Tennessee is home to some of the tastiest treats this side of the Mississippi. We have the Volunteer State to thank for Goo Goo Clusters, Nashville hot chicken, Memphis-style barbecue and Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. You can also add Moon Pies to the list!
What Is a Moon Pie?
A Moon Pie is a packaged snack consisting of marshmallow creme sandwiched between graham cookies. The whole thing is then dipped in chocolate, which makes this treat very similar to a s’more in terms of flavor.
Moon Pies are made in Chattanooga, Tennessee and are popular throughout the South. These cookies first came onto the scene back in 1917 when a coal miner told a Chattanooga Bakery salesman that he’d like a snack as big as the moon. Soon after, the bakery started to produce the treat we know and love, according to MoonPie.
Our Moon Pie Recipe
This Moon Pie recipe, an amazing copycat recipe, comes to us from Community Cook Shawn Barto. Shawn says, “my husband loved Moon Pies when he was a child and he loves this homemade version.”
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 jar marshmallow creme
- 3 packages (10 ounces each) chocolate chips
Directions
Step 1: Make the cookie dough
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Start by creaming together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 5 to 7 minutes. Once fully combined, scrape down the side of the bowl and then add in the egg, molasses, honey and vanilla extract. Beat again until well mixed.
In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed ingredients.
Divide the dough in half. Press each portion into a disk and wrap tightly before refrigerating for an hour, or up to overnight.
Step 2: Roll out the dough
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Next, it’s time to grab your rolling pin. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough out until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. Cut with a 2-inch round cookie cutter.
Place the cookies on a sheet pan leaving about two inches between each round. Bake at 350ºF for 9 to 11 minutes or until the cookies are just set and slightly golden around the edges.
Remove the cookies from the pan and allow them to cool on a wire rack completely.
Step 3: Fill with marshmallow creme
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
When the cookies are totally cooled, it’s time to layer on this cookie’s signature ingredient: marshmallow creme.
Spread a tablespoon of marshmallow fluff onto half of the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies. Once assembled, chill the cookies in the freezer until the filling is set—about an hour.
Step 4: Coat with chocolate
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
The last step is coating these homemade Moon Pies with chocolate. You can melt chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler. Use your favorite brand of chocolate chips here.
Dip each sandwich cookie into the melted chocolate—be sure to dunk the whole thing! Then set the cookies onto a wire rack so the excess chocolate can drip away. Move the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until set.
Editor’s Tip: Because this Moon Pie recipe yields about 40 cookies, you will want to melt the chocolate in batches. This will allow you to dip cookies without the chocolate seizing up or getting hard.
How to Serve Moon Pies
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Moon Pies are delicious on their own or with a cold glass of milk. You can even use Moon Pies to create other treats like this Moon Pie pie.
However, many Southerners will tell you that there’s no better match for a Moon Pie than an RC Cola. These two sweets became known as a “working man’s lunch” in the 1950s since the duo could be purchased for just 10 cents. The combo gained further acclaim thanks to the song “Gimme An RC Cola and a Moon Pie” by Bill Lister. Today, you can even attend a festival dedicated to this treat in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
No matter which way you want to enjoy a Moon Pie—homemade or store-bought—we’re certain that you’ll enjoy its s’mores-like flavor and gooey marshmallow center.
Try More Southern-Style Sweets
Hummingbird CakeThis impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Cola Cake with Strawberries & CreamWe Southerners have been eating cola cake for decades. This easy version has strawberries too. Chill it in the fridge for a dreamy summer dessert. —Peggy Walpert, Fort Worth, Texas
Southern Bourbon Pecan PieWhen I first made the original recipe for this bourbon-splashed pie, I added some vanilla extract and eliminated the flour. We loved the result. —Paul Falduto, Efland, North Carolina
Cream Cheese Sheet CakeThis tender, buttery cream cheese cake with a thin layer of fudge frosting is perfect for a crowd. It's always popular at potlucks and parties. It's not uncommon to see folks going back for second and even third pieces. —Gaye Mann, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Down South Sweet Tea CakeI think this recipe combines two of the best and most famous ingredients from the South: sweet tea and pecans! Using a cake mix simplifies prep and helps ease the holiday time crunch. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Mississippi Mud CakeThis cake features a fudgy brownielike base topped with marshmallow creme and a nutty frosting. Serve big slices with glasses of cold milk or steaming mugs of coffee. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky
Butterscotch PieThis pie's filling is like creamy pudding and is crowned with golden peaks of meringue. —Cary Letsche, Brandenton, Florida
New Orleans BeignetsThese sweet French doughnuts, inspired by the ones found in Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, are square instead of round and have no hole in the middle. They're a traditional part of breakfast in New Orleans. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana
Key Lime PieWe created this refreshing mini pie with a homemade crumb crust and a pudding-like lime filling. If you can’t find Key lime juice, regular lime juice works just fine. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Banana Skillet Upside-Down CakeMy grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
Best Red Velvet CakeIt's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvet cake recipes I’ve had; the icing is as light as snow. —Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
French Silk PieI first made French silk pie when I was in high school. Years later, I tinkered with the recipe until I was happy with it. Now it’s one of my husband's favorites. —Lisa Francis, Elba, Alabama
Bananas Foster SundaesI have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat. —Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina
Butter Pecan Layer CakePecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida
Butterscotch-Pecan Bread PuddingBread pudding fans just might hoard this yummy butterscotch version. Toppings like whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle make this dessert absolutely irresistible. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Banana PuddingI didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia
