There are many variations of this, some with different names and little differences in ingredients. It’s certainly a southern staple. This is a recipe I’ve had for years. I remember that my Aunt Mary was the first to make it for a family gathering back in the seventies. She passed the recipe along. I realized recently that I had not made this in many years and I decided that this past Thanksgiving was just the right time to change that. It was every bit as delicious as I remembered.
1 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 dash of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of pecans
4 cups mini marshmallows
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cover bottom of 9 x 13 pan with cake release
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
- Add the cocoa and stir.
- Remove from the heat.
- Pour butter mixture into a mixing bowl and add sugar and eggs.
- Mix until blended.
- Add the vanilla.
- Mix in the flour and salt.
- Stir in the pecans.
- Put batter into prepared pan and cook for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cover with marshmallows.
- Return to oven for approximately 3 minutes to allow marshmallows to begin to melt.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
- For Frosting
- 1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Combine all of the ingredients and mix until smooth. Spread frosting on cooled cake.

Beverly shares easy, inexpensive craft tutorials, diy projects for the home, coastal decor projects, & thrift store find makeover projects all designed to help you create a beautiful home on a budget.
Laurie says
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Beverly Roderick says
Thanks, Laurie! It’s easy to put together and packs a ton of flavor.
Dee M says
This looks awesome — pinning so that I can try this soon! I’m so glad to have you share this at Snickerdoodle Sunday. 🙂
Beverly Roderick says
I hope you enjoy it, Dee. Thanks for the pin! I’m happy to share on Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Alli Smith says
I could eat that chocolate frosting with a spoon! I love the way it hardens just a bit and has a crunch to it. Personally, I think it would be the perfect breakfast. I just love sweets for breakfast. I don’t indulge very often, but I think you have a better chance of burning off the calories if you eat it early in the morning. 🙂 Looks delicious! Pinning!
Beverly Roderick says
Oh, there is a lot of spoon licking that takes place when making this! I like your reasoning about burning off calories! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the pin.
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
Mmm… this looks devilishly good! I remember my Mississippi grandmother and my aunt making something like this. I hadn’t thought about it in years. Thanks for the memories and the recipe, I will be giving this heavenly treat a try. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Beverly Roderick says
Thank you, Lorelai. Happy to have reminded you! It’s an old favorite that I had forgotten about, too. Glad to share at #HomeMattersParty. Thanks for hosting.
Dee M says
Stopping by again to let you know you’re one of my features at this week’s Snickerdoodle! Can’t wait to see what you have to share this week. 🙂
Beverly Roderick says
Thanks so much, Dee! I’m delighted you like it. On my way to check out the party now.
Leia says
That sounds delicious, and those melty marshmallows look SO tempting!
-Leia @ Eat It & Say Yum
Beverly Roderick says
Thanks, Leia. I love the melted marshmallows-they add lots of gooey deliciousness to the cake. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Cat Elsby says
Yum! This looks delicious. Thanks for linking up at On Display thursday, we hope to see you there tomorrow morning 🙂
Beverly Roderick says
It is! Thanks, Cat. Thanks for hosting. I’m glad I found your party.
Theresa Begin says
My goodness! Again, Love it!! Pinned to the Party Board (and my own Recipes to try..Shh)
Thanks so much for sharing with us at What to do Weekends!
Theresa
Beverly Roderick says
Thank you, Theresa! I hope you’ll try it and love it. Happy to share on What to do Weekends. Thanks for hosting!
Beverly says
I know! It’s such a delicious dessert. I don’t make it very often but every time I do, I love it.
Gail @Purple Hues and Me says
This is a very decadent dessert, Beverly – one that I must try! You make it seem so easy to make and I love that pecans are in it!
Beverly says
It is, Gail! It’s definitely a special occasion dessert! I hope you enjoy it if you try it!
Jovanhanna says
Yum! You had me at cake. My daughter loves baking. This is going on our Must Make list!
Beverly says
Thanks, Jovanhanna! I hope you’ll love it.
Sherry says
You know I want this cake!
Beverly says
It is a tasty one!