The magnificently mouthwatering meld of marshmallow, graham, and chocolate that is known as the MoonPie is an undeniably iconic snack that deserves a place in culinary history. And while you may have downed more than a few of these sweet treats, do you know how the nostalgic (and delightfully delicious) dessert got its start?
Over a century ago, in 1917, a Kentucky coal miner asked for a snack that was “as big as the moon.” The request, given to traveling salesman Earl Mitchell, was taken under advisement, and history was made.
How did a traveling salesman and a coal miner create the MoonPie?
Chattanooga Bakery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the home of the MoonPie. Back in 1917, Mitchell was a traveling salesman for the company, tasked with visiting a general store in Kentucky’s Appalachian region.
Reportedly, the store’s owner wasn’t interested in anything Mitchell had to offer at the time. After leaving the sales call, he happened to meet a few local coal miners, which sparked an idea that would change the face of snacking forever.
According to Southern Living, Tory Johnston, vice president of sales and marketing for Chattanooga Bakery, said in 2025, “They originally made all of these different items — wafers, crackers, vanilla cookies — under a brand called Lookout, a local residential and tourist mountain in Chattanooga.” In fact, the bakery made more than 100 items in the early 1900s. But none of them were the MoonPie. That is, until Mitchell took his coal miner conversation back from Kentucky to Tennessee.
The MoonPie brand notes that when Mitchell asked the bakery to work on something new, the company obliged. Instead of another cookie or cracker, they created a satisfying sweet that could fit into the coal miners’ lunch pails.
How did MoonPie become one of the most beloved sweet snacks in America?
Who can resist the chocolate, marshmallow, and graham combo? Apparently no one. The “pies” were originally priced at $0.05 each, and per the MoonPie website, flew off store shelves. These sweet snacks became an instant American classic that even made its way to the front lines of World War II (in care packages sent to servicemen overseas).
MoonPie introduces new products and flavors
While the original MoonPie remains a fan favorite, the brand has expanded, introducing new products to American consumers over the years. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Double-Decker Deluxe, Vanilla, and Banana MoonPie hit store shelves. But that’s not all.
View this post on InstagramOver the years, MoonPie dropped more options for snack lovers to try. The newer mini MoonPie are available in a variety of fun flavors, including mint, blueberry, salted caramel, and strawberry, and the Double-Decker desserts feature original chocolate as well as banana, vanilla, blueberry, and salted caramel. And then there’s the Christmas MoonPie. While it hasn’t made its 2026 debut yet, the red-and-green sprinkle-covered sweet was a hit last year.
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