Okay, gather ‘round, friend! Let me tell you about my absolute favorite, go-to dessert: Mississippi Mud Pie. Oh my goodness, just saying the name makes my mouth water! I still remember the first time I ever tasted a real, homemade Mississippi Mud Pie. It was at my Aunt Carol’s house during a sweltering summer family reunion. The air conditioning was struggling, the kids were running wild, and the adults were swapping stories and swatting mosquitos. But then, Aunt Carol appeared with this glorious, decadent Mississippi Mud Pie. One bite, and all the chaos faded away. The rich chocolate, the creamy filling, the crumbly crust…it was pure heaven. It was so good that day, that I wanted to recreate it.

Honestly, the first few times I tried to make it? Total disasters! I either burned the crust, the filling was too runny, or the chocolate ganache looked like something out of a horror movie. There was one time I had a mud pie recipe with chocolate and sugar and it tasted nothing like Carol’s. It was so frustrating, but I was determined to get it right. After a lot of trial and error (and a few tears), I finally perfected my own version of this classic Southern Mississippi Mud Pie. Now, it’s a family favorite, and I make it for every special occasion – birthdays, holidays, even just a random Tuesday when we need a little extra chocolate in our lives.

What I love most about this Mississippi Mud Pie is that it’s surprisingly easy to make, even though it looks fancy. And it’s the perfect dessert for a busy mom like me because you can make the crust and the filling ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready to serve, just whip up the topping and you’re good to go! It perfectly aligns with my kitchen philosophy: make something that’s absolutely delicious, but doesn’t keep you chained to the stove all day. So, are you ready to bake a Mississippi Mud Pie? Trust me, it’s easier than you think, and the results are totally worth it. Let’s get started! You could even have some caramel apple slices with chocolate drizzle for dipping into the pie!

What You’ll Need for This Mississippi Mud Pie

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! For my Mississippi Mud Pie, I always go for quality. Good chocolate makes all the difference! Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups chocolate wafer crumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Filling:

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Topping:

1 ½ cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate shavings, for garnish

I always use Ghirardelli chocolate for the filling; I find it gives the perfect richness and depth of flavor to the Mississippi Mud Pie. You can find it at most grocery stores in the baking aisle. For the crust, you can buy pre-made chocolate wafer crumbs (Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers work great), or you can crush your own in a food processor. Here’s a Mississippi Mud Pie trick I learned: if you’re crushing your own wafers, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the crumbs for an extra layer of chocolate flavor.

Now, about those eggs – make sure they’re at room temperature! It helps them incorporate better into the batter. And here’s a time-saving tip for all my busy moms out there: you can melt the chocolate and butter for the filling in the microwave! Just do it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, to prevent burning.

For cost-saving, I usually buy chocolate wafers in bulk. They last for a while and are great for other desserts too! And if you have leftover heavy cream, you can always use it to make a delicious broccoli cheddar soup with shells! Now, for storing leftovers of the Mississippi Mud Pie ingredients, be sure to keep any unused chocolate wafers in an airtight container. Also, any chocolate you dont use for the easy mud pie needs to be stored in a cool, dark place. Now that we’ve got our ingredients ready, let’s get baking!

Let’s Make This Mississippi Mud Pie Together

Okay, friend, let’s get our hands dirty and make this Mississippi Mud Pie together! Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, let’s get started on the crust.
Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate wafer crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix well until everything is evenly moistened.
Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the plate. Make sure the crust is nice and compact!
Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes. This will help it set and prevent it from getting soggy. While the crust is baking, I usually start prepping the filling ingredients. Timing is everything, right?
Let the crust cool completely. This is important! You don’t want to pour the filling into a hot crust.
Make the filling: In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (or in the microwave, as I mentioned before), melt the chocolate and butter together, stirring until smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Make sure the sugar is fully incorporated.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and salt. Don’t overbeat the eggs! You want the filling to be smooth and creamy, not airy.
Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Spread it evenly. Don’t worry if your Mississippi Mud Pie has a few cracks on top! I learned the hard way with Mississippi Mud Pie that it’s all part of the rustic charm.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. In my kitchen, Mississippi Mud Pie usually takes about 32 minutes, but oven times can vary. So, keep an eye on it. While the Mississippi Mud Pie is cooking, I’ll usually do a quick tidy up in the kitchen and get the topping ingredients ready. Multitasking, right?
Let the pie cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This is crucial! The Mississippi Mud Pie needs to chill to set properly. Your Mississippi Mud Pie should smell like rich chocolate and vanilla at this point.
Make the topping: In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat the cream, or it will turn into butter!
Spread the whipped cream over the chilled pie and garnish with chocolate shavings. Now, step back and admire your creation! You did it! That’s how you make a delicious Mississippi Mud Pie.

How I Love to Serve This Mississippi Mud Pie

Okay, now for the fun part – serving this masterpiece! My family loves this Mississippi Mud Pie when I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The cold ice cream is the perfect contrast to the rich, chocolatey pie. It really gives the chocolate mud pie a kick. We also like to have it with a cup of hot coffee. The bitterness of the coffee cuts through the sweetness of the pie perfectly.

This Mississippi Mud Pie is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or any special occasion. It’s also great for those times when you just need a little chocolate therapy.

For presentation, I like to dust the top of the pie with cocoa powder or arrange some fresh berries around the edge. It just adds a little something extra. The southern mud pie aesthetic!

