While food writers and scholars continue to debate the origin of this American classic (some claimed it originated in a Vicksburg diner while others, including the acclaimed, Mississippi-born restaurant critic Craig Claiborne, remain skeptics), there's no arguing that this chocolate cake is delicious. It also couldn't be easier to put together.
To make it, a fudgy chocolate cake is baked and topped with mini marshmallows, then baked again to help them adhere. A generous dose of chocolate frosting is poured over to coat the marshmallows for an over-the-top cake with layers of flavor and texture. The hardest part is giving it all time to set before serving. Whether you're heading to a family reunion, last-minute backyard BBQ, potluck, or family cookout, this classic recipe never disappoints.
![Mississippi Mud Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/fjp0gj_tfFr8nPmzNECAfQccefM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_Mississippi-Mud-Cake063_0_0-6b1231f855c64a378fe0f1ac59a7ba12-04acb532cc8a40398924fadeadfe75bf.jpg)
Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
Ingredients
Cake:
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Cooking spray
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3/4 cup (6 oz.) unsalted butter
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2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
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1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
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4 large eggs
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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6 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
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3/4 tsp. baking powder
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Dash of salt
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1 cup chopped pecans
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1 tsp. vanilla extract
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1 (10-oz.) package mini marshmallows
Chocolate Frosting:
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1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter
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1/3 cup whole milk
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1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
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1 (16-oz.) pkg. powdered sugar, sifted
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1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions
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Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 325˚F. Grease a metal 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place butter and chocolate in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds until melted, about 1 minute 30 seconds total. Whisk together sugar, eggs, and melted chocolate mixture in a medium bowl. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into melted chocolate mixture. Fold in pecans and vanilla.
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Spoon batter into prepared baking dish. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, 20 to 21 minutes. Remove cake from oven, and cover top with marshmallows in an even layer. Bake at 325°F until marshmallows are just soft, about 2 minutes.
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While cake is baking, prepare the Chocolate Frosting: Heat butter, milk, and cocoa in a medium saucepan over medium until butter is melted, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring mixture to a boil. Boil 1 minute, and then remove from heat. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla. Immediately drizzle cake with Chocolate Frosting. Let Frosting harden about 2 hours before cutting cake into squares.