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Easy Mississippi Mud Cake

ByJennifer Osterholt Updated

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A rich brownie like base that’s full of coconut and pecans blends well with a layer of marshmallow cream and coating of chocolate frosting on top of this Mississippi Mud Cake.

This old fashioned cake is so easy to make and the marshmallow layer adds visual appeal and a fun surprise to the texture and flavor!

Cross section of an easy and delicious layered Mississippi Mud Cake on a red and white napkin.

Old Fashioned Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe

With a name inspired by dark mud on the bottom of the mighty Mississippi, there’s a variety of hidden things in the base layer of this cake. Spreading marshmallow creme on the chocolate cake adds a sweet, gooey layer.

The chopped pecans are necessary in this southern cake recipe. If you omit the coconut and pecans then it’s similar to our Chocolatetown Cake or Chocolate Cake with Mayonnaise. We recommend going big and following the full recipe or trying a more basic option like our Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake.

Fork cutting through layers of creamy chocolate frosting, marshmallow and a cake with a thick chocolate base on a white plate with the full 9 x 13" mud cake in the background.

We made Chicken Noodle Soup in a roaster and served Amish Pineapple Cake and this chocolate cake option at a local shelter. While the mud cake needs to stay chilled to keep the layers stacked, we still got lots of compliments on all of the recipes.

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Spatula lifting a piece of old fashioned cake with a thick mud like base full of coconut and chopped pecans, then a coating of marshmallow creme and layer of chocolate frosting on top with the pan resting on a red and white plaid napkin.

Ingredients Needed

  • Chocolate Cake Base – Butter, eggs, sugar, flour, cocoa, vanilla, flaked coconut and pecans.
  • Marshmallow Layer – Through testing we learned that using a jar of marshmallow creme is easier than melting mini marshmallows.
  • Frosting – A can of chocolate frosting or a batch of homemade Chocolate Icing both work great.
Ingredients to make Mississippi mud cake are cocoa, sugar, coconut, pecans, vanilla, flour, eggs, butter and marshmallow creme on a wooden counter top.

Step By Step Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bow beat butter until smooth. Then mix in eggs.
  2. Add sugar and vanilla, stir again.
  3. In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients together and slowly add to egg and butter mixture.
Handheld mixer ready to stir eggs into a butter and sugar mixture in a mixing bowl.
Flaked coconut and sugar added to a mixing bowl with eggs and butter.
  1. Spread into a greased 9 x 13″ pan and bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Immediately after removing from the oven spread a layer of marshmallow creme on top. It will spread much easier over a warm cake.

Allow the cake to cool before adding frosting.

Spatula spreading a big jar of marshmallow creme over top of chocolate mud cake.
Butter knife spreading chocolate frosting over a smooth marshmallow layer on a cake in a 9 x 13" pan on a red and white plaid napkin.
  1. Cover and chill before serving. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator to help keep the layers in tact.

To Save Time

  • I just warmed a can of store-bought chocolate icing in the microwave and it easily pours over top of the soft, warm marshmallows.
  • Serve the cake chilled so the marshmallow creme layer stays firm, it will begin to slide a bit as it softens.
Side view of rich and creamy piece of Mississippi Mud Cake with nuts and coconut for extra texture and depth of flavor on a white plate with a fork and the full cake in the background.

Easy Chocolate Dessert Recipes

Close up fork ready to scoop up a bit of a chocolate mud cake with three delicious layers including marshmallow cream in the center.

Easy Mississippi Mud Cake

Created by Jennifer Osterholt
Servings: 16 pieces
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
A rich brownie like base that's full of coconut and pecans blends well with a layer of marshmallow cream and coating of chocolate frosting on top of this Mississippi Mud Cake. This old fashioned cake is so easy to make and the marshmallow layer is a fun surprise!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 eggs slightly beaten
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup coconut flaked
  • 1 cup pecans chopped
  • 13 ounce jar marshmallow creme
  • 1 can chocolate frosting I warm the can in the microwave and pour over the marshmallow layer.

Instructions

  • Grease a 9×13" pan and preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat butter until creamy.
    1 cup butter
  • Add eggs and beat well.
    4 eggs slightly beaten
  • Stir in sugar and vanilla.
    2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • In a separate bowl mix together flour, cocoa, salt and coconut.
    1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup coconut
  • Add to sugar, eggs and butter mixture. Mix gently.
  • Add nuts and stir with a large spoon. This is a heavy batter, do not beat.
    1 cup pecans
  • Spoon batter into greased 9×13" pan. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes.
  • Spread marshmallow creme over the top immediately after removing cake from the oven.
    13 ounce jar marshmallow creme
  • Cover with frosting.
    1 can chocolate frosting
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Nutrition

Calories: 576kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 10gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 256mgSodium: 304mgPotassium: 227mgFiber: 2gSugar: 56gVitamin A: 686IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 3mg

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary greatly depending on specific products are used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator of your choice.

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Originally shared on July 16, 2019 with updates made on April 15, 2025.

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I share how to make life easier while raising a busy family! From delicious desserts to easy dinners and simple breakfast recipes. I’m here to make your time in the kitchen more efficient while building confidence!

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2 Comments

  1. Can you use ready made cheesecake mixture instead of marshmallow cream

    Reply

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