Mississippi Mud Poke Cake

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cake:

1 box Super Moist Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
1 cup Milk
½ cup Salted Butter, melted
4 Eggs

For the Ganache:

1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
10.5 oz Mini Marshmallows (reserve ½ cup for sprinkling on top)

For the Icing:

1 stick Salted Butter, melted
3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
⅓ cup Heavy Cream
3 cups Powdered Sugar
1 cup Pecans, toasted and sprinkled on top
½ cup Marshmallows, sprinkled on top

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
Spread chopped pecans evenly on a baking sheet and toast them for 5-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them cool, as they’ll be used for topping later.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, milk, melted butter, and eggs until smooth, replacing the ingredients listed on the back of the cake box. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake according to the package directions, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the top of the cake, ensuring they reach the bottom.
In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until smooth and well combined.
Pour the ganache over the poked cake, ensuring the holes are filled. Sprinkle 10 oz of mini marshmallows evenly over the ganache while it’s still warm.
Return the cake to the oven for 1-2 minutes, or until the marshmallows are slightly melted. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Allow the cake to cool slightly while preparing the icing.
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, and heavy cream until combined.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and beat with a mixer until smooth.
Spread the icing evenly over the cooled cake.
Sprinkle the top of the cake with the toasted, chopped pecans and the reserved ½ cup of mini marshmallows.
Optionally, place the cake under the broiler for an additional 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the marshmallows on top, watching closely to prevent burning.