Moon Pies
88 comments » 
While I was doing some research for the jambalaya that I made earlier this week, I also came to find out that Moon Pies are a very traditional part of Mardi Gras. Having never been in New Orleans for the celebration, I had no idea. As it turns out, Moon Pies are typically thrown from the parade floats out to the crowd. Believe it or not, I’ve never eaten a moon pie. I see them in the store all the time, but for some reason it has just never occurred to me to try one. Since I’m on a bit of a Mardi Gras roll here, I thought it would only be fitting to include some homemade moon pies in the celebration. While the traditional moon pies have two cookies with marshmallow filling in the middle, the ones I saw at the store (research!) were all double-deckers – cookie, marshmallow, cookie, marshmallow, cookie. Covered in chocolate. I decided to go the all-in, double-decker route. Shocking, I know 
These are actually pretty easy to make; it just takes some time getting all of the pieces together. The cookies are basically a sugar cookie made with all brown sugar instead of white, so they have a little bit of a sweeter flavor. The marshmallow filling is homemade, which I LOVE! You do use uncooked egg whites that are warmed up with the boiled corn syrup but if you are nervous about the eggs, I would encourage you to buy pasteurized eggs. I can usually always find them at the grocery store. And then of course the chocolate coating. I just spooned the melted chocolate over the cookies a couple of times so that it ran down the sides and covered most of the cookie. I love the ones where I can see cookie and marshmallow peeking out!
I absolutely adore these cookies. At first I thought the marshmallow filling may be too sweet when I tasted it by itself, but it’s perfect when melded together with the cookies and chocolate. I think these should be an everyday type of treat, not just a Mardi Gras treat. I’m going to start campaigning now 
One year ago: Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Moon Pies
Yield: About 18 double-decker moon pies
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon saltFor the Marshmallow Filling:
2 egg whites
Pinch cream of tartar
Pinch salt
2/3 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar, siftedFor the Chocolate Coating:
12 ounces semisweet chocolate
¼ cup vegetable oilDirections:
1. To Make the Cookies: With a mixer on medium speed, beat the butter until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and beat at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, add the egg and the vanilla extract, and beat to combine. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour and the salt, and mix just until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in two, shape into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line at least two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside. Working with one disk at a time, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2½-inch diameter round cutter, cut out the rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about ½ an inch apart. Refrigerate the cookies (on the baking sheets) for 10 minutes.
3. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool on the pans for a couple of minutes, and then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
4. To Make the Marshmallow Filling: Using a mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the the egg whites with the cream of tartar and the salt until firm peaks form, gradually increasing from medium-low speed to medium-high speed as the egg whites gain volume. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, boil the corn syrup over high heat without stirring until it registers 230 to 235 degrees F on a candy thermometer (thread ball stage). Slowly drizzle the hot corn syrup into the egg whites and beat at high speed until glossy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low, beat in the vanilla extract and the powdered sugar.
5. Using either a pastry bag or a spoon, mound about 1½ tablespoons of marshmallow filling into the center of a cookie. Top with another cookie and press lightly to spread the marshmallow to the edges. Add another mound on top of the second cookie, and top with another cookie, again pressing slightly to spread the filling to the edges. Repeat with the rest of the cookies.
6. To Make the Chocolate Coating: Using a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power and in 30 second increments, melt the chocolate and vegetable oil together until completely smooth. Place the assembled cookies on a wire rack set over a sheet of wax paper. Spoon the melted chocolate over each cookie so that it runs down the sides and covers most of the cookie. Allow to set at room temperature for about 2 hours (or refrigerate to speed up the process). Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
(Recipe adapted from Food and Wine)
print
save
email
I love moon pies! Ever since I moved to Minneapolis I haven’t been able to buy them. I will be making these soon.
Reply
I used to love moon pies as a girl, but they were always the one from the store. So I’m sure this version would be just simply amazing.
Reply
My mom would absolutely love these! I am pretty sure that moon pies were her favorite growing up.
Reply
Oh man! Classic treat
Love it.
Reply
These moon pies look beautiful! I love the marshmallow filling and will definitely have to try. Lovely photos too!
Reply
My father will love these! Thanks for posting
Reply
Thanks for sharing! I never knew Moon pies were part of mardi gras! Interesting…I knew they were a southern thing though!! Love these!!
