The Chocolate Dump Cake My Family Can’t Stop Eating

It comes together in the time it takes for the oven to preheat.

By
Kayla Hoang
Kayla Hoang
Kayla Hoang
Kayla Hoang is a recipe developer, writer, and baker. Her journey in food media began with interning at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and continued through Food Network, Kitchn, and other projects.
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Published February 12, 2025
Kayla Hoang
Overhead view of a baking dish of baked batter for Chocolate Dump Cake recipe on a tan countertop

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

One of my favorite rituals at the end of a busy week is making a little sweet treat on Friday night for my family to snack on throughout the weekend. However, sometimes (read: most times) I just don’t have the energy to make anything too involved. This chocolate dump cake, with its short list of ingredients that come together in the time it takes for the oven to preheat, is perfect for these moments.

Leaning on the convenience of boxed cake mix and instant pudding mix, this chocolate cake is a warm, fudgy delight. As someone who does a lot of recipe development, after several passes of a recipe, my trusty taste testers (my family) often can’t bear tasting another bite by the time I reach the final iteration of a recipe. This chocolate dump cake is on the short list of recipes that they haven’t been able to quit.

Whether eaten warm with ice cream or with a spoon hunched over the baking dish, this quick-to-assemble cake is hard to resist and deeply satisfying for chocolate lovers of all kinds.

Easy Variations

  • For a peanutty version, swap half of the unsalted butter for creamy peanut butter and the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips, chopped peanut butter cups, roasted peanuts, or a combination.
  • Stud the cake with halved, pitted cherries or whole raspberries. 
  • Swap the semisweet chocolate chips for dark or bittersweet if you like something less sweet or white or milk chocolate chips for something sweeter. 
Closeup view of a corner of a baking dish of baked batter with a slice removed for Chocolate Dump Cake recipe on a tan countertop

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Easy Chocolate Desserts

Chocolate Dump Cake

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 60 mins
Servings 12 servings
Yield 1 (9x13-inch) cake

You can quickly warm the milk to room temperature by heating it in the microwave in 30-second intervals.

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Ingredients

  • 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the baking dish

  • 2 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature

  • 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder, optional

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box chocolate cake mix

  • 1 (3.9-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix

  • 1 3/4 cups (10.5 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided

  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving, optional

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.

  2. Make the cake batter:

    Combine the melted butter, milk, espresso powder (if using), and salt in the greased baking dish. Use a rubber spatula to stir until the espresso is dissolved.

    Evenly sprinkle the cake mix, pudding mix, and 1 1/4 cups of the chocolate chips over the milk mixture. Stir until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few dry spots and if the batter isn’t completely smooth.

    Gently smooth the cake batter into an even layer. Top with the remaining chocolate chips.

    Overhead view of a baking dish after smoothing the cake and pudding mixes and chocolate chips for Chocolate Dump Cake recipe on a tan countertop

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    Overhead view of a baking dish after adding the last layer of chocolate chips for Chocolate Dump Cake recipe on a tan countertop

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
  3. Bake:

    Bake the cake on the middle rack until just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes.

    Allow the cake to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

    Leftover cake can be stored in the baking dish tightly wrapped with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Overhead view of a baking dish of baked batter for Chocolate Dump Cake recipe on a tan countertop

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
365 Calories
20g Fat
49g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 365
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 25%
Saturated Fat 11g 54%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 379mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 30g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 120mg 9%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 290mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.