Mississippi Mud Pie
Mississippi Mud Pie is sensational! This luscious dessert has a nutty crust, a cream cheese layer, then a chocolate pudding layer, topped with non-dairy whipped topping, a sprinkling of nuts and chocolate curls. Mississippi Mud Pie is a chocolate lover’s delight for real! Each mouthful just slides down your throat with an explosion of flavors that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
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Some people call this dessert Chocolate Lasagna. It was originally named Chocolate Delight in the 70s. I’ve called it Mississippi Mud Pie because that’s what the recipe was called when it was first given to me. The first time I tasted this delicious cream pie was at a church potluck in 1978. It was also the first time I’d ever been to a church potluck so the whole experience was new to me. I fell in love with this decadent dessert at first bite! 🙂
The person who made the dessert made half with chocolate pudding and the other half with banana pudding. Both flavors were fabulous. About a year later I had it again and this person called it Mississippi Mud Pie. Patty Carter was a South Carolina girl who found herself in Florida and oh, could she ever cook!
She made the best Fried Chicken of all time. I still have that recipe and several of her cake recipes and all are scrumptious. No matter what you choose to call this dessert, it’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!
I first posted this recipe back in June of 2012. The original pictures were of poor, grainy quality. I updated them in January 2014, and now again in February 2017 as I made this for our Super Bowl party. It was extremely well received! Hopefully you can get a better appreciation for this lovely dessert.
If you’re looking for a wonderful, creamy, delectable, scrumptious dessert to WOW your company, Mississippi Mud Pie will do it! In fact, I kept having people come up to me as we were watching the Super Bowl telling me how much they loved this dessert. It’s always a crowd pleaser whenever I make it.
Mississippi Mud Pie is one of the most scrumptious desserts you’ll ever eat!
This delicious dessert is amazing and such a crowd pleaser whenever I make it. It’s so ooey and gooey and just melts in your mouth!
Here’s Mississippi Mud Pie just out of the freezer. Every bite is so mouthwatering and delectable.
Here’s what I did.
I used these ingredients.
To make the crust layer: melt butter in a large mixing bowl. Add UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour. Bleached flour toughens baked goods. Add finely diced pecans or walnuts.
Combine ingredients with a fork.
Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Press crust mixture evenly into baking dish with a fork.
Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool completely. I usually cool about 10 minutes on the counter, and then put the dish in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. It must be completely cool before you place the other layers on top or you’ll end up with a goopy mess.
While crust is cooling make cream cheese layer. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and non-dairy whipped topping together in a medium-sized bowl with an electric mixer.
If necessary, you can refrigerate the cream cheese layer as you wait for the crust to cool sufficiently.
To make the chocolate layer, mix chocolate instant pudding mix and milk in a large mixing bowl. Beat on high until the pudding sets up — somewhere around 3-5 minutes.
Set aside until crust layer cools.
After the crust cools completely either by setting it out on the counter or placing the dish in your refrigerator or freezer, add the cream cheese layer and spread evenly and smoothly over top of the crust layer.
Spread the chocolate pudding mixture evenly and smoothly over top of the cream cheese layer.
Add the remaining non-dairy whipped topping over top of the chocolate pudding mix.
Sprinkle the dessert with nuts and chocolate curls. Refrigerate until ready to serve. You can also freeze the dessert until an hour before serving time.
Mississippi Mud Pie is a superb chocolate dessert. It’s great for any kind of holiday, potluck or even backyard barbecues.
This is such a delicious recipe, and it’s very versatile. You can use banana, butterscotch, pistachio, coconut cream or chocolate pudding mixes. You can also use pie filling for the chocolate layer and that works excellently, too.
Mississippi Mud Pie is a fantastic dessert all your guests will rave over! Chocolate Delight, Chocolate Lasagna, Chocolate Layered Dessert, Mississippi Mud Pie–no matter what you call it, it’s fabulous!
Here’s the recipe.
