Moon Pies

 

These are not your average, thrown off a Mardi Gras parade float, moon pies.  These are little pillows of chocolate cake filled with a lovely marshmallow cream.  

Instead of bringing yet another King cake to your next Mardi Gras get together, bring these little sweets and be the king of party. 

For the cookie/cake

1/2 cup butter, room temp.

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup evaporated milk

2 cups AP flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For the filling

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups marshmallow creme

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degree C) lightly grease 3 cookie sheets.
2. To make the cookies: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the egg and the vanilla, mix until incorporated.  Add the evaporated milk.  Mix well.  In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture slowly to the butter mixture. Mix until all the ingredients are combined.
3. Use an ice cream scoop to drop the dough onto the greased cookie sheets.  The size of  the scoop will determine the size of the finished moon pie.  I use an one ounce scoop. But if you prefer a larger scoop, go for it.  Leave at least 3 inches in between each one, the dough will spread as it bakes.
4. Bake for 7 to 10 min. or until they are firm to the touch. Allow to cool before filling.

To make the filling. In the bowl of a mixer, blend together the butter, confectioners sugar, and the extract.  Add the marshmallow creme and mix until smooth. To assemble the pies place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the filling on the flat side of a  cookie and then cover the filling with the flat side of another cookie. 

And then all that is left to do is to enjoy them and catch some beads!