Our Moon Pie recipe might just be better than the original Tennessee treat!
How to Make a Homemade Moon Pie
Updated on Oct. 04, 2024
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
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
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
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
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
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
1 / 49
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
Coca-Cola CakeOur coca-cola cake recipe uses not one but two cans of everyone's favorite soda. Move over, mayonnaise! Cola is our new favorite ingredient for an irresistible chocolate cake with an amazing chocolaty glaze.
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
White Texas Sheet CakeThis classic white Texas sheet cake is delicious, and surprisingly quick and easy to make. You won't even need to wait for the cake to cool completely before icing it!
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 butterscotch pie is here to prove that butterscotch isn’t just for Grandma and Grandpa.
BeignetsThe Big Easy is known for its fresh, doughy beignets. Here is our recipe for making these iconic doughnuts at home.
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 Recipes 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
Red Velvet CakeOur red velvet cake recipe is traditionally southern with light, tender, ruby-red cakes held together with a rich vanilla frosting.
French Silk PieFrench silk pie combines the light texture of chocolate mousse with the delicate crunch of flaky pastry in every bite.
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 CakeThis irresistible butter pecan cake features multiple layers, plenty of toasted buttery pecan crunch and a thick layer of buttercream frosting. In a word, it's delicious. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or maple ice cream to complement this decadent southern dessert.
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 PuddingThis banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers tastes just like Grandma's: creamy, simple, comforting and filled with sweet banana flavor.
Lane Cake>What’s the most sumptuous, indulgent cake you can bake for your guests? The answer is Lane Cake, a southern classic with a rich history and even richer filling. This Lane Cake recipe takes some planning and patience, but it’s all worth it in the end.
Chocolate Chess PieChocolate chess pie is all the gooey yumminess of chocolate pecan pie, without the pecans!
Rhubarb Strawberry CobblerMom's yummy cobbler is a truly wonderful finale to any meal. This family favorite is sweet and tart, chock-full of berries and rhubarb, and the thick crust is so easy to make. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington
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
Chocolate PuddingBring your favorite childhood lunchbox treat to life with this rich and decadent homemade chocolate pudding recipe.
Hot Milk CakeTravel back in time with this easy, old-fashioned hot milk cake recipe. Moist and tender, like a sponge cake and pound cake hybrid, it's the perfect snacking cake!
Peach Ice CreamEnjoy the sweet, fresh flavors of peaches in this contest-winning peach ice cream. Ideal for hot summer days, it’s a refreshing treat the whole family will love.
Sour Cream Chocolate Cake
Sour cream chocolate cake boasting a rich, velvety texture and deep, delectable chocolate flavor. The addition of sour cream adds extra fat, resulting in an incredibly moist and tender crumb. Topped with homemade frosting that perfectly balances tangy and sweet, this cake is a true treat.
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
Peach Upside-Down CakeGet ready to flip for this peach upside-down cake! It's easier than you think to prepare, and when it's finished it will look just as good as you'd hoped.
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
Pig Pickin’ CakeA pig pickin’ cake is a southern delight that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
Peach PieOur peach pie recipe features a spiced peach filling nestled inside two buttery, flaky crusts. It’s a delicious and traditional summer treat that stands beautifully in its simplicity, because why change perfection?
Pink CupcakesPretty in pink is the best description for these pink cupcakes—and not just the frosting. The cake is also pink!
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
Chocolate Pecan PieInspired by Derby Pie and the beloved Thanksgiving pie, our chocolate pecan pie recipe is irresistible.
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 PieMississippi mud pie is a classic, crowd-pleasing dessert. With a little help from boxed pudding mix and frozen whipped topping, it's ready in a flash without any fuss.
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
Slow-Cooker Dump CakeOur crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!
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 CakeThis Italy-inspired amaretto cake might look like a bakery confection, but you can make it at home. Decorating the top with candies and nuts only enhances the special-occasion feel.
Snickerdoodle CheesecakeSnickerdoodle cheesecake has the signature tangy softness of snickerdoodle cookies but in the form of a rich, cinnamon-flavored cheesecake.
Bourbon Pecan PieBourbon pecan pie is so easy, you'll wonder why you haven't been making it all your life. Serve during the holidays, or any time of year, with fresh whipped cream or ice cream.
Chocolate Fudge CakeChocolate fudge cake is the cure for any chocolate lover's sweet tooth and a staple in baking 101. Here's how to make it at home.
Pineapple PieThis creamy pineapple pie uses canned fruit and whipped cream to create a rich, sweet filling that sits atop a flavorful graham cracker crust. It takes less than 10 minutes to make and will shine on any dessert spread.
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
Pecan PralinesThese pecan pralines melt in your mouth and deliver buttery and sweet flavors. They are a hybrid cookie-candy confection and filled with crunchy nuts.
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
