Death by Chocolate Dump Cake

Published: Jun 24, 2015 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. · 74 Comments

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Death by Chocolate Dump Cake is a decadent dessert that combines rich chocolate flavor with the ease and convenience of a “dump” cake recipe. Using only 5 ingredients, this cake is quick to prepare and a sweet tooth favorite for the serious chocolate lover!

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This past week, I was in the mood for something quick, easy, andfull of chocolate yumminess!

After dumping a few ingredients together, this cake was created and AMAZING!

Incredibly moist, full of chocolate, and simple to make; this dump cake is a winner!

Each of my kids had a small piece after dinner and went crazy over it. Yes, kids are bound to go crazy over just about any dessert, but they ALL really enjoyed this!

My hubby and I add a small scoop of ice-cream to ours and thoroughly enjoyed this sweet treat!

This recipe makes a full 9×13 baking pan, so its plenty big to bring to any gathering as well!

Ingredients Needed for this Death by Chocolate Dump Cake:

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 small box chocolate pudding (instant)
2 cups milk
1 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (any type desired works great)

How to prepare:

Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, chocolate pudding, and cocoa powder.
Add in the milk and stir until just combined.
Pour batter into the greased baking pan.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cake evenly.
Place pan in a preheated oven, 350, and bake for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.

Love chocolate? Check out these other great recipes:

Death by Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake

Chocolate Overload Trifle

Incredible Chocolate Cookies

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox.Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Print Recipe

3.93 from 180 votes

Death by Chocolate Dump Cake is a sweet tooth for the serious chocolate lover! Using only 5 ingredients, this is quick to prepare!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Keyword: chocolate cake, dump cake

Servings: 12

Calories: 305kcal

Author: The Cookin' Chicks

Equipment

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 box Instant Chocolate Pudding *small box
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, chocolate pudding, and cocoa powder.
Add in the milk and stir until just combined.
Pour batter into the greased baking pan.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cake evenly.
Place pan in a preheated oven, 350, and bake for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Remove from oven and enjoy!!

Notes

Recipe from:Maria’s Mixing Bowl

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Renee
April 7, 2024 at 10:54 am

I was so skeptical about this recipe but it was so moist and yummy! I absolutely loved it. I baked mine for 25 minutes and it was perfect!! I didn’t change the recipe at all. I’m anxious to try different flavor combinations. This is a keeper!
Reply
- Kristin
  April 7, 2024 at 11:23 am
  Yay!! Love hearing this! I love adding peanut butter chips for a chocolate peanut butter flavor throughout!
  Reply
Hallie
October 31, 2023 at 6:59 am
What can I tip it with? Drizzle a topping? Make a frosting? Any ideas??
Reply
- Kristin
  October 31, 2023 at 12:05 pm
  My daughter has made this and used chocolate frosting on top. Another tasty idea is to simply pour chocolate chips on top when it comes out of the oven. They will melt and can be spread into a coating that hardens a bit and adds a great chocolate addition. Enjoy!
  Reply
Eunice Edwards
April 3, 2022 at 11:43 am
The recipe is listed as chocolate peanut butter dump cake, but no peanut butter is listed. Was this a mistake in the title?
Reply
- Kristin
  April 4, 2022 at 8:38 am
  This one is a chocolate dump cake! You may have seen the link for my peanut butter version as well, which is this one, https://thecookinchicks.com/death-by-chocolate-peanut-butter-dump-cake/
  Reply
Vicki
September 6, 2021 at 4:59 pm
I accidently picked-up brownie mix. Can this be made by making cake like brownies & poking holes in it? I would follow the directions for the rest of the recipe.
Reply
- Kristin
  September 7, 2021 at 8:52 am
  Hmmm, good question! I haven’t personally tried it, but if I were to do that, I would use just the brownie mix and continue instructions as though it were cake mix. Brownies can be a bit more dense, so I am not 100% positive it would be the same, but should be close! Keep me posted!
  Reply
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  Snowball OREO Cookie Balls Chocolate Chip Mug Cake (A Tasty Single Serving Dessert!)5-Ingredient Healthier Peanut Butter Cups Pancake Muffins (6 Flavors)
Susan
May 3, 2021 at 5:47 pm

