Easy Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

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Indulge in the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream with this easy and irresistibly gooey Chocolate Dump Cake recipe! Ready in a snap, it’s the ideal treat for busy bees craving a homemade sweet fix. Plus, it’s a foolproof hit for any gathering, guaranteeing you the title of dessert champion. Dive into this simple yet luxurious treat that makes baking a piece of cake!

Try serving this irresistible cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle, or whipped topping!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Dump Cake

Oh, chocolate dump cake? It’s indulgently rich, with a moist, fudgy base that feels like a cross between a brownie and a soft cake. Each bite is a delightful dance of deep, dark chocolate flavors, playfully mingling with occasional bursts of chocolate chips. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes and savor every mouthful, perfect for chocoholics and anyone who loves a fuss-free, deliciously gooey treat!

Easy-Peasy: No fancy baking skills needed. It’s like the “set it and forget it” of the dessert world.
Quick Fix: Got a chocolate craving? This cake has your back in a jiffy.
Pantry-Friendly: Uses basic ingredients you probably have lounging in your pantry.
Versatile Vibe: Jazz it up with nuts, caramel, or fruit – it’s your canvas!
Comfort in a Cake: It’s like a warm chocolate hug. Perfect for those Netflix and chill nights.
Crowd-Pleaser: From kiddos to grandparents, who doesn’t love a good chocolate moment?
Less Mess, No Stress: Minimal cleanup. More time to savor!

top down image showing a wooden counter with a box of betty crocker chocolate fudge cake mix, a bag of tollhouse semi sweet chocolate chips, a box of chocolate jellp
a measuring cup of milk, and a stick of butter

Ingredients You’ll Need:

This easy dump cake recipe calls for simple ingredients and leaves you with a rich chocolate dessert that is difficult to resist! Here is a quick breakdown of the ingredients.

Chocolate Cake Mix: When it comes to choosing the best cake mix for a chocolate dump cake, it’s like picking a favorite chocolate bar – there’s one for every taste! But here are a few top contenders that would make your dump cake a hit: Devil’s food cake, classic chocolate, or chocolate fudge are a few of my go-to’s.
Pudding Mix: DRY instant chocolate pudding mix. It amps up the chocolatey goodness, making each forkful rich and full of deep chocolate flavor. Think of it as turning the volume up on your favorite song.
Butter: Butter adds a rich, creamy taste that complements the chocolate and helps achieve that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Milk: Milk keeps the cake moist and tender while also working as a binder to hold everything together. We tested with whole milk, 2% and skim with success. Although, the whole milk and 2% had a richer finish.
Chocolate Chips: Optional, but semi-sweet chocolate chips are a welcome addition to this easy dessert and make it every chocolate lovers dream.

Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

The ease of instructions really is the best part of this decadent dessert. Dump, bake, and enjoy!

Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with some butter or non-stick baking spray.
Layer the Cake Mix: Pour the dry cake mix evenly into the greased pan. This is your base layer, so make sure it’s nice and even.
Mix the Pudding: Sprinkle the dry pudding mix directly over the dry cake mix.
Stir the Butter and Milk: Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the dry ingredients. Add the milk and give it a good stir right in the baking pan. Once the cake starts to look more like a batter you can spread it into an even layer.
Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle a generous amount of chocolate chips over the top of the cake. This is your moment to shine – the more, the merrier!
Bake it Up: Slide your creation into the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. You’re looking for a gorgeous, bubbly cake with a slightly crispy top.
Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool for a bit (if you can resist). Serve warm for a melt-in-your-mouth experience or at room temperature for a handheld treat. Store covered with plastic wrap at room temperature. No need to chill.

close up top down image showing a chocolate cake topped wtih chocolate chips inside a 9x13 pan with a slice being pulled out by a black spatula

How to Make Dump Cake in a Slow Cooker

Grease the Slow Cooker: Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray or a bit of butter. This keeps the cake from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Layer the Cake Mix: Follow the instructions in the recipe card below for layering and mixing the cake mix, pudding mix, butter, and milk.
Chocolate Chip Fiesta: Now, sprinkle those chocolate chips generously over the top. This is like the cherry on top, but better because it’s chocolate.
Cooking Time: Cover and cook on high for about 2-3 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are slightly bubbly and the center is set.
Cool Off: Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the cake sit uncovered for about 30 minutes. This helps it set and makes it easier to serve.
Serve and Enjoy: Scoop out generous portions of your gooey, warm chocolate dump cake. It’s perfect as is, or you can up the ante with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

close up image of a small white round plate with a lifted lip with a square piece of chocolate cake sprinkled with chocolate chips sitting on top.

Helpful Tools

9×13 Baking Pan: (affiliate) The stage where the chocolatey magic happens.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: (affiliate) Precision is key, even in dump cakes!
Rubber Spatula: (affiliate) For those get-every-last-drop moments.
Mixing Bowl: (affiliate) If you decide to mix the wet ingredients first (not mandatory, but some folks like to).

Recipe Notes:

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Go nuts! (Pun intended). Walnuts, pecans, or even toffee bits can add a fun crunch. Want a more Reese’s vibe? Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for peanut butter chips! You can even drizzle with caramel sauce for a decedent dessert that is oh-so delicious.

Is it served warm or cold?

Warm is the way to go! It’s like a chocolate lava cake meeting a brownie. But hey, cold leftovers (if any) are also a treat. This delicious chocolate dump cake recipe won’t last long either way you decide to serve it!

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Keep it in an airtight container. It’ll stay delicious on your counter for a couple of days, but you can also refrigerate it for a bit longer shelf life.

Can I make it in a slow cooker?

Yes! It turns out super moist and gooey. Perfect for setting and forgetting until dessert time. See notes above for more details.

Any tips for making it extra chocolaty?

Double the chocolate chips or drizzle some hot fudge sauce on top post-baking. It’s a chocoholic’s dream!

close up image of a small white round plate with a lifted lip with a square piece of chocolate cake sprinkled with chocolate chips sitting on top. A bite of the cake is sitting on the fork.

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