Southern charm meets chocolate decadence in Reese Witherspoon’s Mississippi Mud Trifle, a dessert that’s as crowd-pleasing as it is effortless. Inspired by the famous Mississippi Mud Pie, this no-bake trifle layers velvety chocolate pudding, crumbled chocolate cake, crushed Oreos, and a cloud of Cool Whip.
Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or a cozy night in, Reese’s trifle is proof that you don’t need fancy techniques to make something spectacular — just a love of chocolate and a Southern sense of hospitality.
Why Everyone Will Love This Recipe
- No-bake dessert: Layers of chocolate goodness without turning on the oven.
- Classic Southern flavor: Inspired by the traditional Mississippi Mud Pie.
- Quick and impressive: Assembles in minutes and looks stunning in a trifle dish.
- Perfect for sharing: A guaranteed hit at any family dinner or party.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 (5.9 oz.) box instant dark chocolate or fudge pudding
- 3 cups coarsely crumbled chocolate cake (homemade or from a mix)
- 2 cups crushed Oreo cookies
How to Make Reese Witherspoon's Mississippi Mud Trifle
- Defrost the Cool Whip according to package directions. In a large bowl, prepare the instant pudding following the instructions on the box, whisking until smooth and creamy.
- In a glass trifle dish or deep serving bowl, add a 1-inch layer of crumbled chocolate cake at the bottom. Press lightly to form an even layer.
- Spoon about an inch of chocolate pudding over the cake. Sprinkle a generous layer of crushed Oreos on top for a satisfying crunch.
- Spread an even layer of Cool Whip over the Oreos, smoothing it with a spatula for a clean look.
- Continue layering in the same order — cake, pudding, Oreos, and Cool Whip — until you’ve used all the ingredients. Finish with a final, fluffy layer of Cool Whip on top.
- For a picture-perfect finish, garnish the top with extra cake crumbles, crushed Oreos, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup if desired.
- Serve immediately, or chill until about an hour before serving for the best texture.
How to Store
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Avoid freezing: Cool Whip and pudding don’t thaw well after freezing — enjoy this dessert fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this trifle ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the trifle up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve. The flavors meld beautifully overnight.
Can I substitute homemade whipped cream for Cool Whip?
Absolutely — use about 3 cups of homemade whipped cream sweetened with a little powdered sugar and vanilla.
What kind of chocolate cake works best?
Any moist chocolate cake will do! Box mix, leftover cake, or even brownies make a great base.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes — use gluten-free chocolate cake and gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies instead of Oreos.
How can I make it extra fancy?
Top it with chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle, or even toasted pecans for a Southern-inspired twist.
;Resize,width=767;)
