Moon Pie

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Quick Bite

A Moon Pie is a Chattanooga-born snack cake made with marshmallow sandwiched between graham cookies and covered in a flavored coating. It is sweet, soft, old-fashioned, and famously happy beside an RC Cola.

History

Moon Pies were created by Chattanooga Bakery in 1917. The best-known origin story says a traveling salesman asked a Kentucky coal miner what kind of snack he wanted, and the miner requested something filling and “as big as the moon.” That idea came back to Chattanooga, and the Moon Pie was born.

The snack became popular because it was affordable, portable, and filling. At a nickel, it offered workers, schoolchildren, and travelers a sweet treat with enough heft to feel like more than just candy. By the late 1920s, Chattanooga Bakery was producing them in large numbers.

Moon Pies became especially beloved across the South, where the pairing with RC Cola became a cultural classic. The combo was cheap, satisfying, and easy to find at country stores, gas stations, lunch counters, and vending machines.

Today, Moon Pies come in several flavors and sizes, but the classic chocolate version still carries the strongest nostalgia. It is not fancy pastry. It is Southern snack history in a waxy wrapper, and that is exactly the charm.

Fun Facts

• Moon Pies were created in Chattanooga in 1917.
• The classic pairing is Moon Pie and RC Cola.
• Moon Pies have been made in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, and more.

Where to Try

Chattanooga Bakery / MoonPie General Store Chattanooga, Tennessee
The hometown source for MoonPie history, gifts, and all things MoonPie.

MoonPie General Store Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
A Tennessee shop dedicated to MoonPies, Southern snacks, and nostalgic sweets.

Country stores and gas stations across Tennessee Statewide, Tennessee
Moon Pies are at their most natural when bought from a roadside store and eaten with an RC Cola.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Moon Pie-Style Treats Makes: 12 small pies Prep: 30 minutes Cook: 8 to 10 minutes Difficulty: Medium Style: Tennessee / Chattanooga Snack Cake

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 egg

For the filling and coating:

• 1 jar marshmallow crème
• 16 ounces milk chocolate or chocolate candy coating
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening, optional

Instructions

1. Heat the oven: Heat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: Mix the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream the butter mixture: Beat the butter, brown sugar, and honey until creamy.
4. Add the egg: Add the egg and mix well.
5. Make the dough: Stir in the dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
6. Shape the cookies: Roll or scoop the dough into small rounds and flatten slightly.
7. Bake: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool completely.
8. Add the filling: Spread marshmallow crème on half the cookies.
9. Make sandwiches: Top with the remaining cookies to make sandwiches.
10. Melt the coating: Melt the chocolate with coconut oil or shortening if using.
11. Dip: Dip each sandwich in chocolate and place on parchment.
12. Set: Let set before serving.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, keep the structure simple: graham-style cookies, marshmallow filling, and chocolate coating. Serve with RC Cola for the full Southern snack-counter feeling.

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