Name: Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: All-purpose flour; Unsweetened cocoa powder; Baking powder; Granulated sugar; Unsalted butter; Large eggs; Vanilla extract; Mini marshmallows; Pecans or walnuts (optional)

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve been craving a showstopping dessert that’s as gooey as it is chocolatey, you absolutely need to try Mississippi Mud Cake. This classic Southern treat melds a fudgy chocolate base, melty marshmallows, and a rich chocolate glaze in every decadent bite. The unique textures – part brownie, part cake, part pure bliss – make this the kind of dessert you’ll want to bake on repeat for birthdays, potlucks, or just a cozy weekend at home.

Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Mississippi Mud Cake is all about those perfect contrasts, and the lineup here is surprisingly simple – just pantry staples that come together for maximum flavor. Every ingredient brings something special: richness from butter, depth from cocoa, that signature chew from marshmallows, and a welcome crunch from optional nuts. Let’s break it down:

All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cake, giving just the right structure and softness to balance out all that chocolate.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Use a good-quality cocoa for deep, intense chocolate flavor – it makes all the difference.
Baking powder: Helps the cake rise into that just-right, pillowy texture, never dense or dry.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens things up and encourages that beautiful crackly crust on top.
Unsalted butter: Richness alert! Melted butter is the secret to the cake’s moist crumb and addictive flavor.
Large eggs: For binding and tenderness – eggs hold everything together and create the fudgy mouthfeel you’re after.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash to round out the chocolate and add warm, aromatic depth.
Mini marshmallows: The signature “mud” topping, gooey and slightly caramelized after a quick bake.
Pecans or walnuts (optional): A Southern twist for a little crunch! Toast them for the best flavor, or leave them out for a nut-free version.

How to Make Mississippi Mud Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish thoroughly, making sure to coat every corner – trust me, you don’t want any fudgy goodness sticking to the pan when it’s time to serve. This step ensures your Mississippi Mud Cake lifts easily and bakes evenly.

Step 2: Combine Your Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and granulated sugar. Getting these dry ingredients well-combined at the start means you’ll have an even chocolate flavor and no streaks in your baked cake. It’s all about that flawless foundation!

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix melted unsalted butter with your eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth. The warmth of the butter helps everything blend together, creating a glossy, rich base that signals serious decadence is on the way.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients, then gently stir until just combined. The key is to stop as soon as the last streak of flour disappears – this keeps your Mississippi Mud Cake tender and prevents it from getting tough. Over-mixing is the enemy of gooey cake.

Step 5: Bake That Cake!

Scrape the batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for a cake that’s set but still a little soft in the center – a toothpick should come out mostly clean, but a few moist crumbs are perfect for that mud-cake magic.

Step 6: Marshmallow Magic

Time for the fun part! Sprinkle a generous layer of mini marshmallows right over the hot cake. Return it to the oven for just 5 more minutes, until the marshmallows puff up and turn golden. Don’t walk away – you want marshmallows to toast, not char!

Step 7: Finish with Chocolate Glaze

For the final decadent touch, make a quick glaze by melting chocolate chips with a little butter, then drizzle the glossy mixture over the marshmallow layer. It melts into the nooks and crannies, forming that irresistible “mudslide” effect that makes Mississippi Mud Cake so famous.

How to Serve Mississippi Mud Cake

Garnishes

The joy of Mississippi Mud Cake is in making it your own! For a classic look, scatter extra chopped nuts or a few chocolate shavings over the warm glaze. If you’re feeling playful, add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to amplify all those rich flavors. A fresh mint sprig or some cocoa powder dusted on top brings next-level flair.

Side Dishes

This cake is rich, so try pairing each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. For a fresh contrast, serve with sliced strawberries or raspberries on the side. The fruit’s tartness cuts through the richness and makes every bite memorable.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving a crowd, cut the cake into generous squares and pile them high on a big platter. Want single servings? Bake the batter in individual ramekins for adorable, gooey mini mud cakes. Or go dramatic: warm up slices and serve in bowls with extra drizzle of chocolate sauce for a true muddy river effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Mississippi Mud Cake keeps surprisingly well! Cover the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, pop it in the fridge, where it’ll stay fudgy for up to 5 days – just bring it to room temp before diving in for the best texture.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze Mississippi Mud Cake. Cut cooled cake into squares, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, and then place in a freezer bag or airtight container. It’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw slices at room temperature so the glaze and marshmallows stay luscious.

Reheating

If you want to recapture that just-baked gooeyness, reheat a slice in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. The marshmallows get soft again, and the chocolate glaze goes melt-in-your-mouth. For larger portions, warm the cake in a low oven (about 300°F/150°C) for 10 minutes, tented with foil so nothing dries out.

FAQs

Can I make Mississippi Mud Cake without nuts?

Absolutely! The nuts are optional and can be left out if you have allergies or prefer a nut-free version. The cake will still have all of its signature gooey, chocolatey charm.

Why are marshmallows added at the end?

Sprinkling marshmallows on near the end ensures they melt and toast perfectly without sinking into the batter or burning. It’s how you get that classic, sticky layer on top of every Mississippi Mud Cake.

What type of baking dish works best?

A 9×13-inch pan is traditional and gives just the right thickness, but an 8×8-inch pan works for a taller, even fudgier cake – just adjust baking time as needed and keep an eye on doneness.

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of minis?

Yes, just chop them up into smaller pieces. Minis work best for even coverage and faster melting, but use what you have; it’s part of the fun of making a homemade Mississippi Mud Cake!

How do I make the chocolate glaze?

Simply melt chocolate chips with a bit of butter, either in the microwave or over gentle heat on the stove, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over your cake while both are warm for the dreamiest “mud” effect.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as memorable as it is delicious, Mississippi Mud Cake never fails to wow. Gather your favorite people, bake up a pan, and enjoy every gooey bite – you’ll see exactly why this classic is a keeper.

Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 23 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of this decadent Mississippi Mud Cake. A moist and fudgy cake topped with gooey marshmallows and a luscious chocolate glaze, this dessert is a true crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking powder
Granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

Unsalted butter
Large eggs
Vanilla extract

Toppings:

Mini marshmallows
Pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sugar.
Prepare Wet Mixture: In another bowl, mix melted butter with eggs and vanilla until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Add Marshmallows: Sprinkle mini marshmallows on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes until golden brown.
Glaze: Drizzle with melted chocolate glaze made from chocolate chips mixed with butter.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American