Mississippi Mud Pie
Chocolate lovers, listen up! You’ll want to dive deep into the layers of Oreo cookie crust, chocolate pudding, chewy fudge brownie, and whipped cream.
Serves8 to 12
Makes1 (9-inch) pie
Prep20 minutes
Cook28 minutes to 36 minutes
My love for Southern pies and unshakeable enthusiasm for chocolate have met its match in this Mississippi Mud Pie. Chocolate lovers, brace yourself for the layers — Oreo cookie crust, fudgy brownie, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream topping. It’s dense, light and silky all at the same time, making every bite a textural delight.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s a chocolate lover’s dream. From the Oreo cookie crust and homemade brownie base to the chocolate pudding filling, it’s the ultimate chocolate dessert.
- Perfect for making ahead. You can absolutely make Mississippi mud pie ahead of time. The crust, brownie and pudding layers actually benefit from chilling time. However, I recommended waiting until you’re ready to serve to make the whipped cream.
Key Ingredients in Mississippi Mud Pie
- Oreo cookies: You’ll need 24 Oreo cookies for the crust (about 2 rows of a 14.3-ounce package), plus 4 more cookies for garnishing on top.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for the crust and the brownie base.
- Brownie base: Make the brownie base with granulated sugar, brown sugar, an egg, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and baking powder.
- Chocolate pudding mix: Use your favorite brand of chocolate pudding mix, such as Jell-O.
- Milk: You can use either whole milk or 2% milk for the chocolate pudding filling.
- Heavy cream: Use cold heavy cream for the whipped cream topping.
- Powdered sugar: Sweeten the whipped cream with powdered sugar.
How to Make Mississippi Mud Pie
- Make the crust. Place the Oreos in a food processor and process until finely ground. Combine with melted butter and kosher salt, transfer the mixture to a deep-dish pie pan or springform pan, and bake.
- Make the brownie base. Combine all the ingredients of the brownie base, transfer to the crust, and spread into an even layer. Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs. Let cool completely.
- Make the chocolate filling. Whisk the chocolate pudding mix and milk until combined. Pour evenly over the brownie base, press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the pudding, and refrigerate for a couple hours.
- Garnish the pie. Make the whipped cream, spoon it evenly on top of the pie, and garnish with the crushed Oreos.
The History of Mississippi Mud Pie
Just like it’s namesake, origins of Mississippi mud pie are about as clear as mud. Many believe it is an adaption of the World War II era Mississippi mud cake, which is a melty tray bake of warm chocolate, gooey marshmallows, nuts, and butter.
Another origin story has a Vicksburg waitress named Jenny Meyer at the center. Legend has it that on one of her shifts in 1927, she noticed a melting frozen chocolate pie and likened it to the muddy Mississippi banks. Her coworkers agreed and the name was born.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make ahead: The pie can be made up to the pudding layer and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance.
- Storage: Cover leftover pie loosely covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
More Chocolate Pie Recipes to Try
Mississippi Mud Pie Recipe
Chocolate lovers, listen up! You’ll want to dive deep into the layers of Oreo cookie crust, chocolate pudding, chewy fudge brownie, and whipped cream.
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 28 minutes to 36 minutes
Makes 1 (9-inch) pie
Serves 8 to 12
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the crust:
Cooking spray
- 6 tablespoons
unsalted butter
- 24
Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies (2 rows of a 14.3-ounce package)
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
For the brownie base:
- 4 tablespoons
unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup
granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup
packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1
large egg
- 1/4 cup
Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4 cup
all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon
baking powder
For the chocolate filling:
- 1 (3.9-ounce) box
Jell-O instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups
whole or 2% milk
For the whipped cream and garnishes:
- 4
Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies
- 1 1/2 cups
cold heavy cream
- 1/4 cup
powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon
vanillla extract
- 2 tablespoons
chocolate curls (optional)
Instructions
Make the crust:
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie pan or 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Place the pan on a baking sheet.
Melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Place 24 Oreos in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Process until finely ground, about 30 seconds (about 2 heaping cups).
Add the butter and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Pulse until looks like wet sand and holds together when pinched between your fingers, 10 to 12 (1-second) pulses.
Transfer the mixture to the pie or springform pan. Using a flat-bottomed measuring cup, press it into the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides (do not go all the way up the sides of the pie pan).
Bake until the crust is no longer visibly wet in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Place on a wire rack and let cool while you make the brownie base.
Make the brownie base:
Place 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until melted, 40 to 50 seconds. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, and whisk until the sugar is fully coated. Add 1 large egg, 1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk until smooth.
Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/8 teaspoon baking powder, and whisk until just combined with no streaks of flour. Transfer to the crust and spread into an even layer.
Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs, 20 to 27 minutes. Let cool completely, 1 to 2 1/2 hours.
Make the chocolate filling:
Place 1 (3.9-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix in a large bowl and whisk to remove any large clumps. Add 2 cups whole or 2% milk and whisk vigorously until thickened and no lumps remain, 1 to 2 minutes.
Pour the pudding mixture evenly over the brownie base and smooth the top. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the pudding. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight.
Garnish the pie:
Chop or crush 4 Oreos until pieces no bigger than the size of a pea.
When ready to serve, make the whipped cream. Place 1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl if using an electric hand mixer). Beat with the whisk attachment on medium speed until firm peaks form, 2 to 5 minutes.
Spoon the whipped cream evenly on top of the pie and smooth into the top with an offset spatula. Garnish with the crushed oreos and 2 tablespoons chocolate curls if using. For the pie pan, slice and serve straight out of the pan. For the springform pan, run a knife or small offset spatula around the pie, then release and remove the ring before slicing.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: The pie can be made up to the pudding layer and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance.
Storage: Cover leftover pie loosely covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days.