Ready for a quick, decadent chocolate dessert that feels gourmet but takes minimal effort? This chocolate dump cake recipe is your new best friend. It delivers maximum flavor with hardly any fuss, perfect for satisfying those intense cravings or surprising guests. Embrace simplicity without sacrificing rich, comforting taste!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Dump Cake

You’ll adore this easy chocolate dump cake for so many reasons, making it a staple in your recipe collection.

Effortless Preparation: No fancy mixers or complex steps needed.
Minimal Cleanup: It’s a one-pan wonder, saving you precious time.
Fudgy, Rich Flavor: Expect deep, indulgent chocolate in every bite.
Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it with your favorite toppings and mix-ins.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or a cozy night in.
Beginner-Friendly: Even novice bakers can achieve perfect results.

Ingredients

Creating this delightful chocolate dump cake requires just a few pantry staples. Gather these items to begin your baking adventure.

1 box Devil’s Food cake mix (15.25 ounces): This is the standard box size you find in most grocery stores.
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 ounces): Make sure it’s instant pudding, not cook-and-serve.
2 cups whole milk: Whole milk adds richness and a creamy texture to the cake.
½ cup unsalted butter, melted: Melt the butter thoroughly before adding.
1 bag milk or semisweet chocolate chips (11.5 ounces): Choose your preferred sweetness level, or even a mix of both.

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this chocolate dessert recipe based on what you have on hand.

Cake Mix: Any chocolate-flavored cake mix will work beautifully for this recipe.
Milk: Feel free to use dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk, though the texture might vary slightly.
Butter: Margarine or a neutral oil like canola can substitute for butter.
Chocolate Chips: Experiment with white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even dark chocolate for an intense flavor.
Add-ins: Elevate your cake by stirring in chopped nuts, toffee bits, shredded coconut, or dried fruit with the chocolate chips.

Equipment

You won’t need much special equipment for this simple dessert.

9×13-inch baking pan
Nonstick cooking spray
Large spoon or spatula
Toothpicks for testing doneness

Instructions

Follow these easy steps to create your perfect chocolate dump cake. This process is straightforward and designed for success!

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake bakes evenly from the start.
Prepare Pan: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Combine Dry Mixes: Pour the entire box of dry Devil’s Food cake mix into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the package of instant chocolate pudding mix directly over the cake mix. Stir these dry ingredients together using a large spoon or spatula until well combined.
Add Wet Ingredients: Next, pour in the 2 cups of whole milk and the ½ cup of melted unsalted butter.
Mix Batter: Mix all the ingredients gently but thoroughly with your spoon or spatula until everything is fully incorporated. Ensure there are no dry spots of cake or pudding mix remaining. The batter will be thick.
Spread Evenly: Spread the cake batter into an even layer across the bottom of the baking pan. This ensures uniform baking.
Sprinkle Chips: Generously sprinkle the entire bag of milk or semisweet chocolate chips over the top of the cake batter. These will melt into gooey pockets of chocolate.
Bake Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes.
Test Doneness: To check if your chocolate dump cake is ready, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with only moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter.
Cool Slightly: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up properly.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieve the best results every time with these helpful tips for your chocolate dump cake.

Research highlights the importance of using room temperature ingredients in baking for a smoother, more uniform batter and improved texture.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure milk and butter are at room temperature for a smoother, more uniform batter.
Avoid Overmixing: Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tougher cake.
For Fudgier Cake: Slightly underbake the cake; a toothpick with moist crumbs attached indicates a perfectly fudgy center.
Prevent Dry Spots: As you mix, scrape the sides and bottom of the pan to ensure all dry mix is incorporated into the batter.
Deep Chocolate Flavor: For an intensely rich chocolate experience, opt for dark chocolate cake mix and dark chocolate instant pudding.
Avoid Burnt Top: If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This chocolate dump cake is incredibly versatile, from how you serve it to how you store leftovers and creative variations.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this decadent dessert warm for the best experience.

A scoop of cold vanilla ice cream melting on top is classic.
Dollop with whipped cream and scatter fresh raspberries or strawberries.
Lightly dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Drizzle with a rich caramel sauce or extra chocolate fudge sauce.

Storage Instructions

Keep your leftover chocolate cake fresh for later enjoyment.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to restore that freshly baked feel.

Variations

Get creative with your easy chocolate dessert!

Mint Chocolate: Add a teaspoon of mint extract to the batter and sprinkle mint chocolate chips on top.
Peanut Butter: Swap out some chocolate chips for peanut butter chips for a nutty twist.
S’mores: After 25 minutes of baking, sprinkle mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs on top, then bake until golden.
Caramel Swirl: Swirl in ½ cup of caramel sauce into the batter before baking for a gooey caramel surprise.

Nutrition

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving of this delicious chocolate dump cake.

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	417 kcal
Carbohydrates	54 g
Protein	4 g
Fat	23 g
Saturated Fat	12 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2 g
Monounsaturated Fat	5 g
Trans Fat	0.3 g
Cholesterol	25 mg
Sodium	445 mg
Potassium	282 mg
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	38 g
Vitamin A	303 IU
Calcium	127 mg
Iron	2 mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an approximation only and may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about making this simple dessert.

What is a dump cake? A dump cake is a super simple, no-fuss dessert where ingredients are often “dumped” into a pan with minimal mixing.
Do I need to stir the ingredients? Yes, for this chocolate dump cake, you mix the dry ingredients first, then add wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
Can I use sugar-free mixes? Absolutely! You can use sugar-free cake and pudding mixes, but you might need to adjust the liquid slightly.
Can I use different cake/pudding flavors? Yes, the beauty of dump cakes is their versatility; feel free to experiment with various flavor combinations.
How do I know it’s done? Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with only moist crumbs, it’s ready.
Can I freeze chocolate dump cake? Yes, you can freeze leftovers. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for best results.
Why is my dump cake dry? A dry cake is usually a sign of overbaking; always check your cake for doneness a few minutes before the minimum baking time.

Conclusion

This easy chocolate dump cake recipe truly embodies simplicity and deliciousness in one perfect dessert. Its minimal preparation and maximum flavor make it an absolute win for busy parents and beginner bakers alike. We encourage you to whip up this satisfying treat and enjoy its rich, fudgy goodness. Please share your creations and rate the recipe in the comments below!