Easy Chocolate Dump Cake

Growing up, I thought chocolate cake had to be this complicated thing with multiple bowls and precise measurements. My attempts usually ended with me covered in cocoa powder and my kitchen looking like a tornado hit it. That’s until my neighbor introduced me to dump cakes at a block party.

Just like the name suggests, you literally dump the ingredients into a pan and let the oven do its thing. No fancy mixing techniques, no multiple bowls to wash, and somehow it comes out perfect every time. For anyone who’s ever felt intimidated by baking, this chocolate dump cake is your new best friend.

What Kind of Chocolate Cake Mix Should I Use?

Any standard chocolate cake mix from the grocery store will work great in this dump cake recipe. The most common brands like Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, or Pillsbury all make good options – just look for a basic chocolate or devil’s food cake mix that’s around 15-16 ounces. While you might be tempted to grab a fancy triple chocolate or German chocolate variety, stick with the regular chocolate cake mix since you’re already adding plenty of chocolate flavor with the pudding and chips. If you spot a cake mix labeled “super moist” or “pudding in the mix,” those work perfectly fine too. Just avoid any mixes that come with separate filling packets or frosting, as those aren’t needed for this recipe.

Options for Substitutions

This easy dessert can be tweaked with several simple swaps if needed:

• Chocolate cake mix: Any brand of chocolate cake mix works here. You can also use devil’s food cake mix for a darker chocolate flavor, or even try a German chocolate cake mix.
• Instant chocolate pudding: Feel free to experiment with other pudding flavors – vanilla works great for a lighter taste, or try butterscotch for a fun twist. Just keep the package size the same.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: You can swap these with milk chocolate chips for a sweeter taste, or dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor. White chocolate chips or even peanut butter chips work too!
• 2% milk: Any type of milk works here – whole milk will make it richer, while 1% or skim milk will make it lighter. Non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk are fine too, just make sure they’re unflavored.
• Vanilla ice cream: While vanilla ice cream is classic, feel free to serve with any ice cream flavor you like. Whipped cream or cool whip make great alternatives too.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making chocolate dump cake is overmixing the ingredients – remember, the beauty of this cake lies in its rustic, uneven texture, so just spread the dry cake mix evenly and resist the urge to stir.

Temperature control is crucial – using cold milk straight from the fridge can cause the chocolate chips to seize up, so let your milk come to room temperature before adding it to prevent a grainy texture.

Many bakers make the error of opening the oven door too frequently to check on the cake, which causes uneven baking and sinking – instead, wait until you see the edges pulling away from the pan and only then check with a toothpick (it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean, for that perfect fudgy texture).

For the best results, let the cake cool for at least 20 minutes before serving, as this allows the pudding layer to set properly and creates that irresistible gooey center.

What to Serve With Chocolate Dump Cake?

This rich chocolate cake practically begs for something cool and creamy on the side! While it’s perfect with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream, you can also try serving it with fresh whipped cream or a glass of cold milk to balance out the chocolatey goodness. For a fun twist, try adding some fresh berries on the side – strawberries or raspberries work great with chocolate and add a nice fresh pop of flavor. If you’re serving this at a party, consider putting out a few different topping options like caramel sauce, chopped nuts, or extra chocolate chips so everyone can customize their slice.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your chocolate dump cake has cooled completely, cover it with plastic wrap or pop it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good at room temperature for up to 3 days, though I doubt it’ll last that long! If you live somewhere warm, you might want to keep it in the fridge instead.

Refrigerate: Want to extend the life of your cake? Keep it in the fridge in an airtight container, and it’ll stay fresh for up to a week. The chocolate flavor actually gets even better after a day or two!

Freeze: This cake freezes really well! Cut it into portions, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for a slice, just thaw it overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature.

Warm Up: If you like your cake warm (especially nice with ice cream!), pop a slice in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. The chocolate chips will get slightly melty again – so good!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	35-40 minutes
Total Time	45-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3000-3400
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 400-450 g

Ingredients

• 1 standard box chocolate cake mix
• 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding
• 2 cups total semisweet chocolate chips (12 ounces per cup)
• 2 cups 2% milk
• Optional: vanilla ice cream

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

While the oven is warming up, grease a 13×9-inch baking dish thoroughly to ensure the cake doesn’t stick during baking.

Step 2: Layer Dry Ingredients

Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix into the greased baking dish, creating the first layer.

Next, sprinkle the dry pudding mix evenly over the cake mix.

This will create a two-layer base that provides richness to the cake.

Step 3: Add Chocolate Chips and Milk

Pour 1-3/4 cups of chocolate chips over the pudding mix layer, spreading them as evenly as possible.

Drizzle milk over the chocolate chips, making sure to cover the entire surface so the dry ingredients begin to hydrate.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

Gently stir the layers to combine the dry and wet ingredients.

The mixture will be thick and lumpy, which is perfectly normal for a dump cake.

Step 5: Finalize and Bake

Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top of the mixed ingredients for an extra chocolatey finish.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

The cake is done when the top appears set and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the dish.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire rack.

This will make it easier to cut and serve.

Enjoy your chocolate dump cake warm for the best taste experience.