Down-Home Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe: A Sweet Slice of Heaven

Chocolate lovers unite over this decadent Mississippi mud cake that promises pure Southern comfort and indulgence.

Rich, velvety layers melt into a sinful landscape of marshmallow and fudge.

Deep cocoa notes dance through each moist crumb, creating an irresistible dessert sensation.

Soft, pillowy marshmallows crown this chocolate masterpiece with delightful sweetness.

Every forkful delivers a luxurious experience that transports you straight to chocolate heaven.

The stunning combination of textures and intense chocolate flavor makes this cake an absolute showstopper.

Let’s find out this irresistible Southern classic and treat yourself to a slice of pure dessert bliss.

Store, Reheat & Crave Again Instructions

• Smart Cooling Strategy: Let the Mississippi Mud Cake cool completely at room temperature for 1-2 hours before adding marshmallows and icing to prevent melting and ensure perfect texture.
• Refrigeration Magic: Store cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container, keeping marshmallow layer soft and chocolate icing firm.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for freezer storage up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator for best taste and moisture retention.
• Serving Suggestion: Slice cake when chilled for clean cuts, and let sit at room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving to soften marshmallow and enhance flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 471 kcal

Servings: 13

Mississippi Mud Cake Ingredient List

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth texture and helps create tender crumb when softened to room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create light, airy cake structure.
• All-Purpose Flour: Essential structure builder for cake with perfect protein content.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and gorgeous dark color.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients, add moisture, and provide structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall chocolate flavor with warm, aromatic undertones.

• Chopped Pecans: Introduces delightful nutty texture and toasty flavor, selecting fresh, crunchy nuts for best results.

• Mini Marshmallows, Confectioners' Sugar, Whole Milk, Unsalted Butter, Cocoa Powder: Create decadent, gooey marshmallow frosting with rich chocolate undertones, ensuring ingredients are fresh and at room temperature for smooth blending.

Tools for Baking This Chocolate Classic

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for baking the entire cake.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for combining cake ingredients and icing.
• Spatula: Great for spreading marshmallows and icing evenly.
• Whisk: Useful for mixing icing ingredients until smooth.

How to Make the Gooiest Mud Cake Ever

• Chocolate Base Preparation

Mix soft butter with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, blending gently. Fold in cocoa powder and flour, creating a rich chocolate batter. Stir in chopped pecans for extra crunch and depth of flavor.

• Baking Magic

Pour batter into a greased rectangular pan. Slide into a preheated oven and bake until the center looks set and a toothpick comes out nearly clean. Allow cake to cool slightly.

• Marshmallow Layer

Sprinkle fluffy marshmallows across the warm cake’s surface. Let them melt and spread into a gooey, soft blanket covering the entire dessert.

• Decadent Chocolate Glaze

Whip together powdered sugar, cocoa, and melted butter. Splash in a touch of milk to create a silky, glossy chocolate topping. Drizzle generously over the marshmallow layer, allowing it to cascade down the sides.

• Final Touch

Let the cake rest and cool completely. The glaze will set into a luxurious, shiny finish. Slice into generous squares and serve to delighted guests.

Smart Tips for Texture & Toppings

• Swap traditional marshmallows with flavored varieties like strawberry or chocolate for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
• Replace pecans with walnuts, almonds, or macadamia nuts to create different texture and flavor profiles in your Mississippi Mud Cake.
• Prepare the cake a day in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature to enhance the rich, decadent flavors.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this dessert accessible for those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining the cake's delicious texture.
• For intense chocolate flavor, add a tablespoon of espresso powder to the cocoa mixture or sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top before baking to elevate the richness.

Ways to Serve Mud Cake with Flair

• Chocolate Lover's Paradise: Serve this decadent Mississippi Mud Cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the rich chocolate flavors and add a creamy contrast.
• Sweet Pairing Perfection: Accompany the cake with a hot cup of dark roast coffee or rich espresso to enhance the deep chocolate notes and create a truly indulgent dessert experience.
• Festive Presentation Magic: Garnish individual slices with a light dusting of cocoa powder, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate the visual appeal and add extra texture to each bite.
• Party Crowd-Pleaser: Cut into small squares for potlucks or gatherings, making it easy for guests to enjoy this sinful Southern classic without overwhelming their dessert plate.

Decadent Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Mississippi mud cake blends rich chocolate with gooey marshmallow and chocolate frosting. Chocolate lovers discover a Southern classic that satisfies deepest dessert cravings with its indulgent layers of flavor.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ¼ cups (150 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 4 cups mini marshmallows
• ¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 16 oz (454 g) confectioners’ sugar
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Base Creation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then integrate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition.
3. Batter Development: Sift flour and cocoa powder, gradually folding into the butter mixture while maintaining a smooth consistency, then gently incorporate vanilla extract and chopped pecans for depth of flavor.
4. Baking Process: Pour batter into the prepared dish, spreading evenly, and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
5. Marshmallow Layer: Immediately after removing from the oven, blanket the warm cake with mini marshmallows, allowing them to soften and create a gooey surface.
6. Chocolate Icing: Whisk powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and softened butter until crumbly, then gradually add milk, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and spreadable.
7. Finishing Touch: Once the marshmallow layer has slightly set, delicately spread the chocolate icing across the entire cake surface, then allow to cool completely before serving.

Notes

• Butter Softening Technique: Ensure butter is at room temperature, soft but not melted, for optimal creaming and cake texture.
• Egg Incorporation Tip: Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly to prevent batter separation and create a smooth, uniform mixture.
• Pecan Preparation: Lightly toast pecans before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add deeper complexity to the cake.
• Marshmallow Melting Trick: Add marshmallows immediately after baking while cake is still hot, allowing them to melt slightly and create a gooey, irresistible topping.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 471
• Sugar: 51 g
• Sodium: 154 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 67 mg