For days when nothing but rich, fudgy chocolate will do, this easy dump cake recipe can be assembled in just 5 minutes. Our Test Kitchen found the perfect balance of sweet chocolate flavor in this dump cake recipe by using semisweet chocolate chips and espresso powder as a flavor enhancer. Add in chocolate pudding mix and devil's food cake mix, and this quick and easy dessert is every bit as delicious as a more time-consuming one. Check your pantry or pick up a few ingredients at the store, and try making your own tonight.
Chocolate Dump Cake Ingredients
You'll need just a handful of ingredients to whip up this chocolate dump cake:
- Cake mix: For the richest chocolate flavor, choose Devil's Food cake mix. Extra cocoa powder and baking soda in the mix helps develop a deep chocolatey flavor. Though in a pinch, you can absolutely substitute a chocolate cake mix.
- Pudding mix: Be sure to use instant chocolate pudding mix to achieve the proper texture.
- Milk: Needed moisture to create a fudgy chocolate filling.
- Butter: Our Test Kitchen recommends using salted butter in this recipe to help balance the sweet, rich flavors of the dessert.
- Espresso powder: This ingredient is optional but it makes the chocolate flavor of the cake even more pronounced. Don't worry—you won't taste coffee in the final bake.
- Chocolate chips: We used semisweet chocolate chips when developing this chocolate dump cake recipe. Our tasters found it was the ideal balance of bitterness and sweetness. If you prefer, you could use milk, bittersweet, or dark chocolate chips instead.
- Sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream: Optional, for serving.
How to Serve Chocolate Dump Cake
This fudgy chocolate cake is best served warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. While you can let it cool to room temperature, it will be less fudge-like. The same goes for chilling—We don't recommend serving this dump cake cold as the texture can change.
Looking for other ways to jazz it up? Serve with a side of whipped cream, fresh berries, or with a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
Ingredients
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Nonstick cooking spray
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1 pkg. (2-layer-size) devil's food cake mix
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1 (5.1-oz.) pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
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2 1/2 cups whole milk
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1/2 cup salted butter, melted
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1 Tbsp. instant espresso coffee powder (optional)
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1 (12-oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate chips
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Sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Evenly sprinkle cake mix in the prepared dish and evenly sprinkle the pudding mix over the top.
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In a medium bowl combine the milk, melted butter, and espresso powder (if using). Pour milk mixture over the cake mix mixture.
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Use a whisk to just begin to combine the ingredients. (There will still be areas of dry mix. This is ok.)
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Evenly top with chocolate chips. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until set. Serve topped with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.
How to Store Leftover Chocolate Dump Cake
Store the cooled chocolate dump cake in a covered dish in the refrigerator, or sliced in an airtight container for up to one week. Do not store this dump cake on the counter as it will spoil faster. You can also freeze leftovers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then heat in the microwave or a preheated 350°F oven until warmed throughout before serving. Taking a few minutes to reheat the cake is well worth it to revive that fudgy texture.
Fudgy Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe Variations
To change up this fudgy chocolate dump cake, consider these additions and substitutions:
- Cake mix: Devil's food cake mix will create the most chocolatey, fudgy result, but you can swap with any preferred mix (or one you have on hand).
- Extracts: Add vanilla, orange, almond, peppermint, or other favorite extracts for additional depth.
- Spice: For a hint of warmth, add a pinch of ground cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger.
- Booze: Add a splash of Grand Marnier, rum, or bourbon for a boozy kick.
- Fruit: Dot the batter with fresh or frozen cherries, raspberries, or strawberries for a fruity twist.
- Mix-ins: Sprinkle in chopped nuts, shredded coconut, chopped candy bars, pretzels, or crumbled cookies for an even more decadent result.
- Toppings: Finish the baked cake with a drizzle of caramel, melted dark chocolate, chocolate ganache, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for extra flair.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 251 | Calories |
| 18g | Fat |
| 25g | Carbs |
| 3g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 12 | |
| Calories 251 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 17.6g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat 10.7g | 54% |
| Cholesterol 25.1mg | 8% |
| Sodium 139.6mg | 6% |
| Total Carbohydrate 24.7g | 9% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.8g | 6% |
| Total Sugars 19g | |
| Protein 3.4g | 7% |
| Vitamin D 0.7mcg | 4% |
| Vitamin C 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium 87.8mg | 7% |
| Iron 1mg | 6% |
| Potassium 204.8mg | 4% |
| Fatty acids, total trans 0.4g | |
| Vitamin D 28.8IU | |
| Alanine 0.1g | |
| Arginine 0.1g | |
| Ash 1.1g | |
| Aspartic acid 0.3g | |
| Caffeine 17.8mg | |
| Carotene, alpha 0mcg | |
| Choline, total 16.4mg | |
| Copper, Cu 0.2mg | |
| Cystine 0g | |
| Energy 1050.7kJ | |
| Fluoride, F 2mcg | |
| Folate, total 8.4mcg | |
| Glutamic acid 0.7g | |
| Glycine 0.1g | |
| Histidine 0.1g | |
| Isoleucine 0.2g | |
| Leucine 0.3g | |
| Lysine 0.2g | |
| Methionine 0.1g | |
| Magnesium, Mg 41.6mg | |
| Manganese, Mn 0.2mg | |
| Niacin 0.2mg | |
| Phosphorus, P 121.4mg | |
| Pantothenic acid 0.3mg | |
| Phenylalanine 0.2g | |
| Proline 0.3g | |
| Retinol 96.9mcg | |
| Selenium, Se 2.9mcg | |
| Serine 0.2g | |
| Theobromine 147.3mg | |
| Threonine 0.1g | |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.3mg | |
| Tryptophan 0g | |
| Tyrosine 0.2g | |
| Valine 0.2g | |
| Vitamin A, IU 353.1IU | |
| Vitamin A, RAE 98.1mcg | |
| Vitamin B-12 0.3mcg | |
| Vitamin B-6 0mg | |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 2.4mcg | |
| Water 56g | |
| Zinc, Zn 0.8mg | |
*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.