There is something about a good cookie and a scoop of homemade ice cream that brings out the kid in all of us. At Moonshine Mountain Cookies & Ice Cream in Fountain City, that simple pleasure comes with a family story, a little Tennessee tradition and plenty of hometown pride.

Since 2024, Moonshine Mountain has been a sweet stop for North Knoxville families, located in Fountain City Plaza near Litton’s and the duck pond. But the story behind those cookies and ice cream began long before the Fountain City location opened.

Robin and Mike Maddux opened their first store in 2015 at West Hills Crossing on Kingston Pike near West Town Mall. They originally sold gourmet cookies in the store and shipped them across the country to corporate customers and online shoppers.

As demand grew, they opened a second West Knoxville location to handle larger-scale cookie production and shipping.

Then came the ice cream.

At first, the couple purchased ice cream from a national wholesaler. But they wanted the same creative freedom they enjoyed with their cookies, so they invested in a commercial batch freezer and traveled to Florida for a week of training at what they affectionately call “Ice Cream University.”

Returning to Knoxville, they developed their own recipes using quality ingredients, dairy mixes from a local dairy and naturally sourced colorings.

After years of requests from North Knoxville customers, the family opened its Fountain City shop in 2024. Another location followed in Pigeon Forge in 2025.

A family business with Volunteer roots

Robin and Mike remain the original owners, and their adult children, Colby and Peyton, are involved behind the scenes. General manager Aaron Evans and many longtime employees have become like extended family.

The family’s Tennessee connections run deep. Robin, Mike and both children are University of Tennessee graduates, while their general manager and many employees are also UT graduates or students.

That Volunteer loyalty even produced one of the business’s most memorable moments.

Through a name, image and likeness sponsorship with former UT football player Alontae Taylor, Moonshine Mountain promised two free cookies to customers if Taylor intercepted a pass during a game.

He delivered.

During a nationally televised game, ESPN broadcasters celebrated with cookies on air. The fun continued during two more games, and Taylor earned the nickname “The Cookie Monster.”

The cookies have earned recognition beyond Tennessee, too. USA TODAY named Moonshine Mountain among America’s 10Best cookie shops in both 2025 and 2026.

A little moonshine in the cookies?

The name isn’t just a clever nod to Tennessee history.

The Madduxes actually use small amounts of flavored Tennessee moonshine in many of their cookie recipes. They say the alcohol bakes off, leaving behind spices and flavors that enhance the cookies.

“We like to say we use just enough for a flavor burst, but not enough to upset the preacher!” the owners explained.

For families wondering, the owners emphasize that no moonshine is used in their ice cream.

More than cookies and ice cream

Ask the Madduxes about their favorite memories, and the stories aren’t necessarily about business growth or national awards.

They remember children running excitedly toward the counter, customers bringing cookies to aging parents and employees proudly driving to work in cars purchased with their own paychecks.

Former Knoxville residents often make Moonshine Mountain one of their first stops when returning to town. Others order cookies shipped across the country because they offer what customers describe as a “taste of Tennessee.”

Parents have even shipped cookies to sons and daughters serving in the military, sending a little reminder of home.

Like many small businesses, Moonshine Mountain faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Competition in the sweet-treat industry remains strong, but the Madduxes believe customer service, quality products and a positive workplace make the difference.

Their commitment extends beyond the shop. The family supports local charities, school clubs, sports teams and community causes while providing jobs for young people, sometimes their very first employment experience.

“Our community is extremely important to us,” the owners said.

For Robin and Mike, Knoxville is more than the place where they built a business. It’s where they raised their children and where their grandchildren are now growing up.

And for Fountain City customers, Moonshine Mountain offers something beyond a dessert stop: a family-owned business where the cookies come with a story, the ice cream is homemade and the welcome is part of the experience.

Visit: Moonshine Mountain Cookies & Ice Cream, 5212 N. Broadway, Fountain City Plaza, Knoxville.

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