MISSISSIPPI MUD PIE
(Recipe adapted from Laverne Reed, when attending First Baptist Church, Louisiana, MO, and Patti Carter, when attending First Baptist Church Indian Rocks, Largo, FL)
Mississippi Mud Pie
Equipment
- 1 9x13" glass baking dish
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 2 large mixing bowls
- 2 wooden spoons
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 fork
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
LAYER 1:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted (1 1/2 sticks)
- 1 1/2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
- 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (measure after chopping)
LAYER 2:
- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup cool whip or other non-dairy whipped topping (from 16-oz. container)
LAYER 3:
- 7.8 oz. pkg. Jello instant chocolate pudding (two 3.9-ounce packages)
- 3 cups milk
LAYER 4:
- remaining Cool Whip or other non-dairy whipped topping (from a 16-oz. container)
- 1/4 cup diced walnuts or pecans, for garnish, if desired (measure after dicing)
- 1/4 cup chocolate curls or shavings for garnish, if desired
Instructions
LAYER 1:
- Combine crust ingredients with a fork in a medium mixing bowl and press into a greased 9x13" glass baking dish.
- Bake in 300° oven for 25 minutes.
- Cool completely!
LAYER 2:
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, blend cream cheese, powdered sugar and 8-ounces Cool Whip until smooth.
- Spread over cooled crust.
LAYER 3:
- Combine chocolate pudding mix with milk in a large mixing bowl.
- Beat with an electric mixer for a few minutes until mixture becomes thick.
- Spread over 2nd layer.
LAYER 4:
- Spread remaining cool whip over top of 3rd layer, then sprinkle with chopped nuts and chocolate curls or shavings over top, if desired.
- Cool 6 hours in refrigerator before serving, or freeze.
- If frozen, thaw 1 hour on counter before serving.
Notes
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
Nutrition
- [b]LAYER 1: [/b][br]
- 1 ½ sticks butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups Gold Medal or King Arthur UNLBEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- [b]LAYER 2:[/b] [br]
- 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup Cool Whip non-dairy topping (from 16-oz. container)
- [b]LAYER 3: [/b][br]
- 2 3-oz. pkg. Jello instant chocolate pudding
- 3 cups milk
- [b]LAYER 4: [/b]
- remaining Cool Whip, non-dairy topping
- Diced nuts
- Chocolate curls or shavings
- [b]LAYER 1:[/b] Bake in 9×13” greased pan in 300° oven for 25 minutes.
- Cool completely!
- [b]LAYER 2[/b]: Blend until smooth.
- Spread over cooled crust.
- [b]LAYER 3[/b]: Mix together until thick.
- Spread over 2nd layer.
- [b]LAYER 4:[/b] Spread remaining cool whip over top of 3rd layer, then sprinkle with chopped nuts and chocolate curls or shavings over top, if desired.
- Cool 6 hours in refrigerator before serving, or freeze.
- Thaw 1 hour on counter before serving.
We served Mississippi Mud Pie for our Super Bowl party and everyone loved it!
Chocolate lovers will find this dessert quite addictive! It’s really hard to stop at one piece!
You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!
Mississippi Mud Pie
Equipment
- 1 9×13" glass baking dish
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 2 large mixing bowls
- 2 wooden spoons
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 fork
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
LAYER 1:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted (1 1/2 sticks)
- 1 1/2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
- 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (measure after chopping)
LAYER 2:
- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup cool whip or other non-dairy whipped topping (from 16-oz. container)
LAYER 3:
- 7.8 oz. pkg. Jello instant chocolate pudding (two 3.9-ounce packages)
- 3 cups milk
LAYER 4:
- remaining Cool Whip or other non-dairy whipped topping (from a 16-oz. container)
- 1/4 cup diced walnuts or pecans, for garnish, if desired (measure after dicing)
- 1/4 cup chocolate curls or shavings for garnish, if desired
Instructions
LAYER 1:
- Combine crust ingredients with a fork in a medium mixing bowl and press into a greased 9×13" glass baking dish.
- Bake in 300° oven for 25 minutes.
- Cool completely!
LAYER 2:
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, blend cream cheese, powdered sugar and 8-ounces Cool Whip until smooth.
- Spread over cooled crust.
LAYER 3:
- Combine chocolate pudding mix with milk in a large mixing bowl.
- Beat with an electric mixer for a few minutes until mixture becomes thick.
- Spread over 2nd layer.
LAYER 4:
- Spread remaining cool whip over top of 3rd layer, then sprinkle with chopped nuts and chocolate curls or shavings over top, if desired.
- Cool 6 hours in refrigerator before serving, or freeze.
- If frozen, thaw 1 hour on counter before serving.
43 Comments
Anna
December 27, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Can you use bread flour to make the base?
Teresa
December 29, 2019 at 9:12 am
Hi, Anna. I’ve never used it before, but I don’t think it would be too much of a problem to try it that way.