Reply
These look divine! Great recipe.
Reply
Caroline on March 7th, 2011 at 7:08 am
Will try to make these, look great
Reply
AWesome recipe, great pics!
Reply
Nothing is better than a warm moon pie!! In fact Southern Living magazine even made a Moon Pie Banana Pudding a few years ago that is wonderful too!
Reply
youre taking me back to my childhood and i love it! wonder if that marshmallow fluff stuff is any good?
Reply
Yum! These look awesome! I’ve also never had a moon pie, but now I might have too!
Reply
growing up in the south these became a staple for me! i was saddened when i moved to southern az and couldn’t find them! i can’t wait to make these now!!! yum!!!
Reply
Your moonpies look Amazing! I wasn’t really allowed to have many sweets as a child, and was ultimately disappointed when I tried my first moonpie. These may change my mind!
Reply
You are an evil, evil woman!! LOL, just kidding of course! Moon pies are my favorite and my weakness; next to chocolate & peanut butter, Texas sheet cake, ice cream, oh well, I have a lot of weaknesses! Growing up in the Deep South, moon pies were almost a staple. I’ve tried to stay away from them as an adult, every bite goes straight to the hips, I won’t even look at a box in the store. I never even thought about home made. I will definitely try them!
Reply
You just made my husband a very happy man!!! I can not wait to make these for him! Thanks for sharing another wonderful recipe!
Reply
i’ve never heard of moon pies before, guess i’m too far north (toronto!). sounds almost like a s’mores cookies, with a vanilla cookie instead of a graham cracker. anything with marshmallow and chocolate gets bookmarked by me!
Reply
Just as a short cut, could you use Marshmallow crème or fluff instead of making it yourself?
Reply
Michelle on March 4th, 2011 at 10:48 am
Hi Georgia, Sure you could do that.
Reply
The only thing I’ve eaten similar to these were *Wagon Wheels* when I was a kid. Your moon pies look great and interesting to know that they are a big part of Mardi Gras. I’d rather catch these than beads!
Reply
These look amazing! I didn’t know these were originally associated with Mardi Gras either… This is going on my list to try!
Reply
wow these look great. these were my favorite snack from little debbie (i think) growing up and sometimes they wouldn’t sell them all the time.
Reply
Wow! and so pretty too! My daughter would love these … this is one cookie I will definitely be trying out. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Question, can you use brown syrup instead of corn syrup?? And they look yummy.
Reply
Michelle on March 4th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Hi Michelle, I have never used brown syrup, but if you have used that substitute before it couldn’t hurt to try!
Reply
I love love love love moon pies. I get them all the time. I can’t wait to try this.
Reply
SO cute!!!
xoxo
Kathleen
Reply
Love the light marshmallow filling of moon pies! These look like the perfect treat
Reply
These look super tasty! I love that you made them double deckers. I think I’ve had little Debbie-type moon pies before, never homemade!
Reply
I always see these in the gas stations but have never had one either. I think I’d like the homemade variety a little better
Reply
Could you dip the cookies? Or flip them over once dried and cover the rest with chocolate?
Reply
Michelle on March 8th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
You could try dipping them, but just be careful, especially with the double-decker ones. I thought that dipping/flipping them might cause the cookies to slide off the marshmallow filling.
Reply
Oh my gosh, what a tempting little cookie! These look delicious, Michelle. Thanks for sharing the recipe and inspiration for Mardi Gras!
Reply
Um-these look awesome! Can I have one?
Reply
I didn’t realize how easy these were! Yum! I’ll have to try these out.
Reply
I’ve never had a moon pie before either! But they do look scrumptious! I think my little guy would just love these!
Reply
Try putting them in the microwave for about 15 seconds! Yum! Girl, all you need now is an ice cold RC soda! Moon Pies and RC are a great childhood memory by brother and I have with our grandparents.
Reply
Absolutely gorgeous and mouthwatering! I had no idea moon pies are traditional mardi gras treats. Beautiful shots!
Reply
I cannot say enough about how much I love moon pies. Homemade version here I come! Looks sooooo good!