I have made many dump cakes. If your cake mix already has pudding in the mix it is fine to add the powdered pudding mix. If you want to add a can of pie filling, either spread it on the bottom of your cake pan or mix it in with the other ingredients. If the batter seems too thick add a little more milk, 1/4 C at a time. This recipe seems fine, it does not need tweaking. Sometimes a recipe needs a little help, but this one is perfect!
Reply
- Kristin
  May 4, 2021 at 8:10 am
  Aww thanks for the kind words and great tips!!
  Reply
Sandra
April 14, 2021 at 3:04 pm

This was the worst recipe I have ever tried ! I have been baking for over 60 years and decided to give this a try. YUCK, terrible, could not even get it out of the glass pan (sprayed with Pam) Threw this in the trash !
Reply
- Kristin
  April 15, 2021 at 11:16 am
  Yikes! Sorry to hear that! I’m not sure why that would’ve happened as I just made this the other week again and it was a hit! So sorry it wasn’t a favorite!
  Reply
Joyce
April 14, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Could this be made with a gluten free cake mix?
Reply
- Kristin
  April 15, 2021 at 10:38 am
  Absolutely! That should work great!
  Reply
Verna M Buchanan
September 12, 2020 at 3:42 am

Delicious as written, or sub any flavor chips for the chocolate: white, cinnamon, mint, peanut buter, etc…. Also great with a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled on the top with the chips.
This isn’t, strictly speaking, a dump cake. By definition a dump cake has the ingredients dumped in the pan and then baked. For example, dump 1 can fruit filling (blueberry!) in a 9″x13″ pan. Dump 1 dry cake mix (white for me) over the top, spread out evenly. Pour 1 cup butter, melted, evenly over the top. Bake at 350°F till browned. Yum!
Reply
- Kristin
  September 12, 2020 at 9:09 am
  Very true and I do have a few “true” dump cakes! I just left the name as is because it was a recipe passed down to me! Glad you enjoyed!!
  Reply
Francesca
January 25, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Can coconut milk be used instead?
Reply
- Kristin
  January 26, 2020 at 11:33 am
  I haven’t tried it personally, but I don’t see why that wouldn’t work great as well!
  Reply
Jana Pannill
September 23, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Does this need to be refrigerated?
Reply
- Kristin
  September 23, 2019 at 8:44 pm
  Nope, no need to refrigerate!
  Reply
Jackie grogan
March 14, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Part of the directions are confusing. Ingredients listed listed say 2 cups milk. Directions say mix all (including the 2 cups milk. Then further down says to add the milk????
Reply
- Kristin
  March 14, 2019 at 4:12 pm
  Wow, that is confusing! Sorry about that! Just corrected it!!
  Reply
robbyn
October 7, 2018 at 12:48 pm
can this be made in a couple of bread pans and frozen?
Reply
- Kristin
  October 7, 2018 at 1:01 pm
  Sure, I don’t see why that wouldn’t turn out great! Keep me posted if you do that and how it turns out!
  Reply
DanaH57
April 9, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Saving this… I think I want to test it using the sugar-free cake mix and sugar-free pudding. Daddy, mom , and sister are all diabetic, if it works, I think they would enjoy!
Reply
- Kristin
  April 9, 2018 at 1:53 pm
  Yum!! Hope you enjoy!!
  Reply
Jean
September 15, 2016 at 10:29 am
Can you use a cake mix that already has pudding I. The mix?
Reply
- Kristin
  September 16, 2016 at 5:58 am
