Mississippi Mud Cake is a rich, indulgent dessert that’s as delicious as it sounds! It’s a decadent chocolate cake topped with gooey marshmallows, a fudgy layer of chocolate, and a crunchy pecan topping. Perfect for special occasions or any time you’re craving something sweet and decadent!
Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box (18.25 oz) chocolate cake mix (or your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup water (or as directed on the cake mix box)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Marshmallow Layer:
- 2 cups mini marshmallows (or regular marshmallows, cut into smaller pieces)
For the Chocolate Layer:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional, but adds great crunch and flavor)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the directions on the box. Typically, this involves mixing the cake mix with vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth it into an even layer.
- Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool slightly, but don’t let it cool completely.
2. Add the Marshmallow Layer:
- Once the cake has cooled for about 5 minutes, spread the mini marshmallows evenly over the top of the cake while it’s still warm. The marshmallows will melt and soften as you bake the cake a bit longer in the next step.
3. Bake with Marshmallows:
- Place the cake with the marshmallows back into the oven for 5-7 minutes, just long enough for the marshmallows to puff up and soften. Remove from the oven.
4. Prepare the Chocolate Topping:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and heavy cream together, stirring frequently.
- Once melted and combined, stir in the chocolate chips and continue to stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Assemble the Cake:
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the marshmallow layer, spreading it evenly across the top of the cake.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans (if using) on top of the chocolate for a nice crunch.
6. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cake to cool completely before serving. This gives the chocolate topping time to set up.
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
Tips:
- Customization: You can add other nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, if you prefer. Some people also love to add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top!
- Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or refrigerate if you prefer a firmer texture on the chocolate topping.
This Mississippi Mud Cake is the perfect combination of chocolatey goodness, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy nuts. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and the rich layers make it ideal for parties, potlucks, or any chocolate lover’s dream dessert! Enjoy!