This easy Mississippi mud cake is an old Southern classic, beloved for its easy preparation and rich, chocolatey flavor. Marshmallows melt on the warm cake, followed by the chocolate frosting that’s also poured over the warm cake, creating a fudgy topping that’s insanely good.

A piece of chocolate cake topped with marshmallow and frosting on a white plate, with a bite taken out and placed on a fork beside it. A bowl of marshmallows is in the background.

Did you make mud pies when you were little? I remember playing in the yard with old butter cups, stirring dirt, water, and whatever else would stick together to form perfect mud pies. I also have a small scar on the side of my face as a result of my dog objecting to dining on my tasty mud pies.

Over the years, I’ve learned that actual chocolate, butter, sugar, and flour work better for cooking and for the dog. This easy Mississippi mud cake is one of my favorite iterations of chocolate cake, and it’s a classic Southern favorite. 

The cake derives its name from the dense, dark brown appearance and crackling on top that supposedly resembles the mud from the banks of the Mississippi River. 

Why I love this recipe

EASY: This recipe is easy! The batter and the frosting mix in one bowl, and they are both super easy to make. The cake bakes in a regular 9×13-inch pan. 

TASTE: Melty, gooey chocolate mixed with melty, gooey marshmallows — what’s not to love? This is one of the tastiest chocolate cakes you’ll ever eat.

MAKE-AHEAD: You can make this easy Mississippi mud cake a day or two before you want to serve it. Store it covered at room temperature for up to four days.

I hope you’ll make old-fashioned Mississippi mud cake. I think you’ll love it! But please don’t force your dog to eat it.

Lucy

A rectangular dish of Mississippi mud cake is cut into squares. The cake is topped with a smooth chocolate frosting and white marshmallows are peeking from underneath. A spatula and plates sit nearby.

Ingredient notes

Here are a few things to know about the ingredients:

➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.

Butter: We use unsalted Land o’Lakes butter.

Cocoa: Hershey’s cocoa works perfectly in this recipe.

Marshmallows: Use mini marshmallows.

A rectangular chocolate cake with frosting in a white baking dish, cut into small squares with a few pieces missing.

How to make Mississippi mud cake

  1. Blend the cocoa powder into the melted butter, then add the sugar and eggs and blend.
  2. Stir in flour, nuts if using, salt, and vanilla.
  3. Bake the cake for about 25 minutes and while the cake is baking, make the frosting by blending butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and whole milk until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
  4. Pull the cake from the oven and top it with mini marshmallows, followed by the chocolate frosting.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!

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5 from 4 votes

Easy Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe

This easy Mississippi mud cake recipe is made the old-fashioned way with marshmallows and a fudgy frosting.
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
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A piece of chocolate cake with gooey chocolate frosting and marshmallow topping on a white plate.

Ingredients 

Cake

  • ½ cup cocoa
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups chopped nuts (optional)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 10 ounces mini marshmallows (one bag)

Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup whole milk
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Instructions 

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Whisk ½ cup cocoa into 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted until well blended. 
    A mixing bowl containing a yellow liquid and brown powder sits on a counter, with additional bowls of ingredients nearby. A blue towel lies beside the bowl.
  • Add 2 cups granulated sugar and 4 large eggs, room temperature, and either whisk or use a hand mixer. 
    A glass bowl with creamed sugar and butter topped with an egg, next to a bowl of cocoa powder and a carton of eggs on a white surface.
  • Beat in 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups chopped nuts (optional), 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
    A glass bowl filled with chocolate batter sits on a counter, with a bowl of mini marshmallows and a bowl of powdered sugar nearby.
  • Scrape batter into prepared dish and bake for about 25 minutes. 
    A white baking dish filled with chocolate batter on a light surface, with a small bowl of marshmallows and a small bowl of a white ingredient nearby.
  • Remove the cake from the oven and immediately top with 10 ounces mini marshmallows (one bag). Then top the marshmallows with chocolate frosting.
    A rectangular baking dish filled with numerous small white marshmallows, surrounded by ingredients like butter and flour.

Frosting

  • Using a hand mixer, blend together 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/3 cup cocoa powder and 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar. Mix in ½ cup whole milk until frosting is smooth and creamy.
    A glass bowl filled with smooth cake batter on a light-colored countertop beside a textured blue cloth.
  • Frosting will be thick, so just drop it over the marshmallows and then smooth out. Allow the cake to cool before cutting.
    A white rectangular baking dish filled with a chocolate dessert with a textured surface. The edges of a white crust are visible along the sides. A blue cloth is partially seen in the lower left corner.

Nutrition

Serving: 12servings, Calories: 424kcal, Carbohydrates: 66g, Protein: 3g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 105mg, Sodium: 181mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 47g
Course: Cakes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 424
Keyword: mississippi mud cake
Leave a comment and ★★★★★ rating below!

Questions and tips

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.

What is Mississippi mud cake?

Mississippi mud cake is a moist and rich, old-fashioned, classic Southern chocolate sheet cake. The warm cake is topped with marshmallows and a fudgy frosting. Supposedly, someone decided the cake’s appearance resembled the banks of the Mississippi River, and the name was born.

Can you freeze the easy Mississippi mud cake?

Yes, you can! I like to place the cake uncovered overnight in the freezer. Once it’s frozen, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of tin foil. You can store the cake in the freezer for 3-4 months.

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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Recipe Rating




5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

4 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    I haven’t tried your recipe yet, but I am anxious to try them. My first challenge is your Mississippi Mud Cake. I can’t wait.

    Reply