The Ultimate Mississippi Mud Pie Recipe

If you’re in the mood for a chocolate indulgence that’ll leave you speechless, you’ve landed in the right spot. This Mississippi Mud Pie has been a cherished recipe in my family for generations, and trust me—it never disappoints. With its irresistible layers and an abundance of chocolate, it’s the ultimate dessert for any chocolate lover.

What Exactly is Mississippi Mud Pie?

Don’t let the name fool you—there’s no actual mud in sight (thank goodness!). This decadent treat is a multi-layered chocolate sensation featuring:

A crisp and buttery graham cracker crust (as crunchy as my morning toast)
A dense, fudgy flourless chocolate cake (as rich as my husband’s humor)
A silky homemade chocolate pudding layer (smoother than my grandbaby’s skin)
A fluffy cloud of freshly whipped cream (as light as a Southern summer breeze)

When these layers come together, they create a chocolate masterpiece that’ll have your taste buds dancing with delight!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Dessert

A dream come true for chocolate lovers (no judgment—we’re all in this together)
Impressive enough for guests but simple enough for a casual dessert
Perfect for making ahead of time, so you can relax later
Feeds a crowd (or one very devoted chocolate fan)
No fancy equipment required—just a bit of good old-fashioned effort

The Key Ingredients in This Chocolate Symphony

Graham crackers (the crunchier, the better)
Bittersweet chocolate (aim for 60% cacao—it’s the perfect balance)
Cocoa powder (unsweetened, like my morning coffee)
Eggs (fresh is best if you can get them)
Heavy cream (because in desserts, calories don’t count, right?)

How to Make Your Own Mississippi Mud Pie

1. Prepare the Crust

Crush the graham crackers (a great way to release stress!)
Mix them with melted butter and sugar
Press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan (work those arm muscles!)
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until your kitchen smells divine

2. Make the Fudgy Cake Layer

Melt the chocolate and butter (try not to eat it all in the process)
Whisk together the cocoa powder, water, salt, and vanilla extract
Beat the egg yolks and sugar until they turn a pale yellow
Gently fold in the whipped egg whites to keep the batter airy
Bake until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle (like me after Thanksgiving dinner)

3. Cook Up the Chocolate Pudding

In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt
Stir in the milk, heavy cream, and egg yolks, then cook over medium heat
Keep stirring constantly until the pudding thickens—your arm might get tired, but it’s worth it!
Once thick, stir in butter, chocolate, and vanilla for extra richness
Let the pudding cool completely before assembling

4. Assemble and Add the Finishing Touches

Pour the cooled pudding over the baked cake layer and spread evenly
Cover with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge overnight—desserts need their beauty rest too!
Whip the cream with sugar until stiff peaks form
Spread it over the pudding layer and dust lightly with cocoa powder to make it picture-perfect

Pro Tips from Your Kitchen Fairy Godmother

Use high-quality chocolate. Life’s too short for waxy, subpar baking chocolate.
Let each layer cool completely. Rushing the process can lead to a messy (but still delicious) disaster.
For clean slices, run your knife under hot water before cutting. Works like a charm for cheesecakes, too!

How to Store Your Chocolate Masterpiece

Refrigerate for up to 4 days. But let’s be honest, it probably won’t last that long.
Freezing is a no-go. Some things in life are sacred, and this pie is one of them.
Tastes even better the next day. Just like a fine wine—or George Clooney.

Mississippi Mud Pie Recipe

A rich, four-layer chocolate dessert that’s perfect for celebrations, special occasions, or satisfying serious chocolate cravings.

🕒 Prep Time: 35 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour
🕒 Chill Time: 6 hours
🕒 Total Time: 7 hours 35 minutes
🍴 Servings: 14

Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

16 full graham cracker sheets (about 2 ½ cups crumbs)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

For the Flourless Chocolate Cake Layer:

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
6 large eggs, separated
1 cup granulated sugar, divided

For the Chocolate Pudding Layer:

1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups milk (2% or whole)
1 ¼ cups heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

1 ½ cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.

2️⃣ Prepare the crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press into the pan. Bake for 9-11 minutes until set, then let cool.

3️⃣ Make the cake layer: Increase the oven temperature to 350°F. Melt the chocolate and butter together. In a separate bowl, whisk water, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla. Beat egg yolks with ½ cup sugar until fluffy. Gently fold everything together, including whipped egg whites with the remaining sugar. Pour over the crust and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the edges are firm but the center is slightly wobbly.

4️⃣ Prepare the pudding: In a saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt. Stir in milk, cream, and egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until thick (about 10-12 minutes). Remove from heat, then stir in butter, chocolate, and vanilla. Let it cool completely.

5️⃣ Assemble: Spread the cooled pudding evenly over the cake. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.

6️⃣ Top it off: Whip the heavy cream with sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread over the pudding layer, then dust with cocoa powder for a polished look.

7️⃣ Serve and enjoy! Remove the springform pan sides, slice, and dig in!

🍫 Final Note: This dessert is best made a day ahead to let all the flavors meld together beautifully. Keep leftovers chilled and enjoy every last bite.

Don’t forget to share this recipe with fellow chocolate lovers! The more, the merrier in our little dessert-loving community. Happy baking! 🎂