Let’s Celebrate Chocolate Chip Day with Two Over-the-Top Mud Pies

When it comes to chocolate chips, I firmly believe there’s no such thing as “too much,” so I went all out and made mud pies.

It’s National Chocolate Chip Day, so I pulled out all the stops for a dinner party I hosted by making not one but two decadent, over-the-top Mud Pies featuring chocolate chips in all their glory.

Two Over-the-Top Mud Pies with Chocolate Chips

What’s your favorite dessert?

For years, my favorite has been mud pie.

Many of you know I gave up dessert nine years ago when one of my sons had a cancer scare. (It turned out to be a false alarm, but I decided giving up desserts might be good.) I may not be eating these mud pies, but I had 12 golfers at our dinner party, and they loved them!

Both mud pies started with a layer of rich, fudgy chocolate chip brownie crust (because why not double the chocolate chip joy?), but from there, I let my dessert imagination run wild. One pie leaned classic – coffee chip ice cream, chocolate ganache, and whipped cream.

The other took a playful twist with peanut butter chocolate ice cream, a peanut butter and chocolate ganache layer, whipped cream, and chocolate chips. It felt like a Reese’s-inspired masterpiece.

Both were sprinkled generously with chocolate chips on top, and both were showstoppers.

Today, I’m sharing the recipes, the inspiration behind these over-the-top mud pies, and a little history on the dessert that’s been stealing hearts for decades.

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Mud Pie: A Dessert with Down-and-Dirty Charm

Mud Pie might not have the most elegant name, but it has an irresistible legacy. The name “Mud Pie” is believed to have originated in Mississippi, where this rich, gooey dessert was said to resemble the dark, sticky mud along the banks of the Mississippi River. Over time, Mississippi Mud Pie became a beloved Southern classic, famous for its layers of dense chocolate crust, creamy fillings, and decadent toppings.

Though its exact origin is a little muddy (pun fully intended), Mud Pie exploded in popularity in the 1970s and 80s, appearing on restaurant menus and potluck tables across America. It was the ultimate comfort dessert: messy, over-the-top, and unapologetically decadent.

The beauty of Mud Pie is its flexibility. There’s no single “official” version. Some are made with cookie crusts, some with brownies. Fillings range from pudding to mousse to ice cream. And let’s not forget the countless ways to top it: ganache, caramel, whipped cream, chocolate chips – you name it. That’s part of the fun.

Why I Made Two Mud Pies (And Why You Should, Too!)

When planning the dinner party menu, I wanted to end the night with a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert that would make everyone feel like a kid again. I came up with Mud Pie.

But as I stood in the ice cream aisle, I was torn. Coffee chip? Peanut butter chocolate? Why choose? I decided to make both versions, and it was the best decision of the night.

Here’s how each pie came together and how you can recreate them at home.

Ultimate Mud Pie with Chocolate Chips

How to Make These Two Delicious Versions

Make the Brownie Crust

Prepare the brownie mix as directed on the box and stir in chocolate chips for extra texture and indulgence. Pour into a greased 9-inch deep-dish pie pan or springform pan and bake until set but still fudgy (don’t overbake – you want it gooey). Let cool completely. (Speed things up by chilling it in the fridge.)

Fill with Ice Cream

Once the brownie crust is cool, spread the softened coffee chip ice cream in one pie and the peanut butter chocolate ice cream in the other. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips into each ice cream layer and place both pies in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours or until firm.

Make the Ganache

Heat the heavy cream until just simmering, pour over the chocolate chips, and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy. Let cool slightly, then pour over the frozen pies and return to the freezer for at least to set.

Peanut Butter Drizzle

Drizzle warmed peanut butter over the ganache layer for a peanut butter cup-inspired touch.

Garnish and Serve

Decorate pies with generous swirls of whipped cream and sprinkle extra chocolate chips. Slice and serve straight from the freezer.

Full Circle Chocolate Chip Love

Both pies were a hit at the dinner party. The classic version with coffee chip ice cream was rich, bold, and perfectly bittersweet – like a fancy mocha in dessert form. The peanut butter version was pure comfort food bliss, with the peanut butter drizzle taking it over the top.

And let’s not forget the chocolate chips. Sprinkled inside and on top, they added texture, crunch, and that familiar chocolatey bite that made this dessert feel nostalgic and extra special.

Mud Pie Variations: Endless Possibilities

One of the reasons I love Mud Pie is how endlessly customizable it is. If you want to switch it up, here are a few ideas:

1. Mint Chocolate Mud Pie

• Swap the ice cream for a mint chocolate chip.
• Garnish with Andes mints and a drizzle of hot fudge.

2. Cookies & Cream Mud Pie

• Use Oreo ice cream.
• Garnish with crushed Oreos and white chocolate drizzle.

3. S’mores Mud Pie

• Use chocolate marshmallow ice cream.
• Top with toasted marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, and a drizzle of ganache.

4. Salted Caramel Mud Pie

• Use caramel swirl ice cream.
• Add a layer of salted caramel sauce under the ganache.
• Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.

5. Nutty Mud Pie

• Use butter pecan or pistachio ice cream.
• Top with toasted nuts, ganache, and caramel drizzle.

Why Mud Pie Deserves a Comeback

Mud Pie might not have the elegant presentation of a layered cake or the refinement of a soufflé, but that’s precisely its charm. It’s approachable, messy in the best way, and guaranteed to make any table of guests ooh and ahh.

In today’s world of Instagram-perfect desserts, there’s something freeing about a dessert that celebrates being over-the-top, gooey, and indulgent. Mud pie invites people to dig in, laugh, and enjoy the moment.

Final Thoughts: Celebrating Chocolate Chip Day in the Sweetest Way

National Chocolate Chip Day was the perfect excuse to revisit this classic dessert, but honestly, do we ever need an excuse for chocolate chips? These two Mud Pies were a nod to nostalgia and a reminder that sometimes, the simplest ingredients – chocolate, cream, ice cream, and a sprinkle of chips – create the most magical memories.

Whether you stick with the classic, try the peanut butter twist, or invent your version, I hope these Mud Pies inspire you to embrace the joy of dessert, celebrate the little things, and, most importantly, never skimp on the chocolate chips.

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Blogger’s Best National Chocolate Chip Day Recipes

Easy Chocolate Chip Biscotti | My Sweet Savannah

Try this easy chocolate chip biscotti recipe hack using cake mix! With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have crispy, chocolate-filled biscotti in no time. Perfect for pairing with coffee or tea!

Chai Spiced Overnight Oats with Mini Chocolate Chips | Most Lovely Things

Chocolate chips make everything better! Even chai spiced overnight oats!

Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe | Happy Happy Nester

This Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe is my go-to when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want the hassle of scooping out dough or waiting for multiple batches of cookies. These bars are soft, chewy, and loaded with melty chocolate chips. They’re like your favorite chocolate chip cookies but much easier. Just mix the dough, press it into a pan, and bake. You’ll save time and still get that warm, gooey, fresh-from-the-oven taste everyone loves.

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