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    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Quick and Easy Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

    Published: Dec 31, 2022 · Updated: Dec 31, 2022 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Quick and Easy Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Text - Chocolate Dump Cake with a small dessert plate with a portion of a chocolate dessert topped with whipped cream.

    This quick and easy Chocolate Dump Cake is full of chocolate flavor. And the best part? It takes only a few minutes to make with just 5 simple ingredients!

    Chocolate Dump Cake on a plate topped with whipped cream on a grass mat.
    Just 5 simple ingredients are needed to make this decadent chocolate dessert!

    There are nights when you crave a rich and decadent dessert but don't want anything elaborate.

    This Chocolate Dump Cake recipe is what you need! 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.

    Dump Cake Recipes are my favorite to make when I need to satisfy my sweet tooth and this one is perfect for chocolate lovers.

    Jump to:
    • Why I love this recipe!
    • How does dump cake work?
    • Ingredients
    • Directions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • A few more easy recipes you might enjoy!
    • Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

    Why I love this recipe!

    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?

    A photo of an apple spice dump cake with text around it to get the free recipe.

    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 you 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.

    For this dump cake recipe, though, it's kind of inverted. Instead of the crust being on the top, it's on the bottom.

    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 absolutely delicious in your mouth.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for a chocolate dump cake recipe on a cutting board.
    What you need to make a Chocolate Dump Cake.
    • 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!

    Directions

    Melted butter in a baking dish.

    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.

    To start, 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.

    Dry chocolate cake mix in a baking dish to make a chocolate dump cake.

    Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix and dry chocolate pudding over the melted butter in the baking dish.

    Milk in a jar next to a baking dish with ingredients for a chocolate dump cake.

    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.

    Chocolate dump cake in a baking dish with a serving spoon.

    See, not pretty. But this easy Chocolate Dump Cake is DELICIOUS.

    But, 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!

    Overhead view of chocolate dump cake in a baking dish and some on a plate next to it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What should I serve this dump cake with?

    You can top it with some whipped cream, ice cream or even caramel sauce. YUM.

    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. 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.

    Does this dump cake travel well?

    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.

    Flower decorated cake with text around it.

    A few more easy recipes you might enjoy!

    • Pumpkin Dump Cake with Yellow Cake Mix
    • Sweet Potato Cake Using Cake Mix
    • Eggnog Pudding Cake
    • Chocolate Christmas Dump Cake
    • Strawberry Dump Cake with Angel Food Cake Mix

    Save this and pin it for later!

    If you want to save this recipe make sure you Pin it for later! If you are not already you can follow me on Pinterest, as well as keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. If you make this recipe make sure to tag me in your photos and leave a star rating below!

    Plate with a serving of Chocolate Dump Cake.

    Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

    This rich and decadent Chocolate Dump Cake needs just a few ingredients and a few minutes to put it together. With chocolate cake mix and pudding, it's full of flavor and a perfect dessert idea for the chocolate lover.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 7 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 52 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 376kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    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

    Do not make the cake mix and pudding mix. You only use the dry mix in this recipe.
    The bottom will have a crust-like texture and be more gooey on the top. (I know the photos don't show this). Oops.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 523mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anita Blice says

      August 19, 2022 at 9:30 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Sharon Garofalow says

        August 19, 2022 at 1:34 pm

        I used instant pudding. I'll update the post! Thank you for letting me know about this! Sorry I missed it!

        Reply

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    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at [email protected]

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