There’s nothing quite like the rich, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of a chocolate dessert—especially when it requires minimal effort! That’s exactly why I’m obsessed with this Chocolate Dump Cake. It’s the kind of dessert that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but in reality, it’s a simple “dump, mix, and bake” situation. No electric mixers, no complicated steps—just pure chocolate heaven.

If you’ve never made a dump cake before, let me tell you—this is about to change your dessert game. Unlike traditional cakes that require precise mixing, folding, and measuring, dump cakes are wonderfully forgiving. You literally “dump” the ingredients into a baking dish, layer them up, and let the oven work its magic. What you get is a perfectly imperfect dessert that’s part cake, part pudding, and all parts delicious.

This particular version takes things up a notch with layers of chocolate flavor: a rich cake mix base, creamy chocolate pudding, an extra boost of cocoa powder, and a generous handful of chocolate chips. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent? You can throw in some nuts, mini marshmallows, or even espresso powder for that deep, mocha-like intensity.

So whether you need a last-minute dessert for a party, a comforting treat after a long day, or just an excuse to satisfy your chocolate cravings (no judgment here!), this Chocolate Dump Cake is about to become your new best friend. Let’s get baking!

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Before we get to the fun part, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want that oven nice and hot so your cake bakes evenly.

Next, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and grease it well with butter or nonstick spray. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this step—this cake is super gooey, and a little extra butter helps with easy serving later.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Pudding

Now for the creamy magic that sets this cake apart! In a mixing bowl, whisk together:

1 small box of instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 oz)
2 cups of milk (whole milk preferred for creaminess)

Whisk until smooth and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This gives the pudding a chance to thicken slightly, which helps create that luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture in the final cake.

Fun tip: If you love extra gooey desserts, you can even add an extra ½ cup of milk to make the pudding layer even richer.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Now comes the easiest part—assembling the cake! Unlike traditional baking, where you carefully combine ingredients, this is a simple layering process:

Dump the Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle one box of chocolate cake mix across the bottom of your greased baking dish. No mixing required!
Pour the Pudding: Spread the prepared chocolate pudding right over the cake mix. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfectly smooth—it all bakes together in the end.
Sprinkle Cocoa Powder: Lightly dust 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder on top to deepen that chocolate flavor.
Add Chocolate Chips: Scatter 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips over the top. Use semi-sweet, milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips—whatever your heart desires!

Want to take it up a notch? This is the perfect time to add any extra mix-ins:

Chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) for a little crunch
Mini marshmallows for pockets of gooey sweetness
Espresso powder for an intense, rich chocolate depth

Step 4: Bake to Gooey Perfection

Once your baking dish is loaded up with all those chocolatey layers, pop it into your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and let it bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Here’s what to look for:

The edges should be set and slightly crispy.
The center will still be soft and gooey—that’s exactly what you want!
The chocolate chips on top will be melty and irresistible.

Pro Tip: If you love an extra molten, lava-like center, try baking it 5 minutes less. The middle will stay extra soft and fudgy, giving you that spoonable, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

And don’t panic if the cake doesn’t look traditionally “done.” Unlike a regular cake that firms up all the way through, dump cakes are meant to be slightly gooey in the center—think of it as a cross between cake and pudding.

Step 5: Cool & Serve

Once your Chocolate Dump Cake is out of the oven, patience is key (I know, I know—it smells amazing, and you just want to dig in).

Let it cool for about 10–15 minutes before serving. This gives the pudding and melted chocolate time to settle, making each bite even richer and more delicious.

Now, let’s talk about the best ways to serve this masterpiece:

With a scoop of vanilla ice cream – The cold ice cream melts into the warm cake, creating the ultimate hot-and-cold dessert experience.
Drizzle with chocolate sauce – Because more chocolate is always a good idea!
Top with fresh berries – Strawberries, raspberries, or even sliced bananas balance out the richness.
Whipped cream & a sprinkle of cocoa powder – Simple, classic, and oh-so-good.

