There are nights when you crave a rich and decadent dessert but don’t want anything elaborate.
This is that recipe!
This quick and easy Chocolate Dump Cake is full of chocolate flavor. And the best part? It takes only a few minutes to make!
Dump Cake Recipes are my favorite to make when I need to satisfy my sweet tooth and this one is perfect for chocolate lovers.
Some links in this post may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I earn from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I also participate in affiliate programs for other retailers.
Easy Chocolate Dump Cake
I know, I know. The name is terrible. Just as my teen boys. And with this chocolate version, it’s even worse.
But if you can get passed the gross name of this simple dessert you’ll end up with a delicious treat.
My mom first made Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake when I was a kid. And I totally remember the buttery, golden cake mix crust.
As a grown up, I stick with fruity versions for the most part.
But when I made this Chocolate Dump Cake with Candy Bars last year for Halloween, a whole new world opened up.
A dump cake with chocolate cake mix just makes sense. Like, how could that be wrong, you know.
Do you love dump cakes? Sign up for my newsletter and get an exclusive dump cake recipe not posted on my site!
How does dump cake work
If you’ve never made a dump cake before you might not understand what they are.
A dump cake is a super simple dessert idea where layer the ingredients in a baking dish and bake. No stirring required.
The liquid from any fruit filling and butter mixes with the dry cake mix to create a delicious crust on top.
While this chocolate version doesn’t have any fruit, the melted butter and milk work together to make a decadent chocolate dessert.
Still need more information? Read Everything You Need to Know About Dump Cakes.
For this dump cake recipe, though, it’s kind of inverted. Instead of the crust being on the top, it’s on the bottom.
Does dump cake need to be refrigerated
Because this chocolate dump cake with cake mix has milk in it, I would refrigerate it.
I love to serve this recipe warm, fresh from the oven. It’s still fine at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
After that, if you have any left, you would want to cover it and store in the fridge.
It’s still delicious to eat cold but the chocolate will harden a bit and it loses some of that molten-like texture that the chocolate chips give this dessert.
When I eat the leftovers I like to pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make it soften a little.
How to make Chocolate Dump Cake
Be warned, this recipe is for a legit dump cake with one minor change.
If searching online for a recipe, you may come across a “dump cake” imposter where people actually stir and the texture is very cake-like.
This one will not have a traditional cake-like texture but more of a mess of ingredients that looks pretty terrible and tastes aboslutely delicious in your mouth.
Scroll down to see the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card.
Ingredients
- chocolate cake mix
- chocolate pudding (instant)
- chocolate chips
- milk
- butter
As with any dump cake, you do not follow the directions on the back of the cake mix box. Instead you use the powdered mix as is. Same with the pudding.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips help contribute to that rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture when baked. But you can use milk chocolate if you prefer.
And I know that people with actual baking skill and food knowledge always suggest unsalted butter in recipes.
But I like that sweet and salty taste combo and regularly reach for the salted variety.
Just try and tell me you can taste a difference in which butter is used in a dessert. I’ve got a big old eye roll for you.
The photo above shows 1 cube, but I use a little bit more on top before baking. (It will be listed in the printable recipe card).
I’ve made this dessert several ways. It might not seem like there is a reason to dump the ingredients in, in a certain order, but there is.
When done this way, you get a delicious crumbly chocolate dessert.
When done differently, you end up with a weird gloppy chocolate dessert that I will still eat but it’s not right.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Spray your baking dish with some baking spray.
Add your melted butter to your baking dish.
Even though you have butter on the bottom, it is quickly absorbed by the next layer so the spray is really helpful.
Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix and dry chocolate pudding over the melted butter in the baking dish.
Pour the milk over the top of the dry ingredients.
Here is where I take a slight shift from traditional dump cakes. I use a fork and do a quick little move around.
It’s not a stir. It’s just to ensure that the top of the dry ingredients are touched by the milk.
I like to finish the top with a few pats of butter on top before I put it in the oven.
The pats of butter are slowly melted as it bakes and helps to ensure the top gets that buttery crust that is delicious.
You can skip the extra butter but why? Butter makes everything better.
See, not pretty. But this easy Chocolate Dump Cake is DELICIOUS.
Dump Cakes are the perfect party or potluck dessert. They easily feed a crowd and are easy to serve in a bowl or on a plate.
They also transport well, as long as the pan is cool enough to handle.
You’ll notice the top of this dump cake in the photos is crusty.
This is because I went rogue and made this wrong. I wasn’t paying attention. But I was too far in and decided to roll with it.
If you follow my printable directions correctly, the crust is on the bottom and the top needs to just be “set”.
At some point I will update the photos. But this recipe is too yummy to make you wait!
To serve this delicious chocolate dessert, you can top it with some whipped cream, ice cream or even caramel sauce. YUM.
If you’re a chocolate and caramel dessert fan be sure to check out my Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake!
Supplies to make this recipe
If you are a chocolate fan, you should also check out these delicious desserts.
- Another super simple dessert recipe to have on hand is this Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake dessert! It’s my most popular recipe!
- Have you ever made Ice Cream Nachos? Your kids will love this yummy dessert idea.
- Are you a dessert and cocktail fan? Try out one of my easy Alcohol Infused Cupcakes!
- Do you love easy dessert? Try these boxed cake mix dessert recipes.
- How cute is this Make Your Own Mini Dump Cake Party Idea from Celebrations at Home?
Printable recipe
Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce Chocolate Cake Mix
- 3.5 ounce Chocolate Pudding Mix (instant)
- 12 oz bag of chocolate chips
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 ½ cups milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray baking dish with spray.
- Melt ½ cup of butter and put in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Sprinkle on dry chocolate cake mix as evenly as possible.
- Sprinkle on dry chocolate pudding mix.
- Evenly pour milk over the dry ingredients.
- Use the back of a spoon to ensure that all of the cake and pudding mix end up wet. (not really stirring, more like moving)
- Top with chocolate chips.
- Add the last ¼ cup of butter in thin pats evenly spread out on top.
- Bake for about 30-45 minutes or until the top is just set.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin to save this dump cake with chocolate cake mix for later
Chocolate Dump Cake is the perfect quick and easy dessert to make when you want a treat but don’t want to put much effort in.
Anita Blice says
Do you use instant or cook n serve pudding. Seems to me that might make a big difference, but it’s not stipulated which kind in recipe. Thanks. Looks yummy!
Sharon Garofalow says
I used instant pudding. I’ll update the post! Thank you for letting me know about this! Sorry I missed it!