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Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake

This Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake recipe is a decadent homemade chocolate cake. The gooey marshmallow and toasted pecan topping is smothered with a fudgy frosting that makes it impossible to resist.

Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake

Easy Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe

Mississippi Mud Cake is another tried and true Southern classic that has rotated through Southern kitchens and adorned potluck tables for eons. When you research the origin, there are several explanations for how this cake got its name. All I know for sure is this, it’s always a hit, and it’s good to the very last crumb. I know many Mississippi mud cake recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. What a treasure.

Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake

How to Make the Best Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Mississippi Mud Cake: Cocoa powder dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water, butter, chocolate chips melted with heavy cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, large eggs, buttermilk and vanilla extract.
  • For the topping you’ll need: One 11 ounce bag of mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla or almond extract and heavy cream.
  • Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: one 11 x 15 x 2 inch baking pan, a hand mixer or a stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, a silicone spatula to scrape the bowl, a saucepan to make the chocolate frosting and an offset spatula to spread it evenly on top.
  • Don’t be intimidated by the double chocolate cake portion of this recipe as each step only takes minutes. That said, it this Mississippi Mud Cake recipe does make a large amount of batter. It really does use a larger 11 x 15 x 2 inch pan pan to fit the cake and toppings, too.
  • If you’d prefer to make this cake using a cake mix, I recommend using a fudge cake mix. Prepare per the directions on the box for making as a sheet cake. When doing so, begin the recipe directions on how to top the cake with marshmallows, pecans and frosting after baking. A cake mix version will make less batter so a 13 x 9 inch pan will work.
  • If you’d like to make this cake with another made-from-scratch chocolate cake try my Chocolate Buttermilk Cake in a 13 x 9 inch sheet pan, instead.
  • Use an 11 x 15 x 2 inch pan for the double fudge chocolate cake recipe as written. A smaller pan will only work if you choose to use a cake mix or chocolate buttermilk cake recipe.
  • Store leftover Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week.
step-by-step images and ingredients for chocolate cake

How to Make Double Fudge Mississippi Cake

Scroll down fo full printable recipe:

  • Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter and flour an 11x15x2 inch metal baking pan or spray with baking spray. Set aside.
  • Hot Water – Mix together the hot water and cocoa powder until dissolved. Set aside.
  • Melt Chips – Melt chocolate chips with heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl until completely smooth.
  • Creamed Ingredients – Cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanillas until fully combined. Add eggs one at a time stopping to scrape the bowl periodically.
  • combine – Add the dissolved cocoa mixture to the mixing bowl. Continue to beat for another 1-2 minutes until the ingredients are combined.
  • Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
  • Add to Creamed Mixture -Add to the mixing bowl alternatively with the buttermilk.
  • Add the melted semi-sweet chocolate.
  • Transfer to Pan – Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle shows moist crumbs.
  • Marshmallows – Remove from the oven and immediately arrange mini marshmallows on top. Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes to allow the marshmallows to soften.
  • Sprinkle with pecans reserving 1/4 cup for garnishing. Set aside while you prepare icing.
  • Chocolate Icing – Melt butter, heavy cream and cocoa together in a saucepan over medium-low until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Mix well.
  • Powdered Sugar – Use an electric mixer to gradually add powdered sugar. May add more cream to thin to drizzle consistency, if needed.
  • Pour warm icing over marshmallows and pecans. Sprinkle finely chopped pecans on top to garnish if desired. Set aside to cool.
Mississippi Mud Cake in a pan

More Southern Style Chocolate Cake Recipes to Make

WE love our big beautiful cakes in the South and if you’ve been with me very long you know full well my love of baking. More chocolate cake recipes you may also like to try:

Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

Double Fudge Mississippi Mud Cake

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Cooling time4 hours
Total Time5 hours
Course: Cakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: chocolate-cake-recipes, double-fudge-mississippi-mud-cake
Servings: 36 pieces
Calories: 329kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • Double Fudge Cake:
  • 1/2 cup cocoa dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water
  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips melted with 3 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla
  • 1 10.5 oz bag mini marshmallows
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans divided
  • Icing:
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream plus additional as needed to thin
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter and flour an 11x15x2 inch metal baking pan or spray with baking spray. Set aside. [Tip: A smaller 13 x 9 inch pan won't hold the batter, toppings and icing.]
  • Mix together the hot water and cocoa powder until dissolved. Set aside.
  • Melt chocolate chips with heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl using the melt function until completely smooth.
  • Batter: In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Cream for 2-3 minutes until fully combined. Add eggs one at a time stopping to scrape the bowl periodically.
  • Add the dissolved cocoa mixture to the mixing bowl. Continue to beat for another 1-2 minutes until the ingredients are combined.
  • Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the mixing bowl alternatively with the buttermilk. (Tip: A whisk works perfectly for sifting)
  • Add the melted semi-sweet chocolate. Beat the batter for 1-2 minutes stopping scrape the sides of the bowl periodically.
  • Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bounce on counter a couple of times to settle remove trapped air.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle shows moist crumbs.
  • Remove from the oven and immediately arrange mini marshmallows on top. Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes to allow the marshmallows to soften. Sprinkle with pecans reserving 1/4 cup for garnishing. Set aside while you prepare icing.
  • Icing: Melt butter, heavy cream and cocoa together in a saucepan over medium-low. Melt just until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Mix well.
  • Use an electric mixer to gradually add powdered sugar. May add more cream to thin to drizzle consistency, if needed.
  • Pour warm icing over marshmallows and pecans. Sprinkle finely chopped pecans on top to garnish if desired. Set aside to cool.
  • May store leftovers tightly covered chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • To toast the pecans. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer. Toast at 350°F for 6-8 minutes.
  • If you’d prefer to make this cake using a cake mix, I recommend using a fudge flavored cake mix. Prepare per the directions on the box for making in a sheet pan. Begin the recipe with marshmallows, pecans and icing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

6 Comments

  1. Hi Jessica! The espresso really enhances the chocolate flavor of the cake. Leaving it out wouldn’t change any of the amounts otherwise, and the cake will work perfectly. If you want a tender cake you can use 1/2 AP flour and 1/2 cake flour, but preparing it using all AP flour is yummy. How wonderful, you’re making this for such a special occasion, it’s a true classic. Happy baking!

  2. Hello Melissa, I have a question, can I leave out the expresso or is it essential to the moistness of the cake? Would it still be 1/2 cup of Cocoa powder with the water if I left it out? I am making this for my boyfriend’s birthday party, doing all Soul Food, and I think this would be a perfect dessert!

  3. Hi Marja! That’s a great question. I have never made this cake in two smaller pans. The challenge would not be the batter, which would probably fit in 2 8 x 8 pans, but adding the toppings and keeping them in place. I wish I could tell you for sure. If you try it, just be prepared to adjust the amount of toppings as you go. [they are what makes this cake ☺] Let me know how it goes. Thanks for your visit. ~ Melissa

  4. Hi, i just read your recepi and it looks delicious! But i don’t have tast size backing dish. Can it be done in two 8 x 8 inch backing dishes? Or is that a great challenge? I hope it can!

  5. Wow, this is just what I need right now. Wish I lived closer cause I’m guessing you have leftovers. This dessert looks fabulous- nothing could be more decadent than this. Wow again!

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