitchen in the town of Scotland.

Brian Jewell

Brian Jewell is the executive editor of The Group Travel Leader. In more than a decade of travel journalism he has visited 48 states and 25 foreign countries.