Hello, my sweet wonderful amazing friend.
Two sleeps until Christmas.
And then?
A new year.
A new start.
A new beginning.
When it comes to weeks, these are two of my favorite. Around here we are taking it slowly. We are relaxing and baking and napping and wrapping and just soaking in every minute of the simple joy of putting together a Christmas puzzle.
It’s the little things.
I just baked my mother’s secret recipe for Mississippi Mud Cake and life is a little sweeter here now.
If you liked the other family recipes like the cranberry bread and the snickerdoodles (thank you so much for all the five-star recommendations), you will LOVE this one.
Here’s a recipe to make your holiday a little sweeter.
Mississippi Mud Cake

The BEST Mississippi Mud Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup cocoa (I use 100% pure cocoa)
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs beaten
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- dash salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 small jars marshmallow fluff
Frosting
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Melt butter in the microwave. Whisk in cocoa, sugar, eggs, flour, salt and vanilla. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Add batter to the baking pan.Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes if using jelly roll pan or about 30 to 35 if using 9 x 13 pan checking for doneness as ovens vary. Remove from oven and spread marshmallows on top while the cake is still hot. Add this frosting over melted marshmallow.Let cake cool completely before serving.
- Frosting: Beat all the frosting ingredients together with mixer. Spread over the marshmallows on top of the cake.
Notes
I know it says you are supposed to let the cake cool completely.
But sometimes?
This happens.
I walked around the corner and the corner of the Mississippi Mud Cake was history.
If you only make one new dessert this holiday, let this be the one. This is my favorite dessert of all time. My mother has been making this since I could walk and it never disappoints. The icing and marshmallow and chocolate layers melt in your mouth. This recipe does NOT disappoint—especially served with these copper mules and these cute white baking dishes which are perfect to gift the cake to someone or even bring it to the next party. They match my kitchen perfectly
Happy baking and Merry Christmas.
What is the meaning of this line in the ingredients list: 2 cups 2 cups sugar
Probably a stutter . . . .
It's not such a "secret" recipe any longer! Yum!! Merry Christmas!!! xoxo
I have made this cake for years, but I put chopped pecans in the cake and sometimes the frosting. I know many have nut allergies, so it is good to put it our there without nuts.
Thank you for all the sweet things you have posted this month to help each of us have a very Merry Christmas.. I love all your ideas and your recipes. Have a blessed time on Christmas Day with your family. May God grant you many blessings in the new year.
This recipe brings back memories. My first husbands step mom made this the first time we went to their home. I was so young, I had never baked a cake. She gave me the recipe from Southern Living. It’s definitely a Southern tradition. Yours is simpler and doesn‘t have pecans. Can’t wait to try this version.
This looks so yummy ! IVE got to try it . I agree with your husband I love all desserts hot out of the oven. Thanks for sharing.
[…] KariAnne Wood […]
Yummy! Another great recipe! I made your mom's cranberry good...and oh my! I added orange flavored icing on top, and it was so amazing! Everyone loved it. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
I'm telling my age but, I don't care. When they use to have cooks in school cafeterias that made all the food, our sweet neighbor was the school cook, and she gave mom the recipe and of course I took it with me when I married and love to make it and you are so right it is delicious. Have a Merry Christmas (praying)
Thank you-it looks delicious! Can't wait to try!
Thank you for the recipe. Wishing you and your lovely family a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Yeesh, this Yankee has never even heard of Mississippi Mud Cake. I know I have been missing out! I have never in my life had a cake with marshmallows in it, either - so I am so going to have to try your mother's "now-not-so-very-secret" secret recipe! Thank you for sharing. New Year... and for sure a new cake to bake and try! : - ) Merry Christmas, KA!!!
This looks delicious! I will have to try it.
I've not made this cake in a long time, but like some of the others I put pecans in the icing. I also use marshmallows (which are mentioned in your directions, but not the ingredient list- fluff is mentioned instead). I made your mom's snickerdoodle cookies yesterday. That was the first time I've ever made snickerdoodles. They are good, but I don't feel they turned out like they should have. Merry Christmas!
[…] KariAnne – Thistlewood Farms […]
I made this on Christmas Eve and it was absolutely delicious! I think I've had it or made it many, many years ago - but I'm keeping this recipe in my go to notebook! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your blog and instagram!!
At our house this recipe is called Heavenly Hash and uses marshmallows. Mississippi Mud is an entirely different recipe. Isn't it funny how they have different names?
[…] definitely experienced a few of these • Time’s top 100 photos of 2020 • this cake recipe • this fun chunky knit pillow pattern • I’ve been so good, but these mini […]
This looks amazing, and I can't wait to try it. I started making your Mom's cranberry cake this season for the first time, and, oh wow! My husband said it is his favorite! I think I have made 4 loaves already. It is delish! Thanks, and Happy New Year!