Best Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

Chocolate Dump Cake

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! If you’re looking for a decadent yet ridiculously easy dessert, this Chocolate Dump Cake is the answer. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a gooey, rich, and irresistible chocolate cake perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering, potluck, or just a weeknight treat, this recipe is a game-changer.

Ingredients

To make this Chocolate Dump Cake, you’ll need:

1 box of chocolate cake mix (any brand will do)
1 package (3.9 oz) of instant chocolate pudding mix
1 3/4 cups milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as pecans or walnuts)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Toppings:

Whipped cream
Vanilla ice cream
Caramel or chocolate drizzle
Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. This ensures that the cake doesn’t stick to the pan and makes for easy serving later.

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Base

In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate pudding mix with the milk. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken slightly, which should take about 2 minutes. This pudding layer is essential for creating a fudgy, moist texture in the final cake.

Step 3: Assemble the Dump Cake

Take your greased baking dish and evenly spread the thickened chocolate pudding mixture across the bottom. Make sure it covers the entire base to create a consistent layer.

Next, take the chocolate cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the pudding layer. Do not mix or stir—this is what makes the dump cake work! The dry mix will absorb moisture as it bakes, creating a unique texture.

Drizzle the melted butter and evaporated milk over the top of the dry cake mix. Try to pour them evenly to moisten as much of the cake mix as possible, but again, resist the urge to stir.

Finally, sprinkle the chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using) over the top. The chocolate chips will melt into the cake, creating pockets of gooey chocolate goodness, while the nuts add a delightful crunch.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. You’ll know the cake is done when the top looks set and has a slightly crispy texture, while the middle remains soft and gooey.

If you prefer a firmer cake, you can bake it for an additional 5 minutes. However, part of the appeal of a dump cake is its molten, slightly underbaked center, so be sure not to overbake it!

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. This allows the chocolate to set slightly, making it easier to serve while still keeping that gooey texture.

For serving, scoop generous portions onto plates and top with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce for an extra indulgent treat.

Recipe Tip

For an even richer chocolate experience, use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet. You can also experiment with flavored extracts like almond or hazelnut to give the cake a unique twist. If you prefer a gooier texture, slightly underbake the cake by 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

While this cake is undeniably delicious, it’s also quite indulgent. Here’s an approximate breakdown per serving (based on 12 servings):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 250mg
Carbohydrates: 45g
Sugars: 30g
Protein: 4g

Featured Tweaks

Want to customize your Chocolate Dump Cake? Here are some creative tweaks:

Peanut Butter Swirl: Add dollops of peanut butter before baking.
Salted Caramel Bliss: Drizzle caramel sauce and sprinkle sea salt over the top before serving.
Berry Chocolate Delight: Add a layer of raspberries or sliced strawberries before baking for a fruity contrast.
Mocha Flavor Boost: Mix 1 teaspoon of instant coffee into the pudding for a subtle mocha taste.

Now that you have the perfect Chocolate Dump Cake recipe, it’s time to grab your ingredients and start baking! With its gooey texture, chocolatey goodness, and effortless preparation, this cake is bound to become a favorite in your household. Let us know how yours turns out in the comments below!