December’s Cold Moon: Myths, Legends, and Cookies

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December’s full moon, known as the Cold Moon, earned its name from the long, chilly nights marking winter’s deepening grip. But there’s more to the Cold Moon than just frosty weather. It’s also the perfect time for sharing delightful treats during cozy cookie exchanges. Remember, a broken cookie has lost all its calories.

Smiling woman with long hair enjoying coffee and cookies indoors. Cozy and warm atmosphere. Photo by Gaspar Zaldo
Could those be Moon Pie cookies?

A Moon Pie Moment: History, Nostalgia, and a Homemade Recipe

What better treat to honor the Cold Moon than the iconic Moon Pie—a cookie that’s literally named after the moon. The Moon Pie originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1917, when a salesman from the Chattanooga Bakery asked coal miners what kind of snack they’d like to see. The answer? Something with graham crackers and marshmallow that could “fit in a lunch pail.” When he asked how big it should be, one miner held his hands up to frame the moon—and the name “Moon Pie” was born.

Moon Pie logo logo featuring the classic marshmallow sandwich cookie, highlighting its long-standing history since 1917 and recognizable crescent moon mascot.

Homemade “COLD Moon” Pies Recipe

Makes about 17 Moon Pies, depending on how much you snitch.

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
Moon Pie Cookie Ingredients Kitchen counter with an electric hand mixer, eggs, measuring spoons, sticks of butter on a plate, containers of flour and brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and a bottle of vanilla; modern kitchen in the background.

For the Filling:

  • 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme (like Marshmallow Fluff)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
Moon Pie Cookie Filling Ingredients Baking ingredients and tools on a kitchen counter, including a container of powdered sugar, a stick of butter, marshmallow creme, a bottle of vanilla, and measuring spoons and cups, with kitchen appliances in the background.

For the Coating:

  • 2 cups semisweet or milk chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil or shortening (optional, for smoother melting)
Moon Pie Cookie Coating Ingredients A kitchen with dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances. On the beige countertop are a tub of LouAna coconut oil and a bag of Nestlé Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Instructions:

  • Make the Cookies:
    Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients until combined. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and flatten slightly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
    Bake 8–10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
Moon-Pie-Raw-Cookies A baking tray lined with parchment paper holds nine scoops of cookie dough. Behind it, a mixing bowl with more dough and a spoon sits on a kitchen counter near a stove and other appliances.
Moon Pie Cookies A baking tray lined with parchment paper holds nine round cookies. A yellow bowl with white batter or icing sits nearby on a kitchen counter next to a stainless steel sink.
  • Prepare the Filling:
    Use a spatula or a hot spoon to get the marshmallow creme out of the jar. Beat marshmallow creme, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. It will look like the bowl of fluff in the picture above right.
  • Assemble the Sandwiches:
    Spread filling onto the flat side of one cookie and top with another to make a sandwich.
  • Dip in Chocolate:
    Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 20–30 seconds until smooth. Dip each cookie sandwich into the chocolate to coat, then place on parchment paper to set. Chill briefly to harden the coating.
Moon-Pie-Choc-Cookies. A kitchen counter with a blue bowl of chocolate, cookies being dipped in chocolate, metal tongs, and finished sandwich cookies on a festive plate decorated with Christmas trees.

Enjoy your Moon Pie Cookies. You can always put sprinkles or coconut flakes on the chocolate before it hardens. These are FAT cookies, you may have to share!

Be Sure to Visit These Designers for More Recipes

DECEMBER 1st

DECEMBER 2nd

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DECEMBER 4TH

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