If you’re serving this at a party or family gathering, consider setting up a DIY topping bar with different ice creams, sauces, and toppings—because customizing dessert is half the fun!

this recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to mix the cake batter before baking?

Nope! The beauty of a dump cake is that you don’t have to mix the ingredients. Just layer the cake mix, pudding, and toppings, then let the oven do all the work.

2. Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! While chocolate cake mix creates the ultimate chocolate overload, you can switch it up with devil’s food, fudge, or even vanilla cake mix for a different twist.

3. How do I store leftovers?

If you somehow have leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, warm up a slice in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds to get it nice and gooey again.

4. Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes! To make this in a slow cooker, layer everything in the crockpot and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours. It’s a great option when you want to keep dessert warm for a party or gathering.

5. What’s the best way to make this cake even richer?

If you want to amp up the decadence, try these easy add-ins:

Replace the milk with heavy cream for an ultra-creamy pudding layer.
Add an extra handful of chocolate chips for even more melty goodness.
Drizzle warm caramel or chocolate sauce over the top before serving.

6. Can I make this ahead of time?

This cake is best served warm and fresh out of the oven, but if you need to make it ahead, you can prep the layers and refrigerate the unbaked cake for a few hours. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love This Cake

And there you have it—the easiest, most decadent chocolate cake ever! Whether you’re making this for a birthday, a potluck, a family movie night, or just a random Tuesday (because, why not?), this Chocolate Dump Cake never disappoints.

Minimal effort, maximum flavor – No mixing, no fuss, just layer and bake!
Perfectly gooey & chocolatey – Like a mix between cake, pudding, and brownie.
Totally customizable – Add nuts, marshmallows, caramel, or whatever you love.

Now, it’s your turn! Try this recipe and let me know how it turns out. Did you add any fun mix-ins? Serve it with ice cream? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how you made this Chocolate Dump Cake your own!

Happy baking!

CHOCOLATE DUMP CAKE

Author: Lucas Recipes
Total Time: 50 mins

Print Recipe

Description

This Chocolate Dump Cake is the ultimate easy dessert for chocolate lovers! With layers of rich pudding, moist cake, and melty chocolate chips, every bite is pure indulgence. No mixing bowls needed—just dump, bake, and enjoy!

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients:

1 box chocolate cake mix (any brand)
1 small box instant chocolate pudding (3.9 oz)
2 cups milk (whole milk preferred for creaminess)
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (enhances deep chocolate flavor)
1 ½ cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, dark, or white)

Optional Add-Ins for Extra Decadence:

½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans for crunch)
½ cup mini marshmallows (for gooey pockets of sweetness)
¼ cup espresso powder (to intensify the chocolate flavor)

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prepare the Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

2️⃣ Mix the Pudding Layer

In a mixing bowl, whisk together instant chocolate pudding mix and milk until smooth.

Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

3️⃣ Assemble the Dump Cake

Dump the Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the chocolate cake mix across the bottom of the greased dish.

Pour the Pudding: Spread the prepared chocolate pudding over the cake mix.

Sprinkle Cocoa Powder: Lightly dust cocoa powder over the top.

Add Chocolate Chips: Scatter chocolate chips generously on top.

(Optional: Add nuts, marshmallows, or espresso powder here for extra texture and flavor!)

4️⃣ Bake to Gooey Perfection

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still slightly gooey.

Pro Tip: For an extra molten center, bake 5 minutes less!

5️⃣ Cool & Serve

Let the cake cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.

Serve warm for the ultimate melty chocolate explosion!

Notes

Boosting the Chocolate Flavor: A small pinch of salt and espresso powder (even if you’re not a coffee drinker!) make the chocolate taste deeper and richer without making it taste like coffee.
Serving Warm vs. Cold: This cake is best served warm, but if you let it cool completely, it firms up into a fudgy brownie-like texture—still delicious!
Leftovers? No Problem! Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins

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