Introduction

This Chocolate Dump Cake is an effortless dessert perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings with minimal effort. Combining cake mix, pudding, and your favorite mix-ins, it creates a rich, moist treat that’s sure to please any crowd.

A single square brownie piece with a dark, rich, and moist texture forms the base, embedded with colorful red, green, and blue candy-coated chocolates and dark chocolate chips on top. A large scoop of white vanilla ice cream sits on the brownie, slightly melting and dripping down the sides. The dessert is placed on a white plate with bright red polka dots, sitting on a white marbled surface with a soft red cloth and a wooden board blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 box instant chocolate pudding (5.1 ounces)
½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
2 ½ cups milk
1-2 cups mix-ins (such as chocolate chips, M&Ms, nuts, or marshmallows)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: In the baking dish, evenly spread the dry chocolate cake mix.
Step 3: Sprinkle the instant chocolate pudding powder evenly over the cake mix layer.
Step 4: Add your choice of mix-ins over the pudding layer, distributing them evenly.
Step 5: Pour the milk evenly over all the dry ingredients without stirring.
Step 6: Drizzle the melted butter evenly on top of the mixture.
Step 7: Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
Step 8: Let the cake cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

Use a variety of mix-ins for different textures and flavors; mini marshmallows add a gooey touch, while nuts offer a nice crunch.
Try substituting the milk with coffee or almond milk for a subtle flavor twist.
For an extra indulgent topping, sprinkle powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Storage

Store leftover dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to enjoy warm. The cake may firm up when chilled, so warming helps restore its moist texture.

How to Serve

A rich, dark chocolate brownie with a moist and crumbly texture forms the base layer, studded on top with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces in red, green, yellow, and orange, and some smooth dark chocolate chips. Sitting on top is a generous scoop of creamy white vanilla ice cream that is slightly melting and dripping down the side of the brownie. The dessert is placed on a white plate decorated with bright red polka dots, set against a white marbled surface with a hint of a wooden board and red fabric in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cake mixes instead of chocolate?

Yes, you can substitute chocolate cake mix with vanilla or yellow cake mix for a different flavor, but keep in mind the dessert’s chocolate richness will be less intense.

Do I have to add the mix-ins?

No, mix-ins are optional. They add extra texture and flavor, but the cake will still be delicious without them.

Decadent Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 70 reviews

This Chocolate Dump Cake recipe is an incredibly easy and delicious dessert that combines the rich flavors of chocolate cake mix, instant chocolate pudding, and your favorite mix-ins. With minimal prep and a simple dump-and-bake method, this cake is perfect for quick weeknight treats or last-minute celebrations. The melted butter and milk create a moist, fudgy texture, while customizable mix-ins add fun texture and flavor variations.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cake and Pudding Mix

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 box instant chocolate pudding (5.1 ounces)

Wet Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
2 ½ cups milk

Optional Mix-ins

1–2 cups mix-ins (such as chocolate chips, M&Ms, nuts, or marshmallows)

Instructions

Prepare the oven and baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Mix the pudding and milk: In a medium bowl, whisk the instant chocolate pudding together with 2 ½ cups of cold milk until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside.
Layer the cake mix: Sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Do not mix.
Add mix-ins: Evenly scatter your chosen mix-ins (such as chocolate chips, M&Ms, nuts, or marshmallows) over the dry cake mix layer.
Pour pudding mixture and butter: Pour the prepared pudding mixture evenly over the cake mix and mix-ins, spreading it out gently if needed. Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the top of the entire dish.
Bake the cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is bubbly, and the edges are set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out moist but with no raw batter.
Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This helps the pudding layer set and makes slicing easier. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

You can customize this dump cake with your favorite mix-ins like nuts, candies, or marshmallows for added texture.
Use whole milk for the best pudding consistency, but you can substitute with 2% milk.
For a richer flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the pudding mixture.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Keywords: Chocolate dump cake, easy chocolate cake, quick dessert, pudding cake, chocolate mix dessert