Reply
good for you! these are perfect! i can only imagine how delicious they are…
Reply
These are beautifully photographed, so amazing! So yummy looking too, I wish I could taste them!
Reply
I might try to make these this weekend. Yum!
Reply
Love me some Moonpies! My girls even have a MoonPie shirt.
Your pictures are amazing – great work! Susan http://www.ugogrrl.com
Reply
Ohmygosh. I won’t eat store-bought moon pies because they use gelatin in the filling, which isn’t strictly vegetarian. You are my dessert craving savior! I can’t wait to try them–and share them with my other vegetarian friends!
Reply
Anything that includes a marshmallow filling is a yummy treat for me! These cookies sound fantastic!
Reply
I’ve never had a Moon Pie. This recipe may be my ticket to trying then
Reply
I flew through the Nashville airport last week and noticed a large display of Moon Pies. I had not thought about them since I was a kid! Thanks for the recipe–they look better than the original and I can’t wait to give it a try!
Reply
I’d love to make these, but I can never find corn syrup. Is there anything I can use in its place? I notice you talked about brown syrup, what is it? I guess our ingredients differ a little over here in SA.
Reply
Michelle on March 8th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Hi Anzelle, You could try brown rice syrup, cane syrup, or also mix your own using 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup per 1 cup called for in a recipe.
Reply
I’ve never had a moon pie, either. I’m thinking this Mardi Gras is the perfect time to try one!
Reply
Sign me up for that campaign!
Reply
could these look any more perfect? they remind me of those korean choco pies i used to eat!
Reply
YUM! Can’t wait to try these! They’ll make a different Easter treat!
Reply
Oh yum Michelle. I’ve never heard of these, but they look delicious. What’s not to love. Bookmarked and stumbled.
Reply
You have made even moon pies look chic and beautiful!
Reply
I used to love Moon Pies as a child! They come in the single cookie sandwhich and double decker variety…I might have to try these one day…
Reply
How could you not love a homemade version of one of my alltime favorite treats!?! You rock! I’m stealing this.
Reply
I definitely want to make these. They’re so cute!
Reply
I love homemade “store bought” treats! They’re always the perfect amount of nostalgic taste and so much better.
Thanks for the great recipe!
Reply
OH I haven’t had a moon pie in ages! I bet the homemade ones are SO much better than the store bought ones.
Reply
oh
my
gosh!
i am SO making these!
Reply
YUM! I didn’t know Moon Pies were a Mardi Gras thing either. But I love them and can’t wait to make my own now. Thanks!
Reply
Yum! Great pics.
Reply
These look so amazing!
Reply
YUM! Just like when I was kid!
Reply
Whoa! Much better than store bought! And so sweet looking. Not like “Oh, too sweet, ick,” but “Oh, how sweet!” Love these!
Reply
Oh, these look so amazing! I love the way you poured the chocolate down over the top instead of dipping them entirely in chocolate. Very pretty!
Reply
I love Moon Pies! Homemade has to be just fantastic, they sure do look amazing!
Reply
These moon pies were fantastic! The recipe worked perfectly every step of the way!! Thank you! Also made the peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies this week and they were wonderful too.
Reply
Yours are so pretty!!! I’ve never made them, but now I want too seeing yours.
Reply
Hi, Just stopped by (again..) to let you know that I loved this recipe and posted it on my site, with credits to you of course. Thank you! Flavia
Reply
First try was a big hit! Made them for my women’s gathering on the full moon in March. The theme that night was the moon. Used maple syrup instead of corn syrup for the second try in the marshmallow filling. Yum!!! Thank you for being a resource for such a classic.
Reply
This looks so good! I’ve only had a moonpie once, when I was a kid, and I wasn’t a huge fan (probably because I don’t really like storebought marshmallows unless they’re toasted). I think I will have to revisit the homemade version!
Reply
I wouldn’t worry about the ‘uncooked’ egg whites issue. My mom uses this method to make Divinity candy for peanut butter roll all the time and has for more than 40 years. If you add the boiling corn syrup too fast, it will actually cook the egg whites in the bowl, so you add it slowly. The thread ball stage is 230-235 degrees and that’s a hundred degrees higher than what’s needed for pasteurization.