  Hmmmmm, good question. I would lean towards no unfortunately because the amount of pudding in the cake mix is different from the one in small package. Sorry!!
  Reply
nancy
September 9, 2016 at 6:24 pm
not sure what happened but this cake was as dry as sawdust. it didn’t pour out into pan the batter was thick. i did not overcook. very much a waste of money. i thought it had to be too easy… looked nothing like your photo
Reply
- Kristin
  September 13, 2016 at 5:33 am
  Oh no! That is such a bummer to hear! I’m not sure why it turned out that way, but I am sorry it wasn’t a success!
  Reply
  See Also
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Mouse
August 28, 2016 at 7:52 pm
When you do cakes make sure you note their might be adjustments needed for high elevation! Went all over my oven I live at 7000 ft.
Reply
- Kristin
  August 29, 2016 at 12:47 pm
  Oh no! I am sorry about that, I will definitely keep that in mind going forward and add that! Thanks!
  Reply
Laurie
July 17, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Made banana split dump cake.. tasty
Reply
- Kristin
  July 18, 2016 at 6:41 am
  Ooooo yummy! How did you make that? Sounds like something I need to try, hehe
  Reply
Lori
July 16, 2016 at 10:08 am
I need to make a bundt cake. How would the temp and time be modified for that so it cooks right? It sounds so good.
Reply
- Kristin
  July 17, 2016 at 2:43 pm
  Hmmm, good question! The temp would remain the same, as for the baking time, I would guess it would be about the same, but decrease it by about 5 minutes and watch it from there. Hope that helps and hope you enjoy it!!
  Reply
Karen
March 30, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Do you think it would work with rice milk?
Reply
- Kristin
  March 31, 2016 at 6:43 am
  I’ve never used rice milk before, but I don’t see why that wouldn’t work!! Keep me posted and enjoy!!
  Reply
Karla Anderson
February 8, 2016 at 11:15 am
There is a recipe on Pinterest for a Black Forest Chocolate Dump Cake that is amazing. It has chocolate, cherries & whipped cream for the person who wanted to add cherries.
Reply
- Kristin
  February 8, 2016 at 7:11 pm
  That sounds amazing!!! I am trying a chocolate raspberry variation this week, be on the lookout for it!!
  Reply
[emailprotected]
January 28, 2016 at 10:39 am
would this be good served warm
Reply
- Kristin
  January 29, 2016 at 4:45 pm
  Definitely!! With a scoop of vanilla ice-cream!!
  Reply
Donna
January 23, 2016 at 8:25 pm
This would be wonderful with a scoop of French Vanilla ice cream.
Reply
- Kristin
  January 24, 2016 at 2:26 pm
  Oh definitely!!!
  Reply
Suman
January 10, 2016 at 10:00 pm
Are you supposed to make the pudding and add it or add the instant mix -I may have ruined the cake already 🙁
Reply
- Kristin
  January 17, 2016 at 8:30 am
  So sorry I just now saw this comment 🙁
  You just add the pudding mix to the cake, without following package directions. It should be a dry mix when poured into bowl 🙂
  Hope the cake turned out yummy!!
  Reply
Suman
January 5, 2016 at 3:53 pm
No eggs needed? Do we just mix the cake mix and not the additional ingredients that are usually used?
Reply
- Kristin
  January 5, 2016 at 7:35 pm
  Nope, no eggs needed, just the ingredients listed in this recipe…..not the ones listed on any of the packaging 🙂
  Enjoy!!
  Reply
Karen Baker
January 5, 2016 at 9:18 am
Can you use 2% milk?
Reply
- Kristin
  January 5, 2016 at 2:48 pm
  Yep!! No problem at all!!
  Reply
Ashley
December 22, 2015 at 4:37 am
