Mississippi Mud Pie is a favorite for all ages! It features a sweet chocolate crust topped with hot fudge, coffee (or chocolate) ice cream, and creamy whipped topping.

Don’t want ice cream in the pie? Try this Chocolate Pudding Pie instead!

Image of a slice of the Mississippi Mud Pie on a plate

The Ultimate Mississippi Mud Pie 

When I first met my husband, I begged him for dessert requests. We were in college, and I had an insatiable baking bug (ha! Still do!). The first two things he requested—time and again—were a classic apple pie and a Mississippi mud pie. Those desserts were his childhood favorites, and they’ve now become traditions in our home.

Over the years, I’ve tweaked the mud pie, making more layers from scratch (yum!), and he has declared this the ultimate Mississippi mud pie ice cream dessert!

Quick Tip

This recipe shares how to make each layer from scratch and also how to make it super quick using store-bought products — whatever you have time for!

Process shots-- images of the Oreos being blended; the butter and salt being added; mixing it all together.

What Is Mississippi Mud Pie?

The original Mississippi Mud Pie Recipe is a chocolate-based dessert pie said to have originated from the Mississippi–a southern U.S. state. It contains a gooey chocolate sauce a top a chocolate crust and usually is served with ice cream (either in the pie or on the side). 

Over the years it has morphed and transformed into many different dessert variations. Today i’m bringing you my favorite version!

Process shots of the Mississippi Mud Pie-- images of the pie crust being formed and baked.

Ingredients In Mississippi Mud Pie

  • Oreo pie crust: Make this Oreo® crust recipe to start this pie off right!
  • Hot fudge sauce: Next, whip up the best homemade hot fudge sauce (I promise, it’s easy!) or use store bought.
  • Ice cream: Then spread on the ice cream. See the “quick tip” box below.
  • Whipped cream: Finally, some fresh whipped cream goes on top.I like to finish things off with a couple more crushed-up Oreos — perfection!

Quick Tip

My husband insists that mud pie must be made with coffee-flavored ice cream; this one by Tillamook® is his favorite. Chocolate ice cream or any complementary flavor works well, too. My personal favorite is this chocolate-mudslide ice cream!

    Process shots-- images of the hot fudge being made

    Shortcuts

    Mississippi Mud Pie Recipe: Quick-and-Easy Version

    To make an easier version (which we have done successfully many times when in a time crunch!) here are the main short-cuts:

    • Get a store-bought Oreo cookie crust (no need to bake it up beforehand — it’s ready to go!).
    • Buy a jar of hot fudge sauce.
    • Replace the from-scratch whipped cream topping with an 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping (thawed fully before using).

     Mississippi Mud Pie process shots--layering in the hot fudge, then the ice cream, and smoothing it all together

    How To Make Mississippi Mud Pie

    1. Crust: Preheat oven. Mix butter, cookie crumbs, and salt. Press into a pan and bake.
    2. Fudge: Melt butter with sugar, cocoa, cream, and salt in a pot. Stir in vanilla and cool to thicken.
    3. Assemble: Pour half the fudge into the crust and freeze. Scoop ice cream, smooth it out, and freeze again. Top with remaining fudge.
    4. Whipped Cream: Whip cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt together. Spread on top and add crushed Oreos if desired.
    5. Freeze: Freeze until solid (4-8 hours). Let sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
    Process shots-- images of the rest of the layers being added and it all being topped with whipped cream

    Tips For Success

    • Crush Oreos well: Use a blender or food processor for even crumbs; big pieces can affect cutting.
    • Cool the butter: Let it cool a bit before mixing to avoid a greasy crust.
    • Rest the pie: Let it sit for 5 mins at room temp before slicing with a hot, sharp knife. Cover leftovers tightly and put them back in the freezer.
    • Allow time: This pie needs several trips to the freezer and cooling time, so plan ahead to avoid rushing.

    Storage

    • Make sure to keep the pie in the freezer as much as possible while making it. If the ice cream gets too soft and melty, it tends to turn icy when re-frozen.
    • Return leftovers to the freezer promptly, tightly covered.
    • We like this pie best the same week it is made.