Reply
When I try to make the Marshmallow Filling and when I was pouring the light corn syrup into the egg whites, it became hard and it did not get incorporated in the egg whites. You could see the harden corn syrup. So do you know what I did wrong or do you have any tips for when I make again?
Reply
Michelle on September 12th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Hi Lauren, It sounds like the corn syrup mixture boiled for too long on the stove and reached the hard ball stage. Did you use a candy thermometer? If so, I would make sure it’s calibrated correctly.
Reply
Thanks for the recipe. I love moon pies. The real thing, however, doesn’t use sugar cookies. It uses soft graham cookies (taste like a graham cracker, but soft instead of crispy). Moon pies are a staple of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama. Most people don’t realize that Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the Gulf Coast and the tradition started in Alabama, not New Orleans. The very first Mardi Gras parades every year are on Dauphin Island, at the mouth of Mobile Bay because Dauphin Island was the very first capitol of the French Louisiana territory.
Reply
I’ve got to back Vicki S. on this one – those cookies were tasty, but nothing like moon pies. They should be soft.
Reply
I happened to look up the history of moon pies. Moon pies date back long before Mardi Gras. As it turns out is a Danish cookie. And this recipe is true that origin. Coincidentally my husband’s family is Danish. The family was delighted with the cookie and the connection to their heritage.
Reply
HELP, I followed the directions exactly for the marshmallow filling but it is too thin to put on the cookie. Do I need to let it sit for a bit or what???? Please, did anybody else have this problem? I’m trying to get them shipped out today to a couple of boys in the Navy but they cannot go like this!!!
Reply
Michelle on October 12th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Hi Penny, I’m so sorry you are having some trouble. It sounds like the corn syrup mixture didn’t boil long enough. At this point unfortunately there is nothing you can do if it’s actually runny
(You could save it for a marshmallow dip, but it won’t set enough for the cookies)
Reply
These were called Scooter Pies when I was growing up in New Jersey. Haven’t had one since my childhood (guess my tastes became too discriminating), but that is about to change. These look amazing.
Just happened upon this website and I am drooling. Love it!!
Reply
For those of you east coasters, remember Mallow Mars? That is what these also remind me of. Ah, the memories of childhood.
Reply
I tried this recipe – the dough was too sticky/soft to roll out, so I had to spoon it onto the baking pan.
Taste is not bad though.
Reply
These were incredible! I followed the recipe exactly. The dough needed about an hour to chill and I had to be generous with my powdered sugar (I don’t use flout to roll out dough) but they were perfect. I made these for my son’s buzz lightyear dessert table and they were a hit, more than the delicious cake!!!
Reply
Once I added the corn syrup it just turned into a rock hard clump of corn syrup with milky egg whites?
Reply
Even though this posting went out a year ago I just came across it today. I think I should have kept looking because WOW, you guys REALLY are making me feel OLD. I can’t believe the number of people that either haven’t ever eaten a moon pie, eaten one their entire life, or saying how your parents liked them. This is one store bought treat that was in the house during my childhood. But then of course back in the “olden days” we only had a few things in the grocery store which were available. Although I am being partly sarcastic in some ways there is a lot of truth in that statement. When I walk through the supermarkets today it’s INSANE the amount of “junk foods” or pre-packaged food available today. I grew up eating VERY few store bought treats such as HoHos, Ding Dongs, Snowballs, Twinkies, anything Little Debbie, Hostess fruit pies, those disgusting oatmeal cream pies my dad liked, all that sort of stuff. In fact, I found most of it even as a kid verging on disgusting sweet (I know you’ll think I’m weird but I hated Twinkies and I still do) but I DID love moon pies. My dad also always loved them and every once in a blue moon I’ll buy them as one of the snacks we keep in the office. I have to watch it though, he’s diabetic and I don’t like to tempt him too much with sweets. If I do make these, which I think I might, (they’ll make a great treat to put in the care packages I send to my nephew in college and some of my friends) , I’m going to put chocolate coating on both sides so they’ll be more like the original treat. I enjoy baking most cakes and cupcakes and they are almost impossible most of the time to ship. This is an item that’s very shippable. I noticed one reader was trying to send them to a service member. I know they’ll love them. Considering the trouble a good many had making the marshmallow filling I’m curious how my will be.
Reply