Hayley
December 16, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Hi,
The pudding box says 2 cups milk each but the recipe says 3 total.
Does it make it thicker?
Teresa
December 16, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Hi, Hayley. The problem is the pudding companies keep changing the amount on their packages and lowering the amounts. You need two 3.9-oz. pkgs. Then mix with 3 cups of milk. Two cups will not be enough to spread a thick layer over top of the cream cheese layer. Enjoy.
Melba
August 31, 2018 at 9:31 am
If i use sugar free pudding what size boxes are ounces do I use?
Teresa
August 31, 2018 at 11:23 am
Melba, I would probably use the same size box. Enjoy. This recipe is a favorite.
Kelly
April 24, 2018 at 3:35 pm
You say you can freeze Mississippi Mud Pie. Well I made one today and would like to freeze some of it for an upcoming vacation. All the websites say that pudding pies NEVER thaw out good. Your recipe says it comes out perfect. So how do I freeze it properly??? HELP PLEASE ASAP!
Teresa
April 24, 2018 at 4:27 pm
Hi, Kelly. I’ve frozen this many, many times and never had any problem with it. I usually freeze it in the whole 9×13″ dish covered with both plastic wrap and foil. However, for small pieces you can put them in a small plastic container, cover with lid and freeze. I usually defrost by putting the dish out on the counter for an hour. You can also defrost by putting the container in your refrigerator for a day or so (depending on how much you’re defrosting). Hope this helps.
Heather Fife
November 23, 2016 at 7:04 pm
My family grew up on this dessert and my grandma took the recipe to her grave. I am literally shaking right now because I am so excited that I found this. It is exactly the same recipe that she used…I even called my mom to confirm and she said “yes that sounds like everything grandma had in her recipe even right down to the crust”! The pictures are a 100% match. Needless to say you made my day and I am off to the store so that tomorrow’s Thanksgiving can be just like the ones I had as a kid. I am sure I will even cry as I eat it.
Teresa
November 24, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Oh, Heather, what a sweet story! I’ve also made this recipe with one half of the pudding layer as banana, and one half as chocolate. I’ve also used pie fillings, lemon, coconut and butterscotch in the fillings. Every version is delicious. So glad you are making this for the holidays. Hope you and your family have good memories as you eat it. Enjoy.
Kathy
July 19, 2016 at 7:42 pm
My friend, Nancy, would make this with chopped almonds in the crust, the cream cheese layer like yours, 1 chocolate pudding mix & 1 vanilla pudding mix with some almond extract mixed in, Cool Whip, and sliced almonds sprinkled on top. I love the almond flavor!
Teresa
July 19, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Hey Kathy! I love the sound of this. When your friend, Nancy, made the chocolate/vanilla pudding layer, did she mix the two puddings together, or did she put them separately with chocolate pudding on one half and vanilla pudding on the other half of the dessert? I’m going to have to make this soon! Thanks for sharing the idea.
Everything You Need to Know About Mississippi Mud Pie – Eater – Subicevac
April 30, 2016 at 4:12 pm
[…] pie sometimes takes on alternative names. Those who forego the pie crust may call this treat “Chocolate Lasagna” or “Mississippi mud cake.” Country crooner even Dolly Parton supplies a recipe […]
Fay
April 6, 2016 at 9:18 am
Hi Teresa
This looks amazing and the flavor a are just up my alley. Yummy!!!
I notice you say freeze. Can I make it a couple of days in advance Freeze and then thaw in the refrigerator a day in advance ?
Or just set it out an hour or so before serving ?
Teresa
April 6, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Hi, Fay, the answer is yes! You can freeze it and thaw it in the refrigerator, or you can set it out for an hour or two before serving. You don’t have to freeze it. You can also keep it refrigerated for a couple of days if you desire. But all of these options work. Thanks for stopping by.
Patty
February 2, 2016 at 8:35 am
My family loves this dessert. My mother-in-law from Louisiana gave me this recipe around 1972. I see one ingredient is missing from the above recipe….add 1 tsp of vanilla to the cream cheese layer.
Teresa
February 3, 2016 at 7:42 am
Hi, Patty. I think the addition of vanilla would be excellent! My original recipe actually called for half of the dessert to be made with chocolate pudding and the other half to be made with banana pudding. Of course, we would all have to try a sample of each. Delish. 🙂
Phyllis H.