Southern Lane CakeI just love this southern-style dessert, and so do dinner guests. With pecans, cherries and raisins in the filling and topping, this version reminds me of a fruitcake—only so much better! —Mabel Parvi, Ridgefield, Washington
Chocolate Chess PieThis is one of my mother's go-to recipes. It's a yummy spin on classic chocolate chess pie. — Ann Dickens, Nixa, Missouri
Pecan Strawberry Rhubarb CobblerChock-full of berries and rhubarb, this pretty cobbler is the perfect finale for a dinner for two. Pecans in the topping and the delicious dessert sauce make it extra special. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Old-Time Buttermilk PieMy mother and grandmother made this pie with buttermilk and eggs from our farm and set it on the tables at church meetings and social gatherings. I did the same, and now our children make it too! —Kate Mathews, Shreveport, Louisiana
Lemon Curd CheesecakeThis creamy lemon cheesecake has a lovely soft texture and cuts nicely. The curd adds a fresh, tangy flavor. —Becky West, Statesboro, Georgia
Dark Chocolate PuddingLife is too short to pass on dessert. This old-fashioned treat is so creamy and comforting! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Milk CakeThis is a simple recipe—and especially easy in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The result is a deliciously light, airy cake. —Suzanne Coelman, Rabun Gap, Georgia
Georgia Peach Ice CreamMy state is well known for growing amazing peaches. This ice cream has been a family favorite for more than 50 years! —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Sour Cream Chocolate CakeImpressive to look at but easy to make, this cake is a good old-fashioned "Sunday supper" dessert that melts in your mouth. —Marsha Lawson, Pflugerville, Texas
Frozen Key Lime DelightIn the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it tastes like sunshine. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Southern Peach Upside-Down CakeA dear friend from the South gave me the idea for this peachy cake. I add bourbon and top each slice with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. —Trista Jefferson, Batavia, Ohio
Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime PieSummer is peak season for Key limes—a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow layer on top. This makes it stand out as a crowd favorite. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
Pineapple Orange CakeThis is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina
Peach PieI acquired this delicious peach pie filling recipe some 40 years ago, when my husband and I first moved to southern Iowa and had peach trees growing in our backyard. It's been a family favorite since then and always brings back memories of both summer and those happy early years. — June Mueller, Sioux City, Iowa
Pink Velvet CupcakesMy daughter loves all things pink, so this recipe was just right for her birthday. Even my teenage son (not a fan of pink) ate his share, too. —Paulette Smith, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Grits PieSimple, southern and scrumptious, this pie will be a definite hit even with people who dislike grits. It has the perfect custardy texture.—Victoria Hudson, Pickens, South Carolina
Hazelnut Cake SquaresWhen one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, she asks me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn't need icing, so it's perfect for bake sales too. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Buttermilk Peach Ice CreamMy mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I currently live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Bourbon Chocolate Pecan PieWhen my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. We can't get enough of this recipe inspired by Kentucky Derby bourbon chocolate pecan pie. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North Carolina
Chocolate Chip BarsPeople are always surprised when I tell them these chocolate chip bars come from the microwave. Chockfull of chocolate chips, the bars are especially good served with a big glass of cold milk. —Shirley A. Glaab, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Grilled Peach SundaesThese peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Mississippi Mud PieThis southern favorite is one my family can never get enough of, and there are never any leftovers. My grandmother, mother and aunts always made this dish for family gatherings. Now I make it for just about every event because it's so easy to prepare, and everyone loves it! —Elizabeth Williston, Thibodaux, Louisiana
Mom's Citrus Buttermilk CakeEveryone raves over this lovely lemon cake. It's divine with fresh raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump CakeNo matter the season, this dump cake recipe is wonderful! It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Lemon Chess PieThis bright and creamy lemon chess pie cuts beautifully and has a smooth texture. It’s one of my favorites. —Hannah LaRue Rider, East Point, Kentucky
Amaretto Cake with Buttercream FrostingI came up with this amaretto cake recipe because I was craving something that tasted like wedding cake. The texture is similar to pound cake, which is exactly what I wanted. Everyone who tastes it LOVES it. —Megan Dudash, Youngsville, North Carolina
Snickerdoodle CheesecakeMy maternal grandmother preferred sewing and quilting to cooking and baking, but there were some things that she cooked and baked really well. She was the only person I knew who made snickerdoodles, simple but yummy cookies that I've always enjoyed. Since cheesecake is my very favorite dessert, I couldn't resist coming up with one that re-creates those flavors. I think of my grandmother each time I make it! Sometimes I'll drizzle the slices with maple syrup. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Southern Bourbon Pecan PieWhen I first made the original recipe for this bourbon-splashed pie, I added some vanilla extract and eliminated the flour. We loved the result. —Paul Falduto, Efland, North Carolina
Decadent Fudge CakeEveryone loves the rich flavor in this decadent cake made with four types of chocolate. —Anna Hogge, Yorktown, Virginia
Creamy Pineapple PieCreamy pineapple pie is a light and refreshing dessert that's quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Chewy Pecan Pie BarsThis treat is one of my husband's favorites. I've been making these bars for many years, and we still can't get enough. I never mind making this recipe—it's about as easy as baking can be! —Judy Taylor, Shreveport, Louisiana
Texas Pecan PralinesMy pecan praline recipe is special to me for I received it from my mother, who was an excellent cook! I also am a Texas Aggie Mom and I use pecans from a South Texas Aggie grower that our Aggie Mom's club has purchased from for many years. The quality is outstanding and far better than you will find in any grocery store. —Carol Jones, Blue Ridge, Texas
Sweet Potato PieThis creamy sweet potato pie is subtly spiced and slices beautifully! We suggest baking up a few sweet potato pies around the holidays to give to friends and family. — North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission
