Mississippi Mud Cake
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Updated: 07/30/25
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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Get ready to indulge in this homemade Mississippi Mud Cake made completely from scratch! Rich, fudgy chocolate cake topped with gooey marshmallows and a decadent chocolate frosting—this classic Southern dessert is pure chocolate heaven.
Your family is going to flip over this moist chocolate mud cake! A topping of rich chocolate icing poured over melty marshmallows make this cake muddy and tons of fun to eat. Volunteer to bring dessert to the next family get together because everyone is going to love this decadent cake – there won’t be any leftovers! This chocolate mud cake recipe is truly a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
Mississippi mud cake is named so because of how similar the marshmallow and chocolate frosting topping looks to the banks of the Mississippi River.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chances are, you already have everything you need at home!
- This is a super easy dessert that will impress your guests because of how moist and fudgy it is.
- The chocolate frosting-topped marshmallows add such a unique flavor and texture to this dessert.
Ingredients For Mississippi Mud Cake
Cake
- Butter – Because everything is better with butter. Adds to the richness of this decadent Mississippi cake.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Unsweetened cocoa powder is the way to go so you can control just how sweet the cake is.
- Vegetable oil – Really helps with the moistness of the cake.
- Water – This will contribute to the moisture of the cake as well as activate the baking soda.
- All-purpose flour – AP flour is your best bet for a perfectly baked cake following this recipe. You should be able to use a 1:1 gluten free flour with similar results if necessary.
- Granulated sugar – Offers sweetness and dissolves easily.
- Salt – Salt balances the sweetness of this cake.
- Buttermilk – You can easily make your own homemade buttermilk.
- Eggs – Eggs are a great ingredient to use that will bind dry ingredients together so the cake isn’t crumbly.
- Baking soda – The leavening agent in this indulgent dessert.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor in this Mississippi Mud Cake.
Frosting
- Miniature marshmallows – Mini white marshmallows will be the best on this cake. Colored marshmallows have a fruity flavor.
- Butter – Butter offers the rich, creamy texture we love in a good cake frosting.
- Milk – Use whatever milk you have in your home. You can also use cream if you prefer.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Of course we’ve got to do a chocolate frosting – it wouldn’t look like mud without it!
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor of the chocolate frosting.
- Powdered sugar – This sweetener dissolves really well when it is added to frostings.
How To Make Mississippi Mud Cake
In a large mixing bowl combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar and salt.
In a medium size saucepan combine the butter, cocoa, vegetable oil and water. Turn heat to medium-high, stir constantly while it comes to a boil, remove and pour over the dry ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla extract to the bowl. Stir to combine.
Pour cake mixture into the prepared pan.
Bake in a preheated oven 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from the oven.
Add the marshmallows top the top of the hot cake.
To make frosting, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add milk and cocoa powder and whisk well. Cook for about 2-3 more minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to make the frosting smooth.
Drizzle warm frosting immediately over cake. Refrigerate cake for about 30 minutes or until frosting has set.
Storage
Store Mississippi mud cake at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze this cake in an airtight container once it has cooled completely. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
This Mississippi mud cake recipe is a must try the next time you are in charge of making dessert. It is rich and fudgy, just like chocolate cake should be – but the topping of marshmallows and chocolate icing really make it an over the top dessert that everyone is going to go crazy for.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
Rich homemade Mississippi Mud Cake topped with gooey marshmallows and chocolate frosting—a decadent dessert that’s pure chocolate bliss.
pieces
Equipment
Ingredients
Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar and salt. Mix until combined. Set aside.
- In a medium size saucepan combine the butter, cocoa, vegetable oil and water. Turn heat to medium-high, stir constantly while it comes to a boil, remove and pour over the dry ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla extract to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Pour cake mixture into the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from the oven.
- Add the marshmallows top the top of the hot cake. Once the frosting is made, pour on top of the cake.
- Put the cake in the fridge for 30 minutes to cool.
For the frosting:
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add milk and cocoa powder and whisk well. Cook for about 2-3 more minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to make the frosting smooth.
- Drizzle warm frosting immediately over cake. Refrigerate cake for about 30 minutes or until frosting has set. Store at room temperature
Tips
Store Mississippi mud cake at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze this cake in an airtight container once it has cooled completely. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 316kcal (16%), Carbohydrates: 55g (18%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 10g (15%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 42mg (14%), Sodium: 173mg (8%), Potassium: 68mg (2%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 43g (48%), Vitamin A: 323IU (6%), Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 24mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
How To Serve Mississippi Mud Cake
Mississippi mud cake is a truly decadent dessert that tastes perfect on it’s own. A glass of cold milk will be the best accompaniment to this dessert. For those feeling a little extra indulgent, offer a dollop of whipped cream on top.
More Great Chocolate Cake Recipes
- Keep the crowd happy with a classic Chocolate Sheet Cake. Moist, fudgy and topped with a silky-smooth frosting, everyone will be coming back for a second piece.
- When you’ve got more homegrown zucchini than you know what to do with, of course you need to bake up a Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake! This cake is so moist and chocolatey, the fact that there is a vegetable in it will be long forgotten.
- Cherry and chocolate is the best combination out there and Chocolate Cherry Bars are sure to be a new household favorite. This is such a great way to elevate a chocolate box cake mix!
- Everyone loves a good poke cake, and our Oreo Poke Cake is a household favorite here! Chocolate cake with pudding and everyone’s favorite cookie is a hit at every cookout!
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