Let me tell you, this Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. Layers of rich, fudgy brownie, silky chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped cream come together to create a dessert that’s as impressive in flavor as it is in texture. It’s one of those pies you’ll want to make again and again.

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 Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this pie for friends and family multiple times, and the reactions never disappoint. It hits all the right spots—deep chocolate flavors balanced by creamy layers, with a crust that has just the right amount of crunch. Plus, it’s easier to pull off than it looks, which is always a plus.

Layered Textures: The crunchy cookie crust plus the moist, fudgy brownie and smooth pudding makes every bite a surprise.
No Fancy Ingredients Needed: Made with simple pantry staples you probably already have, so no last-minute store runs.
Wow-Factor Dessert: It looks impressive on any dessert table and tastes even better.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it in advance, chill, and you’re set to serve a crowd with minimal stress.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this pie is in how these ingredients play off each other — crunchy, fudgy, creamy, and sweet without being overwhelming. Each component has a simple job, making this dessert straightforward but oh-so-satisfying.

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: These crushed form a solid, flavorful base that's way better than plain graham crackers.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted gives you control over saltiness in the crust and brownie layers.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownie and pudding without overpowering the chocolate.
Eggs: Essential for structure in the brownie and gives richness to the pudding.
Vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor to both brownie and pudding.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to hold the brownie together without making it cakey.
Salt and baking powder: Balances sweetness and helps the brownie rise just right.
Whole milk: Makes for a silky, rich pudding layer compared to lower-fat options.
Cornstarch: The secret to thick, glossy pudding without lumps.
Semi-sweet chocolate: Melts into the pudding for that melt-in-your-mouth chocolate sensation.
Heavy cream, powdered sugar: Whipped together to top the pie with perfect lightness and a hint of sweetness.
Chocolate shavings: A beautiful garnish that ups the chocolate ante and adds a touch of elegance.

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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 my favorite things about this Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe is how you can tweak it to suit your taste or occasion. I sometimes throw in chopped pecans to the brownie layer for extra crunch, or swap out semi-sweet chocolate for bittersweet if I want a richer bite.

Nutty Twist: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter adds a nice texture contrast; I do this when sharing with friends who like a little crunch.
Make it Gluten-Free: I’ve tried substituting the flour with gluten-free blends, and while the texture changes slightly, it’s still delicious—just be sure to use gluten-free cookies for the crust.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap whole milk with almond or oat milk and use dairy-free chocolate and cream alternatives; I’ve done this for lactose-intolerant guests with great success.
Mini Pies: I’ve made this recipe in smaller tart pans for individual servings—perfect for parties or when you want just a little indulgence.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer 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: Build the Cookie Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). I like to crush the chocolate sandwich cookies using my food processor—this helps get a uniform crumb that packs nicely. Mix the crumbs with melted butter until everything feels like damp sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish—it’s important to pack it well to avoid crumbling later. Pop this crust into the oven for about 8 minutes to set the base before you add the brownie layer.

Step 2: Whip Up the Fudgy Brownie Layer

While the crust cools slightly, whisk melted butter with sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy. Stir in cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder gently—don’t overmix or you might toughen the brownies. Spread this batter evenly over your cookie crust, making sure to cover it completely. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on it: it's ready when the edges look set but the center still jiggles slightly like a perfect fudge brownie. Let it cool completely to avoid melting the pudding layer next.

Step 3: Prepare the Velvety Chocolate Pudding

For the pudding, whisk together whole milk, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, salt, and egg yolks in a medium saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat to prevent lumps—that’s key for a smooth, silky pudding. Once it thickens and reaches a gentle boil, remove it from heat immediately. Add finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate and vanilla extract, stirring until all chocolate melts into a glossy, luscious pudding. Pour this over your cooled brownie layer and let it chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours so it sets nicely.

Step 4: Top It Off with Cloud-Like Whipped Cream

Before serving, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. You can either spread it over the chilled pudding or use a piping bag to create beautiful swirls. Finally, sprinkle chocolate shavings on top for that extra wow factor. Serve chilled—this pie slices best when cold, so if possible, slice with a knife dipped in hot water to get clean cuts.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make this Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe absolutely foolproof. These tips helped me go from a good pie to one that friends literally ask me to bring to every gathering.

Crush Cookies Uniformly: Using a food processor ensures the cookie crust binds perfectly and won’t crumble when slicing.
Cool Layers Before Adding Next: Patience here is key—warm brownies can melt the pudding and ruin those clean layers.
Whisk Pudding Constantly: This prevents lumps and burning, giving you that smooth, creamy texture every time.
Hot Water Knife Trick: Run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices for neat, perfect pieces.

How to Serve Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe

Mississippi Mud Pie - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I love topping this pie with chocolate shavings because they add a bit of elegance and extra chocolatey bite without overpowering the whipped cream. Sometimes I toss a few crunchy toasted pecans on top for texture contrast—but keep it simple if you’re serving a crowd who loves classic chocolate.

Side Dishes

This pie really shines on its own, but I’ve also paired it with fresh berries or a tangy raspberry sauce for a nice balance of flavor. If you want something simpler, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side always disappears quickly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served the pie in individual glass jars layered with crushed cookies at the bottom, brownie chunks, pudding, and whipped cream on top. It’s a fun twist that’s easy to personalize and looks gorgeous on the dessert table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After serving, I always cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for about 3-4 days without losing texture or flavor. I find it tastes even better after a day as the flavors mingle.

Freezing

I haven’t personally frozen this pie because the pudding layer can get a bit watery when thawed, but if you’re in a pinch, try freezing without the whipped cream topping. Thaw overnight in the fridge and whip fresh cream just before serving for the best results.

Reheating

This dessert is best enjoyed chilled, so I don’t recommend reheating. Just slice straight from the fridge or let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if you prefer it less cold.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I recommend making it at least 4 hours ahead to allow the pudding to set perfectly. It actually tastes better the next day once all the flavors have melded.

What can I substitute for the cookie crust if I don't have sandwich cookies?

You can use chocolate graham crackers or chocolate wafer cookies crushed finely with butter. Just make sure the crumbs pack tightly to form a solid crust that holds up beneath the brownie layer.

How do I avoid lumps in the chocolate pudding layer?

Whisk the pudding mixture constantly while heating, and be sure to strain it through a fine mesh sieve if lumps form. Using cornstarch correctly and not rushing the process helps keep the pudding smooth and creamy.

Can I use different types of chocolate in this recipe?

Definitely! Semi-sweet chocolate works well for a balanced sweetness, but you can use bittersweet or dark chocolate for richer flavor, or milk chocolate for a sweeter pie. Just adjust sugar accordingly, especially if you use sweeter chocolates.

Final Thoughts

This Mississippi Mud Pie with Fudgy Brownie Layer Recipe holds a special place in my dessert repertoire. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want to impress—without hours of complicated steps. Sharing it feels like passing on a little chocolatey happiness, and I hope it brings that joy to your kitchen as well. So grab your apron, get comfy, and dive into making this deliciously layered classic. You won’t regret it!