Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
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1 cup unsalted butter
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½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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2 cups granulated sugar
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4 large eggs
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1½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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¼ tsp salt
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1 cup chopped pecans (optional but traditional)
Marshmallow Layer
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3–4 cups mini marshmallows
Chocolate Frosting
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½ cup unsalted butter
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¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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¼ cup milk
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3½ cups powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Make the Cake Batter
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In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
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Stir in cocoa powder and sugar until smooth.
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Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
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Whisk in eggs, one at a time.
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Stir in flour, vanilla, and salt.
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Fold in pecans if using.
3. Bake
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Pour batter into prepared pan.
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Bake 30–35 minutes, until set but still moist.
4. Add Marshmallows
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Remove cake from oven.
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Immediately sprinkle marshmallows evenly over the top.
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Return to oven for 3–5 minutes, just until marshmallows puff.
5. Make the Frosting
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In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa and milk.
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Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
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Stir in pecans if desired.
6. Frost the Cake
Pour warm frosting over the marshmallow layer and spread gently.
Let cool slightly before slicing (if you can wait!).
Tips
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For extra gooey, slightly underbake the cake.
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Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for ultimate indulgence.
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Stores well covered at room temperature for 2–3 days.
Variations
🍫 No-nuts version – simply omit pecans
☕ Mocha Mud Cake – add 1 tsp instant espresso
🥥 Coconut Mud Cake – sprinkle coconut over marshmallows
🍫 Fudge-heavy version – double the frosting