    Up-close image of a slice of Mississippi Mud Pie on a plate

    More Frozen Desserts:

    5 from 3 votes

    Mississippi Mud Pie

    Mississippi Mud Pie is a chocolate lover’s dream! A cookie crust, layers of fudge, coffee or chocolate ice cream, and whipped topping make this a dessert everyone will devour.
    Prep Time: 35 minutes
    Chilling Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
    Servings: 10 slices

    Equipment

    • Pie pan 9 to 9.5-inch, deep dish if possible
    • Blender or food processor
    • Heavy-bottomed, medium pot
    • stand mixer or hand mixer

    Ingredients 
     

    • Cooking spray

    Crust (or use a pre-made Oreo cookie crust—see note 1)

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
    • 1-3/4 cups Oreo cookie crumbs or other chocolate sandwich cookie, 24 cookies
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt optional

    Fudge Layer (or use 1 jar hot fudge sauce)

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into tablespoons
    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder recommended: Hershey’s special dark cocoa powder
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt
    • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Final Layers

    • 1 (48-ounce) container coffee fudge ice cream or chocolate ice cream, see note 1
    • 3/4 cup heavy cream see note 2
    • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt
    • 2 to 3 Oreos optional, for topping

    Instructions 

    • Oreo Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a pie pan with cooking spray. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, set aside to cool for 5 minutes. (Hot butter will cause a greasy crust.) In a blender or food processor, process the whole cookies (don’t separate cookie from cream) until they are fine crumbs (reblend any large chunks). Measure the crumbs and add to a large bowl. Add salt. Use a spatula to scrape in every bit of butter and mix until well combined.
    • Finish Crust: Empty the crumb mixture into the prepared pan. Using your fingers, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Use the bottom of a flat 1-cup measuring cup to thoroughly compress the crumbs into a firm crust. Bake 10 minutes, then remove and set aside to fully cool.
    • Fudge: Meanwhile, prepare the fudge. Cut butter into 4 equal-sized slices and place in the bottom of a heavy-bottomed, medium pot. Place over medium heat and add the sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, and salt. Using a whisk, briskly mix until ingredients are combined and butter is fully melted. Remove from heat. Whisk in vanilla extract. Let stand to cool (it will thicken as it cools).
    • Assemble Pie: Add 1/2 of the fudge mixture to the cooled pie crust, and gently coax along the bottom into an even layer. Freeze for 10 minutes. Then add scoops of ice cream, gently compressing into a solid compact layer—you should use the entire container of ice cream. Smooth the top with the back of a table knife and place in the freezer for 10 minutes. Remove the pie and spoon small amounts of the remaining fudge all over the top. Gently coax into an even layer—this takes some patience!
    • Whipped Cream: Use a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or a hand mixer) to combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk on high speed until you get soft peaks. Gently dollop the whipped cream and smooth into an even layer on top of the fudge layer. If desired, crush up 2–3 Oreos (I just break them with my fingers) to garnish the top. Freeze until completely solid, about 4–8 hours, then cut and serve (see note 3). Promptly return any leftovers, covered tightly, to the freezer.

    Video

    Recipe Notes

    Note 1: Short-cut Mud Pie: To make an easier version, here are the main short-cuts:
    • Use a store-bought Oreo cookie crust (no need to bake it beforehand—it’s ready to go!)
    • Buy a jar of hot fudge sauce (about 12 ounces)
    • Replace the from-scratch whipped cream topping with an 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping (fully thawed).
    Note 2: My husband loves mud pie with coffee-flavored ice cream. That said, chocolate ice cream (or any complementary flavor to chocolate) will work great here. My favorite is this chocolate-mudslide ice cream!
    Note 3: If the pie is especially firm, let it stand for 5 minutes at room temperature before cutting and serving. Use a hot, sharp knife (run it under hot water, dry with a towel) to make cuts into the pie. This will take some muscle!
    Storage: Keep the pie in the freezer as much as possible while making it and while enjoying it when completed. It is best enjoyed the same week it is made.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5.1g | Fat: 31g | Cholesterol: 138.7mg | Sodium: 486.2mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 34g

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Meet Chelsea


    Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

    Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    11 Comments

    1. Ruth Price says:

      mY Family love mississippi mud pie

      1. Chelsea says:

        So happy to hear this! Enjoy!

    2. Kari says:

      5 stars
      I made this into individual pies. So good!!

      1. Chelsea says:

        That sounds amazing! So glad it was a hit! ๐Ÿ™‚

    3. JANET says:

      What size pie plate did you use? Thank you.

      1. Chelsea Lords says:

        Listed right under equipment ๐Ÿ™‚ 9 to 9.5-inch pie dish (deep dish if possible)

        1. JANET says:

          thanks, making it right now!

        2. JANET says:

          my second layer of fudge slid
          right off of ice cream layer. What did I do wrong?

          1. Chelsea Lords says:

            Is the fudge warm? It does take some patience and coaxing to spread, but if it’s sliding it’s probably too warm!

    4. Amelia Thompson says:

      5 stars
      Looks very tasty. Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely try. My kids will love Mississippi mud pie.

      1. Chelsea says:

        Yay! Can’t wait to hear what you guys think! ๐Ÿ™‚