Saturday night a week ago, while visiting a dear friend, we watched the splashdown of Artemis II's monumental return from the moon. The only thing that would have made that visit more enjoyable would have been the ultimate celestial snack, the MoonPie, and a large RC Cola. Do you remember this delight known as being "as big as the moon?"
I can't say I grew up on MoonPies and RC Colas back in the '50s, but they were definitely a delicacy when we were treated to them. Our children loved them, and I would occasionally serve them for dessert. Our family summer trips always included at least one box of Chocolate MoonPies, and they never melted in a hot car. I now wonder why we allowed the health influencers to convince us that these icons, made with 'Real Sugar,' needed to be omitted from our diet. Isn't it interesting that they still exist and, evidently, are still popular and offer several different varieties? Have you had one lately?
So to belatedly celebrate Artemis II, let's look back on the MoonPie's beginning.
According to company lore, the story began in 1917 when Earl Mitchell, a traveling salesman, visited a general store frequented by Appalachian coal miners. When Mitchell asked what they looked for in a snack, the miners responded that it needed to fill them up, be portable enough to fit in a lunch pail, and be a treat that would get them through a long shift. One man then was said to point to the moon, saying he hoped the snack would be as big as the moon.
Mitchell headed back to Tennessee and reported to the folks at Chattanooga Bakery. They came up with a new creation - a chocolate-dipped tasty treat featuring fluffy marshmallows sandwiched between two large graham crackers. The legendary MoonPie was born, and soon folks all over the South were clamoring for one.
The Chattanooga Daily Times posted this ad for the Chattanooga Bakery on October 7, 1917.
By 1929, these factory workers in the Chattanooga Bakery were boxing up hundreds every day.
In its early days, the MoonPie was the ultimate budget-friendly snack. For just a nickel, it offered a delicious boost. It was often paired with an RC Cola, giving rise to the Depression lunch. And that's another story: In the '20s and '30s, the coldest place in the country was the drink box at the crossroads country store. Farm workers would get an hour for lunch and would go to the drink box.
There was a 6-ounce Coca-Cola for a nickel, and there was a whopping big 10 ounce RC for a nickel. The RC was the better buy, so they could buy a MoonPie for a nickel and here was lunch for a dime for these hard-working folks. And that's how the MoonPie and RC Cola combo began.
From the Tennessean: January 4, 1948
In the 1940s, the "Soldier's Comfort" MoonPies were shipped in comfort packages to boost morale for the Armed forces during WWII.
In the 1950s, MoonPies became the preferred "throw" during Mardi Gras parades. They were soft enough to be tossed into a crowd without causing injury. Before this, the "Cracker Jack" box was the favorite but tended to be rather dangerous.
The 1960s brought new flavors like vanilla, banana, and strawberry to the lineup.
In 1994, the Out of the World Festival celebrated the 75th anniversary of the MoonPie and the RC, and has become an annual festival in Tennessee.
1999 saw the debut of the Mini MoonPies.
From the Birmingham News: July 27, 1981
So, whether you're planning to watch the skies for the next lunar mission or just looking for a taste of nostalgia, the MoonPie remains a delicious reminder of big dreams and even bigger snacks. There is evidently a MoonPie recipe book with some pretty sinful ways to use this Southern snack. Although I prefer mine plain, I do plan to look for a box on my next trip to the store. How about you?