This sounds like a great recipe for Christmas that the kids and adults would enjoy! Do you premix the pudding according to its directions, or do you just have the dry mix to the cake mixture?
Reply
- Kristin
  December 22, 2015 at 7:37 am
  Hi Ashley! This definitely is a great recipe for Christmas!! The pudding mix goes in dry, along with the cake mix. Hope you enjoy it!!
  Reply
Denise Gros
October 24, 2015 at 7:28 am
being a peanut butter liver, I used peanut butter chips instead of chocolate. Made myself sick eating it!!
Reply
- Kristin
  October 24, 2015 at 8:56 am
  Ooooo great thinking on adding the peanut butter chips! Hope you are feeling better 😉
  Reply
Dana
September 7, 2015 at 5:54 pm
I have cook and serve pudding, can I put it in hot/warm?
Reply
- Kristin
  September 8, 2015 at 2:49 pm
  Let it cool a bit as I think it may affect the outcome of the cake if it goes in warm/hot 🙂
  Reply
Nia
September 3, 2015 at 2:09 pm
I made it last night!! It turned out really good! I used chocolate fudge cake mix, and chocolate fudge pudding, After it was done I melted fudge icing in microwave and drizzled over the cake!! The cake is soooo good!!
Reply
- Kristin
  September 3, 2015 at 2:24 pm
  Yea!! So glad you enjoyed this!! Great idea on melting fudge icing, YUM!!
  Reply
Kelley garrett
July 15, 2015 at 2:45 am
yummy
Reply
- Kristin
  July 15, 2015 at 8:04 am
  For sure!! 🙂
  Reply
Carol
July 14, 2015 at 7:22 pm
I make a cake called chocolate covered cherry cake. 1 box choc cake mix, 1 can cherry pie filling, 1/3 cup Crisco oil, 2 eggs. Mix together, bake in 9×13 pan 25-30 min at 350. Cool and frost with a chocolate glaze. Do not beat cake with mixer, just stir with spoon.
Reply
- Kristin
  July 15, 2015 at 8:04 am
  Ooooooo, I will have to try that! Sounds amazing!!! Thanks!
  Reply
Brandi Sustaire
July 13, 2015 at 12:50 pm
In the oven now. i didn’t have chocolate pudding so i used vanilla. Can’t wait to try it!
Reply
- Kristin
  July 13, 2015 at 1:45 pm
  Ooooo yum!! Keep me posted how it turns out!! Enjoy!
  Reply
Jean Felix
June 27, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Anxious to try.
Reply
- Kristin
  June 29, 2015 at 7:50 am
  Keep me posted on how it turns out once you try it!! 🙂
  Reply
Anonymous
June 26, 2015 at 8:16 am
I make a cake like this. I also poke holes in it and pour in chocolate sundae topping then frost with cool whip and walnuts.
Reply
- Kristin
  June 26, 2015 at 8:49 am
  That sounds delicious!!
  Reply
Patty
June 25, 2015 at 6:18 pm
Do you dont add eggs or oil or water like it calls for in the cake directions?
Reply
- Kristin
  June 25, 2015 at 8:53 pm
  Nope, just the milk. I was a little confused at first when I tried it, but I guarantee it will be a hit!! 🙂
  Reply
Shariann Penman
June 25, 2015 at 1:25 pm
I wonder what adding a can of cherry pie filling would do to the combination????? I love chocolate – cherry ANYTHING!!!!
Reply
- Kristin
  June 25, 2015 at 4:07 pm
  Hmmmm, I don’t know but that sounds AMAZING!!!! Good thinking!! Maybe reduce the liquid slightly? Or make it as is, I really am not sure haha!!
  Reply
Linda Connolly
June 25, 2015 at 3:19 am
I’m gonna make this cake! It sounds delicious and a must have for a chocolate lover such as myself! Will let y’all know how it was!
Reply
- Kristin
  June 25, 2015 at 12:15 pm
  Oooooo you will LOVE this!! Enjoy and keep me posted!!
  Reply

Death by Chocolate Dump Cake - The Cookin Chicks (2024)

Incredibly moist, full of chocolate, and simple to make; this dump cake is a winner!

Ingredients Needed for this Death by Chocolate Dump Cake:

How to prepare:

Love chocolate? Check out these other great recipes: