This beloved American classic combines the delightful flavors of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate into a sweet treat that has stood the test of time for over a century. Why not try your hand at making them from scratch? Here’s our favorite easy-to-make recipe for delicious mini moon pies for you.
A Universe of Flavors
While the classic moon pies are coated in chocolate, the options don’t end there. Bakers have explored various flavors, including vanilla, salted caramel, strawberry, and banana. Moon pies also come in different sizes. ‘Double decker’ moon pies are thicker, featuring two layers of marshmallow cream between three graham crackers, all dipped in a flavored coating. Miniature-sized moon pies are another favorite, making them perfect for snacking on the go.
A DIY Moon Pie Adventure
If all this talk of moon pies has you yearning for a taste, you’re not alone! While you can find them in stores, homemade moon pies offer an extra-special and surprisingly simple treat. Look no further than cookbook author Christina Lane’s recipe for Mini Moon Pies. Her recipe, featured in her cookbook Sweet & Simple: Dessert for Two, uses common ingredients along with healthier alternatives like coconut oil and honey, providing a lighter twist on the classic chocolate-covered snack. Ready to get started, then?
Ingredients:
● Softened unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons
● Marshmallow fluff, ¼ cup
● Powdered sugar, ¼ cup
● Honey, 1 tablespoon
● Vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon
● Fine sea salt, ¼ teaspoon
● All-purpose flour, ½ cup, plus extra for rolling
● Chocolate chips of your favorite kind, 1 cup
● Coconut oil, 1 tablespoon
Directions:
● Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
● Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, honey, and vanilla extract until fluffy. Add the salt and flour, and beat until well combined. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
● Transfer the chilled dough onto a floured cutting board, sprinkling flour on top. Press the dough into a 6-inch square. Using a 2-inch wide biscuit cutter or the rim of a juice glass, cut out 12 circles. Place the circles on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Allow them to cool.
● In a double boiler over medium heat, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil.
● Spread one teaspoon of marshmallow fluff onto the bottom side of 6 cookies, then sandwich them with the remaining cookies. Dip half of each sandwich into the melted chocolate. Place the moon pies on a wax paper-lined plate and chill for 10 minutes before serving.