There's something incredibly comforting about this Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe — rich layers of fudgy brownie, silky pudding, and a crunchy crust, all topped with fluffy whipped cream. It’s a dessert that never fails to impress and satisfy any chocolate lover’s sweet tooth.

A chocolate pie with three visible layers in a round, clear glass dish on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a dark, moist chocolate crust that holds the pie together. Above that is a thick, rich chocolate filling with a smooth and creamy texture. The top layer is a thick, fluffy white whipped topping that covers the whole pie. Dark chocolate shavings and small chocolate curls are scattered generously over the whipped layer. A slice of the pie is being lifted by a metal spatula, showing all three layers clearly. Nearby on the surface are halved strawberries and more chocolate shavings. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe countless times for family gatherings and simple weekend treats. What makes it special is how each layer brings its own texture and flavor, creating a dessert that feels indulgent but is surprisingly straightforward to pull together.

Perfectly Layered: The combo of a crunchy cookie crust, fudgy brownie, creamy pudding, and silky whipped cream offers a delightful contrast in every bite.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need in your pantry, which makes it an easy recipe to whip up anytime those chocolate cravings hit.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it in stages, which means less stress if you’re hosting or want to impress with minimal last-minute work.
Kid-Approved: It’s a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults love, making it perfect for family meals, parties, or just because.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe has its role—creating layers that balance texture, flavor, and richness beautifully. Choosing good-quality chocolate and fresh eggs makes a noticeable difference, so don’t skimp on those!

Flat lay of a small pile of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of unsweetened cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl of cornstarch, two fresh egg yolks in a plain white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl of finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, and a small white ceramic plate with chocolate shavings arranged neatly, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: Crushing these for the crust gives that classic, slightly crunchy base with a touch of familiar sweetness; I prefer Oreos for that creamy contrast.
Unsalted Butter: Melting butter blends the crust and brownie layers, ensuring moisture and richness without overpowering saltiness.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both brownie and pudding layers, balancing out bitterness from the cocoa.
Eggs: Essential in the brownie and pudding for structure and richness; the yolks add creaminess to the pudding layer.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts the chocolate flavor with warm, comforting notes that round out the dessert beautifully.
Cocoa Powder: Gives the deep chocolate taste without extra fat, keeping the brownie and pudding layers moist but not greasy.
All-Purpose Flour: Holds the brownie layer together, helping it stay fudgy rather than cakey.
Cornstarch: Key for thickening that luscious pudding to the perfect creamy consistency.
Milk (whole): The base for the pudding, adding creaminess to complement the other chocolate components.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Melted into the pudding, it deepens the chocolate flavor and adds a velvety smooth texture.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into the airy topping, balancing all the rich chocolate layers and providing a nice light finish.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without grainy texture, keeping it smooth and fluffy.
Chocolate Shavings: The final flourish that enhances both look and taste—because who doesn’t love extra chocolate?

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you like things a bit sweeter, want a nutty crunch, or prefer a dairy-free tweak, there’s room to customize without losing that signature mud pie charm.

Variation: I’ve swapped the semi-sweet chocolate for dark chocolate when I was craving a more intense chocolate hit — it really amps up the richness without overwhelming the other flavors.
Nutty Additions: Feel free to sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between the brownie and pudding layers for added crunch and a southern-inspired twist.
Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free cookie crumbs and a gluten-free flour blend for the brownie, and you won’t even miss the gluten.
Alcohol Boost: Adding a tablespoon of bourbon or coffee liqueur to the pudding makes the pie feel extra special for grown-up occasions.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe

The image shows a slice of chocolate pie on a white plate with a thin black rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The pie has three clear layers: a dark, crumbly chocolate crust at the bottom, a thick middle layer of smooth, creamy chocolate filling, and a fluffy top layer of white whipped cream. The whipped cream is sprinkled with small pieces of dark chocolate shavings and curls. There are two fresh strawberry halves with green tops on the plate next to the pie slice. A small piece of the pie with whipped cream is on the tip of a fork resting on the plate. In the background, there is a second plate with another slice of the same pie and more strawberries scattered around. A green cloth is softly blurred behind the plates. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Create That Crunchy Cookie Crust

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I like to use a food processor to crush 24 chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs — it helps the crust hold together better. Mix those crumbs with 6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter until fully combined, then press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan. It’s key to pack it down well; I usually use the back of a measuring cup for an even, sturdy base.

