Moonshine Mountain Cookies & Ice Cream Pigeon Forge, TN

In a town known for its Southern hospitality and sweet surprises, few places capture the Smoky Mountain spirit quite like Moonshine Mountain Cookies. What started as a simple recipe inside a Knoxville pizza shop has grown into one of Tennessee’s most beloved cookie brands. Now serving locals, tourists, and nationwide dessert lovers from their newest storefront in Pigeon Forge.

Owned by Mike and Robin Maddux, Moonshine Mountain Cookies blends fresh ingredients, handcrafted methods, and a hint of Tennessee moonshine to create treats that taste nostalgic, comforting, and uniquely Southern. After more than a decade of success in Knoxville, the brand expanded to Pigeon Forge in March 2025, opening a bright and welcoming shop right next to Mellow Mushroom.

🍪 The Moonshine Mountain Cookie Story

The roots of Moonshine Mountain Cookies go all the way back to 1988, when Mike and Robin owned a pizzeria in Knoxville called The Pizza Doctor. Robin created the original cookie recipe as a promotional item, expecting it to be a fun way to surprise customers; but it quickly became the star of the menu.

Customers began calling the store just to order the cookies. They ended up at private events, church groups, gift boxes, family gatherings, and celebrations stretching from Knoxville to Nashville. After years of growing demand, and plenty of encouragement from friends and family, the couple officially launched Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company.

Today, the brand operates three Knoxville locations, partners with corporate clients in Nashville, and ships nationwide through online ordering. Even with that growth, they’ve stayed true to their roots: every batch is still handcrafted in a micro-bakery environment, using fresh ingredients and, in some recipes, a splash of authentic Tennessee moonshine for added depth and richness.

Their mission is simple: to deliver warm, comforting, handcrafted cookies that make people feel at home with every bite.

👥 Meet the Founders

Robin Maddux

The original recipe creator and the heart of the kitchen. Robin is meticulous about quality control and has a natural instinct for flavor. Her warm Southern hospitality keeps the bakery grounded in its family-run origins.

Mike Maddux

A born entrepreneur with decades of experience launching successful ventures. Mike brings the business, marketing, and operational vision that helped transform a pizzeria cookie into a statewide favorite.

Rick Dunlap

A lifelong friend of Mike’s and a former Fortune 500 Certified Purchasing Manager. Rick now channels his creativity into developing new flavor combinations and test-kitchen innovations that keep the menu exciting.

🍫 Fan Favorites and Signature Creations

Moonshine Mountain Cookies offers a lineup of handcrafted flavors made with real butter, high-quality ingredients, and their signature oat-and-flour blend.

Fall & Oats (Seasonal)
Pumpkin | Pecan | White Chocolate | Oat & Flour Blend | Moonshine Frosting

Berry White
Creamy White Chocolate | Real Strawberries | Real Butter | Oat & Flour Blend | Strawberry Moonshine

Rocky Top (Gluten-Free Available)
Creamy Milk Chocolate | Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels | Real Butter | Oat & Flour Blend | Golden Rolled Oats

Choco Khan
Quadruple Creamy Chocolates & Morsels | Rich Cocoa | Real Butter | Oat & Flour Blend

🍦 Beyond Cookies: Ice Cream, Candles, and More

Moonshine Mountain isn’t just a bakery, it’s an experience. The shop also serves house-made ice cream crafted with fresh dairy, complete with made-from-scratch waffle cones. The flavors rotate, but each one pairs perfectly with their cookies for the ultimate Smoky Mountain dessert combo.

And if you can’t get enough of the bakery’s cozy aromas, they’ve launched a new candle line inspired by their cookie flavors. Scents like Happy Pappy (apple pie), Caramel by the Sea (sea salt & toffee), Berry White (strawberry & white chocolate), Sugar Shine (white chocolate & sugar), and Mountain (birch & spruce) let fans take the experience home.

🧁 Community, Creativity, and Connection

Moonshine Mountain Cookies thrives on connection, both in person and online. The bakery regularly invites fans to name new cookie flavors through social media polls and celebrates the community that helped them grow.

They also offer custom cookie cakes for birthdays, weddings, and events, and keep the Tennessee spirit alive with fun promotions during local sports games. Like giving away free cookies when hometown teams hit big milestones.

🌟 A Tennessee Favorite

With over 500 five-star reviews and a spot on USA Today’s list of the Top 10 Cookie Shops in the U.S., Moonshine Mountain Cookies has earned both state and national recognition. Features from ESPN, SCC Network, and the Wall Street Journal have brought even more attention, but the shop remains true to its roots: friendly faces, fresh-baked quality, and handcrafted cookies that taste like a piece of the Smokies.

Whether you’re visiting Pigeon Forge for the first time or a local searching for a new favorite spot, Moonshine Mountain Cookies is a must-visit for anyone who believes dessert should feel like home.

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Want to check out Moonshine Mountain Cookies for yourself?
Visit their website: https://moonshinemountaincookies.com/

🍪 Moonshine Mountain Cookies: A Sweet Smoky Mountain Success Story