November 24, 2015 at 8:15 am
This recipe is a hit at parties and is always requested for the next. I make at home and travel with ice in a pan below the one with dessert in and it stays cool. This one does not disappoint, but just don’t make one while you’re alone…you’ll eat the majority.
Teresa
November 24, 2015 at 11:46 am
You’re absolutely right, Phyllis! I would eat the whole thing myself! You can also freeze this dessert and remove it about an hour before serving. It works perfectly that way too.
Nikki
December 25, 2015 at 5:27 am
I only used chocolate fudge COOKED pudding, never instant, that is the original recipe from the 1960’s my grandmother’s original recipe card and finely chopped English walnuts for the crust. I do add 2 squares melted ghiradelli chocolate bar to my hot cooked pudding before I let it cool completely. Talk about deliciousness! The rest of the recipe is the same. Cool whip and don’t use lite cool whip in the layers or skim milk, to make the pudding, if your going for the gusto then go for it! I make this once a year for christmas, so no skimping on the calories.
Teresa
December 25, 2015 at 10:17 am
Sounds wonderful, Nikki. I bet it was scrumptious!
Brenda McWhorter
November 7, 2015 at 2:01 pm
I always use part of this recipe….but on top of the chocolate pudding, I put vanilla pudding and then the cool whip! Pudding is really good you know!!! =)
Teresa
November 9, 2015 at 8:44 pm
I’ve had it that way before, too, Brenda, but it’s been quite some time. Thanks for the reminder.
Tennie
July 4, 2015 at 3:27 pm
This should be Illegal – it’s that bad for you but so GOOD! It was wonderful.
Teresa
July 4, 2015 at 3:47 pm
Thanks, Tennie! The nice thing about this recipe is you can use almost any kind of pudding you want to get different flavors. We love it.
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[…] own special recipe for Clam Chowder. I also made up a loaf of homemade bread and had my fabulous Mississippi Mud Pie as a dessert. But I felt like I needed to add something else since we were having about 15 people. […]
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Bobbie
August 6, 2012 at 6:17 pm
I have this recipe, it’s called 4-layer chocolate dessert. My friend Marla from our church makes this using butterscotch instead of chocolate. It’s wonderful.
Teresa
August 6, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Yes, it is the same thing as chocolate delight. I have used the same basic recipe with banana, lemon, pistachio, butterscotch puddings, & even pie fillings like blueberry, strawberry & raspberry pie fillings. You can’t go wrong with this luscious & easy dessert! Thanks for checking out my blog.
Sent from my iPhone
Mike
November 24, 2015 at 8:48 am
So I make something similar except I use a cooked regular pie crust ,its always a hit.
Cant wait to try this it looks amazing.
Teresa
November 24, 2015 at 11:48 am
Hi, Mike. This recipe is so easy. You can really use almost any kind of nuts, and garnish it any way you like. I’ve used all different kinds of puddings and even pie fillings (raspberry pie filling is wonderful in place of the chocolate pudding). Everything turns out delish. You can make this ahead of time and either refrigerate it or even freeze it. Pull it out of the freezer about an hour before serving. Hope your family and friends enjoy it.
Christina
August 4, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Oh man….I need a slice of this pie now!! Looks amazing! 🙂
Teresa
August 4, 2012 at 5:08 pm
It really is. You can make it with any kind of pudding, or any kind of our filling. On top of that, it’s really easy. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Sent from my iPhone
Lace
June 20, 2012 at 10:25 pm
I certainly wish I could pin this recipe to pinterest. I have made this for years and have looked for the exact recipe to pin for a long time.
Teresa
June 22, 2012 at 10:04 am
You’re absolutely right! I thought the Pinterest icon was on here. I am trying to get my son to help me get it figured out and will let you know soon. BTW, I am making a sister recipe of this and posting later today called Oreo Mud Pie with oreo crust and the rest is the same except for maraschino cherries on top. Check it out–and I will work on figuring out what’s wrong. Thanks for your patience. Teresa
Teresa
June 22, 2012 at 10:10 am
Ok, I think it’s working now! Sorry about that.
Jean
February 12, 2016 at 9:28 pm
Could this mud pie be made in a spring form pan.
Teresa
February 13, 2016 at 10:14 am
Hi, Jean. You can give it a try, but I don’t think I’d make it in a spring form pan unless the recipe is divided in half. I think it would be way to much batter.