Step 2: Whip Up the Fudgy Brownie Layer

In a bowl, blend ½ cup melted unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Then stir in ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon baking powder. Spread this fudgy brownie batter evenly over your cookie crust. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes. The edges will look set, but you want the center to still appear slightly soft—this ensures it stays rich and chewy once cooled.

Step 3: Make That Dreamy Chocolate Pudding

For the pudding, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 2 large egg yolks in a medium saucepan over medium heat. It’s super important to stir constantly here to avoid lumps and keep everything silky. Once it thickens and just starts to boil, take it off the heat and quickly add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 4 ounces finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the pudding is luxuriously smooth.

Step 4: Assemble & Chill

Pour that warm pudding over the cooled brownie layer, smoothing it out gently with a spatula. This next part takes patience—the pie needs to chill in the fridge for about 4 hours to let the pudding set completely. I usually cover it loosely with plastic wrap during this time, freeing me up to get the whipped cream ready.

Step 5: Whip Up the Creamy Topping

Just before serving, whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. You can either spread this fluffy topping over the set pudding or pipe it on for a fancy look. Finish by scattering chocolate shavings over the top for an irresistible presentation.

Top Tip

Through making this Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks that ensure success and maximize flavor every time.

Perfect Crust Packing: Press the cookie crumbs firmly and evenly in the pan to avoid a crumbly base that falls apart when sliced.
Constant Stirring: When making the pudding, stir constantly over medium heat—it prevents lumps and helps the pudding thicken evenly.
Cooling Time Is Key: Always wait for the brownie layer to cool completely before pouring on the pudding; otherwise, the layers can melt and get messy.
Sharp Knife with Warm Water: To get clean pie slices, warm your knife under hot water, wipe it dry, then slice—repeat between cuts for pristine edges.

How to Serve Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Mississippi Mud Pie - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I love topping this pie with homemade chocolate shavings, which add a delicate texture and look that’s just inviting. Fresh raspberries or a dusting of powdered sugar also work beautifully for a pop of color and flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

This pie is a dessert showstopper all on its own, but I often serve it with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a light espresso for a little bitterness that balances the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve piped the whipped cream into rosettes and layered the pie in individual glasses for individual servings. It’s fun to add edible gold leaf or festive sprinkles for holidays to make the presentation even more memorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This pie stores beautifully in the fridge covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. I usually keep leftover slices fresh for up to 3 days, and the layers stay intact without drying out.

Freezing

While I don’t typically freeze the whole pie, individual slices wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil freeze nicely for up to 2 months. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

I recommend enjoying this Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe chilled, so instead of reheating, just let slices sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before serving. It keeps the creamy pudding perfectly smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a store-bought brownie mix for the fudgy brownie layer?

Absolutely! Using a brownie mix can save time and still give you a rich base layer. Just spread the batter over the cookie crust as directed, and be mindful of baking times since mixes can vary.

What’s the best type of chocolate for the pudding?

Semi-sweet chocolate works best — it balances sweetness and delivers that luscious melt. Feel free to experiment with dark or milk chocolate depending on your taste. Just be sure it’s finely chopped to melt smoothly.

Can I make this Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe dairy-free?

You can! Substitute the milk with a full-fat coconut milk or your favorite dairy-free milk, and use dairy-free butter and whipped topping alternatives. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

How do I get clean slices when serving?

Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry before each cut to slice cleanly through the layers without smudging. It makes a big difference in presentation!

Final Thoughts

This Mississippi Mud Pie with Chocolate Pudding Recipe has been a go-to for me when I want to impress without fuss and deliver undeniable chocolate goodness. Its layers, textures, and flavors come together in a way that’s both nostalgic and a little decadent. Give it a try — I promise it’ll become one of your favorite chocolate desserts to share with friends and family, just like it did for me.