Mississippi Mud Cake

If you visited my table scape yesterday you already know that we entertained real people for dinner this week. Real people require real food. Beloved cooked a pork loin on the grill. I made a hash brown casserole and whipped up a salad with baby greens, strawberries, and orange slices. The true star of the event, however was dessert-Mississippi Mud Cake. Not good for you, just plain good, for you! I cut it into bars and served it on a crystal cake stand. This was my grandmother's cake stand and I use it every chance I get. I think she would like that! I decorated with a few pansies that hadn't been beaten to death by wind and rain. The outcome was divine!

Mississippi Mud Cake

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted 1 cup butter, 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour ,1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 4 large eggs ,1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 bag miniature marshmallows , and chocolate Frosting

Microwave butter and semisweet chocolate in a large glass bowl on high for one minute or until the chocolate is melted. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Whisk sugar and next five ingredients into chocolate mixture. Pour batter and spread in a greased 9x13 cake pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for twenty minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle marshmallows evenly over the cake. Return to oven and bake 8-10 minutes more or until the marshmallows are lightly browned. Drizzle warm cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkle with toasted pecans.

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup butter 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa ,1/3 or more cup of milk, 1 (16 oz.) package confectioner's sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix and melt first three ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened (about two minutes). Remove from heat and beat in confectioner's sugar. You may add more milk if the frosting is too thick. The leftover icing is great on ice cream! I know you'll want to join our host Gollum for Foodie Friday and see what else is cooking. Click on the button and join in the fun!