Mississippi Mud Cake

A little known fact about me, one that I bet you didn’t know; I live in a foster home, well two to be exact in high school. They weren’t technically foster homes, where the county came in and took me from my parents. I was just having a hard go with it and decided that it would be better all parties involved if I found a new family.

I have a total respect for anyone that raises children that aren’t their own, whether that be foster children, grandchildren, stepchildren (I am a step mom and that is hard work but another blog post entirely.) The first family, The Zirschky’s were a family of five; Mom, Dad, daughter and two sons. There was a grandmother too that I remember too that came around a lot and sewed a lot of clothes for Melissa. I don’t even remember how I met Melissa. She was a year or two ahead of me in school. She drove this Ford Pinto that I thought was so cool. We cruised around town in that car thinking we were the shit! (sorry Mrs. Zirschky!) Each Family taught me something that to this day has made me the woman I am today. At the time, I thought Mrs. Zirschky was so strict. She made us to do chores and help with dinner. To this day, when I clean the bathroom I can hear Melissa freaking out that the toilet isn’t clean enough. And today I can giggle about it. Mrs. Zirschky was an amazing cook. She had the family at the table every night. She introduced me to foods I had never eaten in my life before, fried okra with ranch dressing and my favorite Mississippi Mud Cake. I couldn’t resist asking her for this recipe. She is holding onto a gold winner. So with her blessing I am sharing this.

But I didn’t know the little gem of a family I was living with and onto greener pastures I had to go. This time my mother asked a co-worker who was gracious enough to allow me to live with her enormous family. The Butterfield Family was as large as their hearts! I had a sister and brother growing up but they were grown and on they’re way by they time I was born so I never had to share a room or my toys. This family shared everything. They taught me how a family ran. I moved in right before Christmas. But somehow they included me like I had been there from day one. I shared a room with Shauna and Jeanie. I learned how it was to be held accountable to a family, to rules, to structure. I run my family the same way today. I don’t have any of Mrs. Butterfield’s recipes but I talk to the girls every once in a while. Sort of like family does. Even to this day, I feel close to them in the way that sisters do. I don’t have to talk to them very often but just a little hello and my day is brightened. Some day I will get back to Idaho and see both of those families. They have so much for me to thank them for.

Last night I made Mrs. Zirschky’s Mississippi Mud Cake. The family kept asking “what is Mississippi Mud Cake?” Well, it’s little like an extra thick cake like brownie but it has marshmallows and chocolate frosting on top of it. The only way to describe it, is to make it and eat it! The recipe Mrs. Zirschky gave me was quick and over Facebook. There were a couple of details missing but I guessed and oh my, the smell! I was taken back! The recipe calls for nuts and the brats don’t really care for them. Thinking like Mrs. Zirschky would, I didn’t take any complaints and put them in anyways. The Little Ball Player loved this cake. The apple does not fall far from the tree! With each bite, he ooohed and gave his commentary “I like the texture Mom, the way you have crunch from the nuts and the gooey from the marshmallows..I didn't even know I liked coconut!” Ahh you just made my heart go pitter patter! The Tortured Teenager had the reaction I expected, “Can you leave out the nuts next time” Uh NO!
I hope you enjoy it!


MISSISSIPPI MUD CAKE

1 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
2 cups sugar
1&1/2 cups flour
4 eggs
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
2&1/2-3&1/2 cups mini marshmallows

Grease a 9x13 cake pan and preheat the oven to 350 (Mrs. Zirschky left this out and I used the usual temp although I think she may use a lower temp because her baking time is twice as long)
In a bowl mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, coconut and nuts. Mix well.
Melt margarine in a sauce pan over low heat, add sugar and eggs. mix well and add to the dry ingredients. Mix well and quickly and spread into the 9x13 pan

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove cake from oven and immediately cover with marshmallows. (about a half of package and then I placed back into the oven for a couple of minutes while I quickly made the frosting)
Melt 1/2 cup butter, add 1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Swirl for a muddy look.

As you eat it, try spelling MISSISSIPPI :) Little known fact, Missy and I used to sneak back to the kitchen to pick at this cake! I cant imagine how we ate more than one piece back then, it is so rich you need to serve small pieces and with milk or coffee!