Homemade Moon Pies

Before I share this recipe with you all I need to preface how I grew up and why I go nuts for sugar, on top of sugar sandwiched between sugar.

When I was little my mom was a health nut vegetarian and we weren’t allowed to have processed foods. For a sweet treat she gave us yogurt or raisins. I am not exaggerating! So, when I started going over to my friends houses I was shown a world where Little Debbie snack cakes and Doritos chips ruled! I started hoarding chocolate Ding Dongs and Moon Pies in my backpack….until I got caught.

Anyways, looking back I laugh and I know my mom was doing the best thing for me. But, as a result I have a major sweet tooth. I don’t buy individually wrapped snack cakes and treats…I just make them from scratch. Which is way better!

Today I want to teach you how to be rock star! And the only way you can become a rock star is by making Moon Pies….Trust me they are easy and perfect for the Halloween holiday coming up! Although this recipe doesn’t have any pumpkin or spice…the kids (and adults) with L.O.V.E. devouring these treats come Trick or Treat time!

What You Need

cookies

`2 sticks of butter (at room temp)

`3/4 cup sugar

`1 large egg (at room temp)

`1 tsp vanilla

`2 cups of flour (little extra for rolling dough)

`1/2 tsp baking powder

`1/4 tsp salt

filling

`1 bag mini marshmallows

`1/2 stick of butter

coating

`1 bag chocolate chips

`1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

Cookies

`The first thing you want to do make the cookies. These cookies are a little difficult and you have to chill the dough for about 30 minutes prior to rolling, cutting and baking them.

`In a bowl cream the butter for a good minute. You will know it is ready when it looks whipped and glossy.

`Add the sugar and cream the butter and sugar together until the sugar is completely incorporated. This will also take a minute or two.

`Add the egg and vanilla. Mix well.

`Now add the dry ingredients. Flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until a dough forms. Don’t worry if it does not come together. Just form it together with your hands and some extra flour. Separate into two balls, wrap in parchment paper and chill for 30 minutes.

`When the dough is ready. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

`On a floured surface, roll out the dough and cut circle cookies.

`On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake the cookies for no more than 10 minutes. I have found that this dough cooks fast. Once you see the edges turning a light golden brown, take the cookies out of the oven and let them finish cooking on the cookie sheet. The hot sugars will finish the baking process. You will be left with super soft cake like cookies!

Filling

`In a pot melt 1/2 a stick of butter.

`Once melted add marshmallows. Stir until they are all melted and gooey.

`You can use a spoon to top cookies with marshmallow or a piping bag.

`Add about a  1/2 a tablespoon of marshmallow to each cookie then sandwich cookies together.

`Place them on a baking sheet and chill in the fridge.

Chocolate Coating

`Fill a small saucepan half way with water. Bring this to a boil. In a glass bowl that can fit on top of your saucepan put the chocolate chips and cream. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat, place the glass bowl with your chocolate and butter on top of the boiling water and stir until melted.

`The chocolate should be smooth and shiny.

`Take the cookies out of the fridge and spoon the chocolate coating on top each one.

`Traditional Moon Pies are completely coating with chocolate. However, I just top mine with chocolate and let it drip down the sides. I like the look and the amount of chocolate is perfect.

`Put the cookies back in the fridge until the chocolate coating has hardened.

`Once the coating has hardened… The Moon Pies are ready to enjoy!

Happy Halloween Friends!