Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
Mississippi Mud Cake is a rich, decadent chocolate dessert featuring a moist cocoa-infused cake base topped with a luscious marshmallow layer and smooth chocolate ganache. Finished off with toasted pecans and optional coconut, this indulgent treat offers a perfect balance of fudgy texture and gooey sweetness, ideal for chocolate lovers seeking a show-stopping homemade cake.
- Author: Dylan
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cake Ingredients
- 16 tablespoons (227g) unsalted butter, cold
- 1/3 cup (28g) Dutch-process cocoa
- 1 cup (227g) hot water
- 2 cups (240g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 2 cups (397g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1/2 cup (113g) sour cream, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
Topping Ingredients
- 2 cups (246g) marshmallow spread, store-bought
- 1 cup (170g) semisweet chocolate chips or chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup (113g) heavy cream
- 1 cup (113g) pecans, toasted and diced
- 1 cup (85g) toasted coconut, optional
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour a 9″ x 13″ cake pan to ensure the cake does not stick after baking.
- Melt Butter and Mix Cocoa: Melt the cold unsalted butter. Stir in the Dutch-process cocoa and hot water until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Pour the cocoa mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until blended; the batter will appear slightly lumpy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract to the batter. Beat the mixture until nearly smooth, allowing a few small lumps to remain for better texture.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until a toothpick or tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Apply Marshmallow Layer: Remove the cake from the oven and let it sit for one minute. Spoon the marshmallow spread onto the warm cake, wait 2 minutes, then gently spread it evenly across the surface. Allow the cake to cool to lukewarm, about one hour.
- Make Chocolate Ganache: Combine semisweet chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 60 to 90 seconds until the cream is very hot. Stir continuously until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Finish the Cake: Drizzle the chocolate ganache over the cooled cake topped with marshmallow. Sprinkle toasted pecans and optional toasted coconut over the ganache.
- Store Properly: Cover the cake well and store at room temperature for up to a day, or refrigerate for up to a week for extended freshness.
Notes
- For best texture, use room temperature eggs and sour cream.
- Espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Store-bought marshmallow spread works best for the gooey topping; marshmallow fluff or homemade marshmallow cream can be alternatives.
- Optional toasted coconut adds extra crunch and flavor but can be omitted for a nut-only topping.
- The cake can be made a day ahead and stored refrigerated to allow flavors to meld.
Keywords: Mississippi Mud Cake, chocolate cake, marshmallow topping, chocolate ganache, pecans, rich chocolate dessert, homemade cake