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This chocolate dump cake recipe will be your new best friend when you’re craving a rich, chocolatey dessert that feels like you actually tried — but secretly took almost no effort.

Chocolate Dump Cake

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This is one of those desserts that looks unassuming, but the second you dig in… wow. It’s ultra-moist, deeply chocolatey, and borderline fudgy in the very best way. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and suddenly you’ve got a dessert that feels straight out of a restaurant with only about five minutes of prep.

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I’ll be honest: this chocolate dump cake recipe took us a couple tries to get just right. The key? Giving it a gentle mix after pouring in the milk. Skip that step and you’ll end up with chocolate soup and a buttery layer floating on top (ask me how we know 😅). Once we figured that part out, though? Absolute perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

Ridiculously easy – no bowls, no mixer, no stress
Super moist and fudgy thanks to pudding mix + milk
Perfect for a crowd (or chocolate emergencies)
Minimal ingredients you probably already have

This isn’t just a dump chocolate cake — it’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast and has people asking for the recipe before they’ve finished their plate.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chocolate cake mix
Milk
Instant chocolate pudding mix
Butter, melted and cooled
Chocolate chips

Step by Step Directions

Prep the pan. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer the dry ingredients. Sprinkle the chocolate cake mix evenly into the bottom of the dish, then cover with the instant chocolate pudding mix. Use a fork or spoon to spread everything into an even layer.
Add the liquid. Whisk the cooled melted butter into the milk, then pour it evenly over the dry mixture.
Give it a gentle mix. This step matters! Lightly stir just enough so the milk reaches the bottom — don’t fully mix it like batter.
Top it off. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.
Bake. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, until set but still fudgy in the center.

Let it cool slightly before serving… or don’t. I won’t judge.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Cake Dump Recipe

Don’t overmix. A light stir is all you need — this isn’t traditional cake batter.
Pudding size flexibility. I used a large family-size pudding mix, but a standard box works great too.
Serve warm. This chocolate cake dump cake is next level with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

More Delicious Dump Cake Recipes

How to Make Chocolate Dump Cake

5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

Created by: April Woods

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

8 portions

A rich, fudgy chocolate dump cake made with cake mix and pudding.

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Ingredients

▢ 1 box chocolate cake mix
▢ 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix (3 – 6 ounces)
▢ 2 cups milk
▢ ½ cup melted butter cooled
▢ 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

Sprinkle the cake mix into the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, then cover with the instant pudding mix. Use a fork or a spoon to spread the mix evenly along the bottom of the dish.
Whisk the cooled melted butter into the milk, then pour evenly over the cake/pudding mix. Gently give it a little mix – you don’t want to mix it fully, just enough that the milk is able to reach the mix on the bottom of the baking dish.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top and bake in a preheated oven at 350℉ for 30 to 35 minutes.

Notes

Calories are automatically generated. For best results calculate based on your exact ingredients.

Recipe Notes:

Give the cake a gentle stir after pouring in the milk so the liquid reaches the bottom—do not fully mix.
Either a standard or family-size instant chocolate pudding mix works, you want between 3 – 6 ounces.
Bake just until set; the center should stay slightly fudgy.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 450kcal

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The Final Verdict

This chocolate dump cake recipe is everything a dessert should be: easy, indulgent, and completely irresistible. It’s the kind of chocolate cake dump recipe you keep in your back pocket for potlucks, last-minute guests, or when you just need something sweet now.

Super moist. Super fudgy. So yummy — OMG.

Tools We Love

Glass casserole dish with lid – I love this dish, it can go from freezer to oven!
Spatula – These ingredients are ooey gooey and sticky. You for sure want to be using a spatula to make sure you’re properly measuring and using all your ingredients.
Stainless steel mixing bowls – Classic, basic, mixing bowls that everyone should have in your kitchen. You’ve seen me use them on the cooking show at least seventy bajillion times. Ish.