Mississippi Mud Cake

You may not think you need another chocolate cake in your repertoire, but this Mississippi mud cake recipe will prove you wrong! The jumbo 13×9 dessert is fantastic for sharing, and not just because of its generous size. A little bit goes a long way (though we have gone back for seconds). It serves up three crowd-pleasing layers: moist chocolate cake, gooey marshmallows and a rich fudgy frosting. This moist cake keeps well, so it’s a great make-ahead recipe if you are a busy host or have a long way to travel for a gathering.

What is Mississippi mud cake?

One of our favorite chocolate desserts, a Mississippi mud cake recipe features dense chocolate cake topped with marshmallows and frosting. The “mud” in the recipe name refers to the layers of thick chocolate that are reminiscent of the muddy banks of the Mississippi. You might recognize the reference (and the name) from another famous southern dessert everyone loves: Mississippi mud pie. That’s a different dessert, as it is chilled rather than baked and made with a graham cracker or cookie crust layered with pudding, cream cheese and whipped topping.

Mississippi Mud Cake Ingredients

• Butter: Using the best butter brand makes a tastier cake. You’ll use the butter both for the cake and the frosting. There’s no need to whip or cream the butter for the cake portion (just melt it), but you’ll want softened butter for the frosting.
• Sugar: Plain granulated sugar is all you need here.
• Eggs: Eggs add rich flavor and airy volume to this cake. Always use room-temperature eggs for baking.
• All-purpose flour: To ensure the airiest cakes, measure flour properly by filling the cup and then swiping away the excess.
• Baking cocoa: Cocoa powder gives this cake and frosting their intense chocolate flavor, so use a brand you think tastes great.
• Baking powder: A dash of baking powder leavens or lifts the cake. Remember: Baking soda and baking powder aren’t interchangeable.
• Salt: A pinch of salt rounds out the flavors of the cake, making it tasty and extra chocolaty.
• Vanilla extract: Need to restock? Try our favorite vanilla brands, or make homemade extract.
• Miniature marshmallows: The neatest trick of this cake? After baking, you’ll sprinkle mini marshmallows over the warm cake and return it to the oven for a few moments.
• Frosting: Along with butter and baking cocoa, you’ll need light, sweet confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) and whole milk for the frosting. You can use lower-fat dairy if you like.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and cocoa. Using hand beaters or a stand mixer on medium speed, beat the sugar into the chocolate mix until smooth, one to two minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the batter is fluffy, two to three minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract until just incorporated.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the batter. Stir until just combined.

Editor’s Tip: Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the flour. That can activate the gluten and make the cake tough.

Step 3: Bake the cake

Transfer the batter to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Turn the oven off.

Step 4: Top the cake with marshmallows

Sprinkle the mini marshmallows evenly across the top of the cake. Return the pan to the oven and let it sit for two to three minutes (with the oven off) until the marshmallows melt. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely.

Step 5: Make the frosting

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cocoa over medium-high speed until smooth, two to three minutes. Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar, beating over medium-low speed. Beat in the milk and whisk until fluffy, two to three minutes.

Step 6: Finish the cake and serve

Once the cake is cool, carefully spread the frosting over the marshmallow layer. Slice and serve.

Editor’s Tip: The cake may be a bit lumpy and uneven, but that’s part of the charm.

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Mississippi Mud Cake Variations

• Top with nuts: Many Mississippi mud cake recipes include sprinkled pecans over the frosting. You could also try walnuts if you prefer.
• Make it gluten-free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a store-bought gluten-free flour blend or a homemade gluten-free flour mix.
• Double down on chocolate: Stir chocolate chips into the batter or sprinkle them over the frosting.

How to Store Mississippi Mud Cake

Leftover Mississippi mud cake can be stored at room temperature on the counter or in the refrigerator wrapped in storage wrap or foil. It will last three days on the counter and up to five days in the fridge.

Can you freeze Mississippi mud cake?

Yes, most cakes freeze well, including our recipe for Mississippi mud cake. Place the frosted cake in the freezer for an hour to let the frosting set, then wrap it in two layers of storage wrap and one layer of aluminum foil. It will keep well for up to three months. Defrost the cake in the refrigerator the night before you want to serve it.

Mississippi Mud Cake Tips

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

How do you get a clean slice of Mississippi mud cake?

The secret to cutting the cake properly is to run a serrated knife under hot water for a few seconds. Dry it, then make the first slice. Wipe, rinse and dry the knife between every slice.

Why is my Mississippi mud cake tough and rubbery?

There are two leading causes of a tough Mississippi mud pie cake recipe. First, overbaking. Never overcook a cake, especially one that’s meant to be dense and moist, like mud cake. (The clue is in the name!) Bake until the cake is just set at the center. Check it starting several minutes before the suggested baking time. Overcooking causes moisture to evaporate from the cake, making it dry and tough.

Second, don’t overmix the cake batter. Standard flour contains gluten—the protein that makes baked goods bind together. When overworked, gluten becomes tough (think chewy bagels and breads). Not what you want for cakes! Stir until the flour is just incorporated into the batter.

What can you serve with a recipe for Mississippi mud cake?

This 13×9 dessert is one of our favorite cakes to share, so it’s a natural fit for a holiday party since the layers of cake and confectionery feel special. But the frosted top is cozily imperfect and casual, so it’s also an excellent cake for an event like a game-day potluck or a birthday party.