Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Lori Walker
Did you know Scooter Pies was originally a version of Moon Pies? It was only named as such because of the NY Yankees shortstop Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto.
During those times, it is normal for various companies to name their products after famous Baseball players to capitalize on their fame. Of course, kids loved collecting them.
If you want to learn more about the differences between Scooter Pie vs Moon Pie, check out what we’ve compiled.
Scooter Pie & Moon Pie: The Battle Of The Best Pie
If Moon pies and Scooter pies are two biscuits of the same concept, then why bother comparing the two delicious treats?
The Scooter Pies (named after a Baseball player) was just a variation of the original Moon Pie. During the 60s and 70s, Northern Region consumers preferred Scooter Pies over Moon Pies.
There are many reasons and claims why the Scooter pies are better than the Moon Pies and vice versa, including their taste, origin, popularity, looks, and price point.
Find out the difference between a tart pan and a pie pan here.
Spot the Differences
Origin & History
Earl Mitchelle, the traveling salesman of the Moon Pies in 1917, asked a Kentucky coal miner what his “ideal” snack was [1].
“Moon Pie is more than a snack. It’s a cultural artifact.”
– William Ferris, former head of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture
The coal miner replied that he wanted a snack “as big as the moon,” and that’s how the idea of the tasty Moon Pies was created.
Popularity
The name of the well-loved Scooter Pies caught the attention of kids and adults alike. Some people even say that they are better than Moon Pies.
Scooter Pies were baked continuously for many years by other manufacturers until it was discontinued.
On the other hand, even with other similar versions, Moon Pies are still made by the same bakery today.
How Does It Taste
The Chattanooga Bakery is the first one to introduce the concept of marshmallow filling sandwiched between 2 graham crackers.
Both pies taste great and have the concept of a cookie sandwich, and other than the fact that Moon Pies have more variations for a flavored coating, it’s hard to tell what tastes better.
Aside from the scarcity of Scooter Pies nowadays, determining what tastes better still depends on one’s preference.
How Does It Look
Both signature cake treats have a chocolate coating, with the Scooter Pies having a lighter brown color and a rougher exterior. Moon Pies also have varying sizes.
But how long will chocolate pie stay fresh in the fridge?
Packaging
The packaging used to sell Moon Pies is blue and white, while the Scooter Pies vary in colors over the years as they have different manufacturers.
Flavor Offerings
It’s hard to find Scooter pies nowadays, but back then, it had a layer of marshmallow sandwiched between 2 graham-like crackers and covered with chocolate.
While Scooter Pies were discontinued, the same manufacturer still makes a version of Moon Pies.
The graham cracker of Moon Pies is usually covered with different flavors. You can find chocolate, vanilla, banana, and salted caramel-flavored Moon Pies.
Additionally, Scooter Pies are not the only snack that took the idea of the Moon Pies.
There is also a variation of Moon Pies called Little Debbie Marshmallow Pies and some personal recipes like the Girl Scout Cookie, Wagon Wheels, and Whoopie Pie.
In Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Moon Pie enthusiasts create fun flavors, incorporating them into the tasty treat. You can find orange as one flavor that they offer.
Price Point
During the great depression, Moon Pies became a popular snack because of their affordable price. Until today the same company, Chattanooga Bakery, still sells them.
However, variations and other copies of the pies started to appear, such as the Marshmallow Pies of Little Debbie, which had a different price.
Moon Pies cost around $12.95 today, and Little Debbies’ Marshmallow Pies cost around $10.00 per box.
While the price point of Scooter Pies didn’t go far from Moon Pies, it has spiked significantly today, with some selling them for approx. $300, as this became a memoir of the late 60s.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
As a kid, maybe you remember your mom packing one of these pies in your lunch bags and lunch box.
Graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate are some of the main ingredients in this sweet treat (Moon Pie and Scooter Pie) [2].
Scooter Pie also includes ingredients like vegetable shortening, sugar, butter, flour, salt, and baking soda.
Do Scooter Pie & Moon Pie Share Similarities?
Yes, Scooter Pie and Moon Pie share some similarities.
These graham and marshmallow-covered snacks are almost the same in flavor, marshmallow-filling, and appearance.
Read: Top 10 Boston Cream Pies
FAQs
What came first, Moon Pie or Scooter Pie?
Moon Pies came first. Scooter Pies were only named after the baseball player Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto, but it shares many similarities with Moon Pies.
Where can you find Moon Pie and Scooter Pie?
Eating Moon Pies is easy; you can find them in Tennessee or from retailers like Walmart and Costco.
Scooter Pies, on the other hand, have stopped production, and while some people are selling these on eBay, these cannot be safely consumed anymore.
Final Verdict
There may be no absolute winner in the battle between Scooter Pie vs Moon Pie. Both made every kid and adult happy during the day, although Scooter Pies are no longer manufactured.
Moon Pies have more flavor options and can easily be bought today. You can also try its variations like the Wagon Wheels, Choco Pies, and Whoopie Pie.
References:
- https://www.foodandwine.com/news/moonpies-history-one-hundredth-anniversary
- https://www.eater.com/2016/6/4/11724266/what-is-a-moon-pie
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