Mississippi Mud Pie (Frozen Coffee Ice Cream Pie)

Mississippi mud pie means different things to different people. Some versions are baked and pudding-like, while others lean into ice cream. This take—adapted from Baked Explorations by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito—is the frozen variety: a crunchy Oreo cookie crust layered with silky bourbon fudge, store-bought coffee ice cream, toasted pecans, and more chocolate fudge to finish. The combination is rich, chocolaty, lightly boozy, and perfect for making ahead.Since we first printed this recipe on our site in 2011, there have been some changes at the grocery store. We swapped discontinued Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers (RIP) for Oreos. To reflect modern tastes, the BA test kitchen also opted to toast the pecans for deeper flavor and top the pie with flaky sea salt for balance. The result is an easy, crowd-pleasing frozen Mississippi mud pie that’s equally at home at a summer cookout or holiday gathering.Mississippi Mud Pie FAQWhy is it called Mississippi mud pie?No one knows for certain where Mississippi mud pie originated, and there’s no single definitive version. Though often considered a Southern classic, the chocolaty dessert is relatively modern, first appearing in print around 1975. It’s widely believed to be a descendant of World War II–era Mississippi mud cake.Depending on the recipe, the pie may appear as a chocolate pudding pie with a baked pastry crust, a layered icebox pie, or—as in this recipe—a frozen coffee ice cream pie with chocolate cookie crust, fudge, and nuts. Regardless of the version, both pie and cake are thought to take their name from their rich fudgy layers, which are thought to resemble the muddy banks of the Mississippi River.Can I use a different flavor of ice cream?Yes. In their book, Lewis and Poliafito note that while coffee ice cream gives this Mississippi mud pie its signature character—providing a bittersweet note that complements the rich chocolate and bourbon—chocolate or vanilla ice cream would also work well. You could also use butter pecan, rocky road, or cookie dough if you prefer a version with more mix-ins.You could even make your own ice cream:Can I make this Mississippi mud pie ahead?Absolutely. In fact, it’s best made in advance since each layer needs time to chill or freeze. Once assembled, the pie keeps well in the freezer for up to 4 days when tightly wrapped.Why use Oreos instead of chocolate wafer cookies?Lewis and Poliafito’s recipe calls for Nabisco chocolate wafer cookies, which are no longer available. Oreo cookies create a similarly dark, crisp crust and are easy to find in most grocery stores.Why finish the pie with flaky salt?A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt balances the sweetness of the chocolate and coffee while adding a pleasant bit of crunch to each slice. It’s optional but highly recommended.Read more:This recipe was adapted from ‘Baked Explorations’ by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.