Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe

If ever there was a cake that spells pure comfort and indulgence, it’s the Mississippi Mud Cake. This Southern classic is outrageously rich, deeply chocolatey, and topped with gooey clouds of marshmallow and a glossy chocolate glaze. With every decadent bite, you’ll experience a medley of textures: fudgy cake, pillowy marshmallows, a velvety topping, and optional crunchy nuts. Whether you’re baking for a gathering or craving a solo treat, this cake is always met with empty plates and big smiles.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Mississippi Mud Cake keeps it simple yet irresistible, with a handful of pantry staples transforming into a chocolate masterpiece. Every ingredient here has a special role, from building its deep flavor to delivering that iconic divine texture and look.

• All-purpose flour: The essential backbone of the cake, providing structure while keeping everything moist.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds that unmistakable bittersweet chocolate punch and rich color that defines classic Mississippi Mud Cake.
• Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift and helps the cake bake up just right—soft but never dense.
• Granulated sugar: Brings sweetness and ensures a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Unsalted butter: For silky richness and a flavor foundation—plus it adds that irresistibly soft, fudge-like bite.
• Large eggs: Binds everything together and gives the cake its luscious, plush texture.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate and adds a warming note of sweetness in every bite.
• Mini marshmallows: The showstopper! They melt into a gooey, golden topping you just can’t resist.
• Pecans or walnuts (optional): If you love a bit of crunch and a nutty undertone, don’t skip these.

How to Make Mississippi Mud Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when you are. Grab your favorite baking dish and give it a good grease with butter or nonstick spray. This sets you up for easy cake removal (and perfectly intact pieces later!)

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and granulated sugar. This step ensures every bite has an even distribution of chocolate goodness and sweetness, with no pesky lumps.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix your melted unsalted butter with the eggs and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is smooth and silky—this helps emulsify the fats and flavors for a crackly-top cake.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Gently pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir everything together just until it’s incorporated. Don’t overmix! A few swirls with your spatula will ensure your Mississippi Mud Cake stays tender and moist.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the luscious batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Slide it into the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean (a few fudgy crumbs are totally fine).

Step 6: Add Marshmallows and Finish Baking

Sprinkle a generous layer of mini marshmallows all over the hot cake. Pop it back in the oven for another 5 minutes, just until those marshmallows puff up and turn golden brown. This ooey-gooey step makes Mississippi Mud Cake so irresistible.

Step 7: Chocolate Glaze Finale

While the cake cools slightly, melt chocolate chips with a pat of butter to make a glossy glaze. Drizzle the warm chocolate over the marshmallows, letting it ripple and drip for true mud-cake magic. If you’re using nuts, now’s the time to scatter them over the top!

How to Serve Mississippi Mud Cake

Garnishes

For a finishing touch, you can dust the top with extra cocoa powder, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans, or add a pinch of flaky salt for contrast. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside makes each slice even more memorable.

Side Dishes

Mississippi Mud Cake shines brightest with simple sides. Consider fresh berries for a pop of tartness, or icy cold milk to cut through the richness. If you’re hosting, a platter of sliced strawberries or a mug of hot coffee will have guests coming back for seconds.

Creative Ways to Present

Dare to serve this cake warm in rustic squares, or cut into petite bites for a crowd-pleasing dessert platter. For an extra flourish, plate each piece over a drizzle of caramel sauce or set it in a sundae glass with marshmallow fluff and nuts for a Mississippi Mud Cake parfait!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Have leftover Mississippi Mud Cake? Lucky you! Simply cover the pan tightly or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will stay moist and delicious for up to four days at room temperature.

Freezing

To freeze, let the cake cool completely, then wrap pieces individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. It’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

If you love your cake warm and gooey, microwave individual slices on low for 20–30 seconds, just until the marshmallows start to melt again. Alternatively, reheat in a low oven (300°F) for about 10 minutes for that fresh-baked vibe.

FAQs

Can I add extra chocolate or chocolate chips to the batter?

Absolutely! Studding the batter with chocolate chips makes each bite even more luscious and adds to that unmistakable Mississippi Mud Cake richness. Fold in a handful before baking for triple-chocolate goodness.

What’s the best way to melt chocolate chips for the glaze?

I recommend using a microwave in short 20-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth. You can also use a double boiler for gentle, even melting—just add the butter and chocolate chips together for a silky finish.

Can I make Mississippi Mud Cake without nuts?

Definitely! Nuts are completely optional and leaving them out doesn’t take away from the cake’s signature flavor or texture. If you’re nut-free, just skip them or substitute with crushed pretzels for a unique twist.

How do I know when the cake is baked through?

Mississippi Mud Cake is best when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. The marshmallows will finish baking the top layer, so focus on the cake portion’s doneness at the 25–30 minute mark.

Can I use large marshmallows instead of mini?

If you only have large marshmallows, just cut them into smaller pieces to scatter over the cake. Minis melt and brown more evenly, but the result will be just as delicious with whatever you have on hand.

Final Thoughts

Mississippi Mud Cake is the kind of recipe that delights both bakers and eaters—simple, decadent, and impossible to resist. I hope your kitchen fills with laughter (and the sweet smell of chocolate) as you whip up this Southern treasure. Dive in, share it with loved ones, and watch it disappear faster than you can say Mississippi Mud Cake!

Print