The Best Mississippi Mud Cookies: Irresistible Gooey Chocolate & Marshmallow Delight
Prepare for an explosion of flavor with every bite! Imagine rich, dark chocolate melded with soft, melt-in-your-mouth marshmallows, all baked into a perfectly chewy cookie. These Mississippi Mud Cookies are not just a treat; they’re an experience designed to silence even your most intense chocolate cravings. If you consider yourself a true chocolate fanatic or simply adore the art of baking, this decadent recipe is an absolute must-add to your culinary collection.
They’re the kind of cookies that evoke warmth and comfort, reminiscent of classic Southern desserts, but in an irresistible, portable form. Get ready to impress everyone with these unbelievably gooey, supremely chocolatey creations!
The Allure of Mississippi Mud Cookies
The concept of “Mississippi Mud” typically refers to a rich, dense, chocolate-laden dessert, often featuring layers of cake, pudding, or whipped cream, reminiscent of the fertile, dark mud along the Mississippi River. Translating this decadent idea into a cookie creates a handheld masterpiece that delivers on all fronts: intense chocolate flavor, chewy texture, and that signature gooeyness. This particular recipe captures the essence of this Southern classic beautifully, making it accessible for any home baker.
I originally shared this beloved recipe way back in 2009, and it has remained a fan favorite for good reason. After all these years, I felt it deserved a fresh look with updated photos and a refined description, simply because these cookies are truly *that* exceptional. It’s always a joy to revisit timeless recipes and give them a modern sparkle, ensuring new generations of bakers can discover their magic.
On a lighter note, does anyone else find themselves mentally spelling out “M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I” every single time they type or even think the word? It’s a habit from elementary school that just sticks, and I can’t imagine ever typing it without that little internal chant!
By the way, if you’re constantly on the hunt for more incredible cookie creations, you’ll definitely want to bookmark my extensive collection of 50 Cookie Recipes! It’s a treasure trove of ideas for every occasion. And for those who can’t get enough of the glorious combination of marshmallows and chocolate, my Rocky Road Fudge recipe will be perfectly up your alley – another easy and incredibly satisfying treat!
My Journey to the Perfect Gooey Chocolate Cookie
Usually, I find myself a couple of weeks behind in publishing what I bake. I maintain a meticulously organized folder brimming with pictures and recipes, all patiently waiting their turn to be shared. But some cravings are too strong to ignore, and these Mississippi Mud Cookies sparked an undeniable, overwhelming desire for gooey chocolate that simply couldn’t wait! I immediately dove into my “cookie” labeled bookmark folder, and there it was, this incredible recipe, beckoning to me in all its ooey-gooey, chocolatey glory. I absolutely *had* to share them with you right away, fresh from the oven!
Over the years, I’ve made only minor tweaks to the original recipe, primarily to suit personal preferences and simplify the process. For instance, I’ve opted to eliminate nuts to let the pure chocolate and marshmallow flavors shine, and instead of a mix of milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips, I simply use a full bag of semi-sweet for a deeper, more consistent chocolate profile. My version is a slightly adapted take; if you prefer the delightful crunch of nuts, you can easily find the original recipe on Megan’s blog.
Oh, and here’s a fantastic little tip: if you happen to have a third of a bag of miniature marshmallows tucked away in your kitchen cabinet, a bit stuck together and verging on stale (just like I did!), don’t despair! They’ll actually work wonderfully in this recipe. The heat of the oven will melt and transform them into luscious, gooey pockets of sweetness, so there’s no need to run out for a fresh bag.
Mastering Your Mississippi Mud Cookies: Tips for Success
Achieving the perfect, irresistible Mississippi Mud Cookie is all about a few key details. Here are some pro tips to ensure your baking experience is as smooth as your melted chocolate:
Essential Ingredients & Preparations
While the full ingredient list is in the recipe card below, remember that quality matters. Using good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips will elevate the flavor significantly. Ensure your unsalted butter is genuinely softened – not melted, but pliable enough to cream smoothly with sugar. This step is crucial for incorporating air and creating a light, tender cookie texture. Also, accurately measuring your flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off will prevent dense, dry cookies.
Baking Wisdom for Perfect Results
- Melting Chocolate: When microwaving your chocolate, stir it frequently (every 15-30 seconds). Chocolate can hold its shape even after it’s melted, and stirring prevents scorching.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies.
- Marshmallow Placement: Pressing the marshmallows into the dough *before* baking helps them melt into the cookie rather than just sitting on top and potentially burning. Don’t add them too early in the baking process, though, as they can burn quickly. The recipe specifies the ideal timing.
- Oven Temperature: Every oven is different. An inexpensive oven thermometer can be a lifesaver to ensure your oven is truly heating to 350°F. This impacts how evenly your cookies bake and how perfectly your marshmallows toast.
- Cooling Process: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes after coming out of the oven is vital. This brief rest helps them set, preventing them from falling apart when you transfer them to a wire rack. It also allows the gooey marshmallows to settle slightly without hardening completely.
- Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. If you want to enjoy them gooey for longer, a quick 10-15 second reheat in the microwave can work wonders!
Following these simple guidelines will help you create a batch of Mississippi Mud Cookies that are truly phenomenal, ensuring that rich chocolate flavor and signature marshmallow gooeyness in every single bite.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking journey, ensuring precision and ease. Here are some of my go-to items that prove invaluable for this recipe and many others:
- Cookie scoop: Essential for perfectly uniform cookies, ensuring even baking and a professional look.
- Electric mixer: Speeds up the creaming of butter and sugar, making your dough light and fluffy.
- Cookie sheet: A good quality, non-stick cookie sheet is crucial for even baking and easy removal.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy in measurements is key for successful baking.
- Parchment paper: Prevents sticking, makes cleanup a breeze, and helps cookies bake more evenly.
Do you, like me, possess an undeniable love for all things chocolate? If your answer is a resounding yes, then you’re in for a treat! Beyond these incredible Mississippi Mud Cookies, I’ve curated a list of some of my most cherished chocolate recipes that are guaranteed to delight your taste buds. Dive in and find your next favorite!
More Irresistible Chocolate Delights You’ll Love
- Chocolate Lasagna – This no-bake wonder is consistently one of the blog’s most popular recipes, and for good reason. It’s a dreamy layered dessert that’s simple to make and incredibly satisfying.
- Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies – Experience a truly delicious and unexpected combination of bright, zesty orange and rich chocolate chips in a wonderfully chewy cookie.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream – This homemade ice cream is my absolute favorite! Fresh, cooling mint combined with delightful chocolate chips makes for a refreshing dessert.
- No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake – An effortless and elegant dessert that’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any time you need a delicious treat without turning on the oven.
This post, featuring the original Mississippi Mud Cookies recipe, was first published on this blog on October 20, 2009, and has been lovingly updated for your enjoyment.
Mississippi Mud Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 12 oz bag semisweet chocolate chips , divided
- ½ cup unsalted butter , softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. miniature marshmallows
Instructions
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Melt Chocolate: Microwave ONE CUP of the semisweet chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe glass bowl on HIGH for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds until completely smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
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Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully blended. Gently mix in the vanilla extract, then thoroughly incorporate the slightly cooled melted chocolate.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the chocolate mixture, beating on low speed until just well blended and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
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Add Remaining Chips: Stir in the remaining semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cookie dough.
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Portion and Prepare: Drop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoonfuls (a cookie scoop works perfectly for uniform size) onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. For each portion of dough, gently press 3 miniature marshmallows into the top.
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Bake and Cool: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft (10 minutes was ideal for my oven). Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to allow them to rest and the marshmallows to deflate slightly and set. Then, carefully transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