If you have extra Mississippi Mud Pie (which is rare in my house!), you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. But honestly, it never lasts that long!

For seasonal variations, you can add a layer of peppermint extract to the whipped cream during the holidays or top the pie with fresh strawberries in the summertime. The possibilities are endless! Friends always ask for this Mississippi Mud Pie recipe whenever I make it for parties. They can’t believe how easy it is to make.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try making a Mississippi Mud Pie milkshake! Just blend a slice of pie with some milk and ice cream. Trust me, it’s amazing. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, check out this lasagna soup with ricotta mozzarella!

Your Mississippi Mud Pie Questions Answered

Alright, let’s tackle some of the most common questions I get about making Mississippi Mud Pie. I’ve made a few mistakes myself, so I’m happy to share my wisdom (and my mishaps!)

Q: My crust is always soggy. What am I doing wrong?

A: Ah, the soggy crust! We’ve all been there. First, make sure you’re baking the crust long enough. Second, let it cool completely before adding the filling. You know what I do when my Mississippi Mud Pie crust comes out soggy? I brush it with a thin layer of melted chocolate before adding the filling. It creates a barrier and prevents the crust from getting soggy.

Q: My filling is too runny. How can I fix it?

A: Runny filling can be frustrating! Make sure you’re baking the pie long enough. The filling should be set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. Also, be sure to chill the pie for at least 2 hours before serving. If you still have issues, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling mixture to help thicken it. The easy mud pie is supposed to be easy, right?

Q: Can I use a different kind of chocolate?

A: Absolutely! While I prefer unsweetened chocolate for the filling, you can use semi-sweet or even dark chocolate if you like. Just adjust the amount of sugar accordingly.

Q: Can I make this pie ahead of time?

A: Yes! In fact, I recommend it. You can make the crust and the filling a day or two in advance. Just store them separately and assemble the pie when you’re ready to serve.

Q: Can I freeze Mississippi Mud Pie?

A: You can, but the texture of the whipped cream might change slightly. If you’re going to freeze it, I recommend freezing it without the whipped cream topping and adding that right before serving.

Q: My whipped cream always deflates. What am I doing wrong?

A: Overbeating the whipped cream is the most common culprit. Be sure to beat it until stiff peaks form, but no further. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch or powdered sugar to the cream to help stabilize it.

Q: Can I make this pie gluten-free?

A: Yes! Simply use gluten-free chocolate wafer crumbs for the crust. There are plenty of great gluten-free options available these days.

Reader feedback on my Mississippi Mud Pie recipes has always been positive. Many readers said it brought them back to childhood, reminded them of their grandmothers’ cooking, and all sorts of lovely sentiments.

My Final Thoughts on This Mississippi Mud Pie

This Mississippi Mud Pie recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my Aunt Carol and all those wonderful family gatherings. It’s a taste of home, a taste of comfort, and a taste of pure chocolatey goodness. It’s also a reminder that even the most daunting recipes can be mastered with a little patience and a lot of love (and chocolate!). So, it’s a creamy chocolate pie you can share with the people you love.

Here are my Mississippi Mud Pie Pro Tips from years of experience:

Use high-quality chocolate: It makes a world of difference!
Don’t overbake the filling: It should be slightly soft in the center.
Chill the pie thoroughly: This is essential for the perfect texture.

Now, for some variations! My family loves this Mississippi Mud Pie with a few different twists:

Peanut Butter Cup: Add a layer of chopped peanut butter cups to the filling before baking. My son, Leo, is obsessed with this version!
Espresso: Add a tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the filling for a mocha flavor. My husband, David, loves this one.
Salted Caramel: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the whipped cream topping. I am personally obsessed with this.

Ultimately, I hope you make this Mississippi Mud Pie your own. Add your own personal touch, experiment with different flavors, and most importantly, have fun! And if you’re wondering, “Can I make it?” you absolutely can! With this mud pie recipe.

I hope you found this article on Spicy Southern Kitchen that is similar to this one.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s how we learn! And remember, even if your Mississippi Mud Pie doesn’t look perfect, it will still taste amazing. So, go ahead, give it a try. I know you’ll love it! And you can even join this facebook group that has a Mississippi mud pie recipe with chocolate and sugar. It’s also an easy decadent Mississippi Mud Pie recipe.

Mississippi Mud Pie

Print Recipe

Indulge in the rich decadence of Mississippi Mud Pie! This classic dessert features a fudgy brownie base, a creamy chocolate pudding layer, and a generous topping of marshmallows.

Author: Liliana
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Brownie Layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For the Pudding Layer:
1 (3.9 ounce) package chocolate instant pudding mix
3 cups milk
For the Topping:
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup chocolate syrup, for drizzling (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.
Bake the Crust: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely.
Make the Brownie Layer: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Bake the Brownie Layer: Pour the brownie batter over the cooled crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool completely.
Prepare the Pudding Layer: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chocolate instant pudding mix and milk until smooth. Let it set for 5 minutes.
Assemble the Pie: Spread the chocolate pudding evenly over the cooled brownie layer.
Add Marshmallows: Sprinkle the miniature marshmallows evenly over the pudding layer.
Broil (Optional): If desired, broil the pie for 1-2 minutes, or until the marshmallows are lightly toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Drizzle with chocolate syrup, if desired.

Notes

For an extra touch of flavor, try adding a tablespoon of coffee liqueur to the pudding mixture.