Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe (Under an Hour)

Mississippi mud cake—a relative to the popular Mississippi mud pie—is a Southern classic for good reason. The chocolate sheet cake is topped with a layer of mini marshmallows, sometimes nuts, and cooked chocolate icing. When layered together, the cake resembles the muddy terrain along the Mississippi River and tastes incredibly delicious.

This recipe is low effort and high reward. The cake comes together easily, but a few thoughtful techniques make it taste like you spent hours on it. Aren’t those always the best kinds of desserts?

The cake itself is a true one-bowl situation that’s fuss-free and bakes beautifully plush, light, and lofty every time, acting as the perfect base. The marshmallows create a sweet, bumpy surface for a muddy look, and the little divots perfectly catch the toasted pecans. Finally, though cooking the icing may sound tricky, it’s actually easier than whipped frosting and comes out shiny, silky, and decadently chocolatey.

All the magic comes from the combination of flavors and textures. Perfect for the chocolate fiends among us (raises hand), this cake has a little something for everyone and is easy enough to whip up at a moment’s notice.

Tips for Making Mississippi Mud Cake

• Take care to line and grease all sides of the baking pan as the marshmallows get sticky when they are melted slightly.
• If your cocoa or powdered sugar is overly lumpy, sift them first. 
• Though tempting, don’t heat the marshmallows so much that they fully melt and/or toast. This will lead to a thin, sugary layer of marshmallow rather than a thick, pillowy layer that can hold up to the icing. 
• Avoid making the icing in advance. It will need reheating and can become too thick. It’s quick and easy to make, so whip it up when you’re ready to frost the cake.
• Spray your knife with nonstick cooking spray before slicing the cake to help keep the marshmallow from sticking to it for cleaner cuts. 

Sheet Cake Recipes