Death by Chocolate Dump Cake is an easy 5-ingredient chocolate dessert made with boxed chocolate cake mix and instant pudding. This chocolate dump cake with cake mix bakes up rich, moist, and ultra-fudgy. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime a serious chocolate craving hits.
When I wanted something quick, easy, and loaded with chocolate, this death by chocolate dump cake was the answer. After mixing a few simple ingredients together, it baked into a rich, fudgy chocolate dump cake my whole family loved. We like serving it warm with a scoop of ice cream, and since it bakes in a full 9×13 pan, it's perfect for sharing at gatherings. If you love chocolate desserts, you'll also enjoy my Oreo Dirt Cake recipe.
Quick Look: Death By Chocolate Dump Cake
- Made with boxed chocolate cake mix and instant pudding
- Only 5 simple ingredients
- Rich, moist, and loaded with chocolate chips
- Baked in a 9×13 pan
- An easy chocolate dessert perfect for potlucks or gatherings
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I'm not one for leaving comments, but this was amazing. I am not one for overly sweet cakes or cakes with frosting. This is what I have been looking for. Perfect balance of sweet and no frosting needed. Thank you.
Ingredient Notes
This easy chocolate dessert uses simple pantry staples to create a rich, moist cake, no frosting needed. See the printable recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions.
- Chocolate Cake Mix– Forms the base of the cake and gives it rich chocolate flavor.
- Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix– Adds moisture and helps create that soft, fudgy texture.
- Milk– Combines with the cake mix and pudding to create a smooth batter.
- Cocoa Powder– Deepens the chocolate flavor for an extra rich taste.
- Chocolate Chips– Melt into the top for pockets of chocolate in every bite.
How To Make Death By Chocolate Dump Cake
Step 1. Grease a 9×13 baking pan. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, instant pudding mix, and cocoa powder until combined.
Step 2. Add the milk and stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.
Step 4. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, or until the center is set.
Storage
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore a warm, gooey texture.
- Freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and thaw before serving.
Death by Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe FAQs
No. The instant chocolate pudding mix is added dry along with the chocolate cake mix, so there's no need to prepare it separately.
Yes. Devil's Food, chocolate fudge, or classic chocolate cake mix all work well. Use your favorite brand, they'll all bake up rich and moist.
A slightly soft center is normal. If it seems underbaked, give it a few more minutes in the oven. Bake until the center is set but still moist, as oven times can vary.
Absolutely. It can be made a day in advance and stored covered until ready to serve. Reheat individual slices slightly for that warm, fudgy texture.
Yes! Try peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or crushed cookies for an easy way to customize it.
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Death by Chocolate Dump Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix 15.25 oz
- 1 box Instant Chocolate Pudding 3.9 oz
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, instant pudding mix, and cocoa powder.
- Add the milk and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the center is set.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Do not prepare the pudding before adding it, it is added dry.
- A slightly soft center is normal; it will continue to set as it cools.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 4 days.
- This cake freezes well for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Jennifer L. Martino says
made this and it was delicious!! super easy and tasty. I added in coconut flakes and chocolate chips in the batter, in addition to chocolate chips on top. The amount of milk was a little too much, I used 1.75ish cups .
Want to make it again and try different things, maybe nuts instead of coconut.
thank you!
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed and LOVE the idea of coconut!! I will need to try that too!
Carol says
Since cake mix sizes are no longer standard, what size (ounces) works best for this recipe?
Kristin says
I use the 15.25 ounce boxes, however, I do know that a few others have used the 13.25 oz with success! Enjoy!
Hilda Sinke says
My husband went crazy over this cake! He ate a whole row in one sitting and asked if we had any vanilla ice cream! I love that it doesn’t take so many eggs since they are so expensive now!
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad it was enjoyed! It’s one of my favorite desserts!
Eileen says
This cake is out of this world. Thank you for sharing. You posted a brownie recipe using powdered milk. What was the brand of milk you recommended?
Thank you , Eileen
Kristin says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed! As for powdered milk, I typically purchase store brand, in my case, Kroger! Any brand works! Enjoy!
Patty says
I’m 74 years old and my Mother used to make this for us kids, evidently her set were more sophisticated. I digress, one Saturday night a friend of hers arrived early and came into the kitchen and this cake was on the table half eaten and she took a bite . She raved about the cake and asked that it be served after dinner with vanilla ice cream.
I haven’t seen this recipe in that many years. Thank you for the memories and a great cake recipe.
Kristin says
Awww, my pleasure! Love a good classic recipe! Merry Christmas!
E Lucia says
I’m not one for leaving comments, but this was amazing. I am not one for overly sweet cakes or cakes with frosting. This is what I have been looking for. Perfect balance of sweet and no frosting needed. Thank you.
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing this! Definitely one of my favorite cakes too!!
Sherrill Cross says
I am 76 and have been baking for many years and am planning on trying this tomorrow. I went through all of the comments to make sure I read all right.
Kristin says
Yay!! Hope you enjoy! Keep me posted what you think!
Ellen says
Can this be made with almond milk,and would you use the same amount?
Kristin says
That should work great and yes, same amount! Keep me posted what you think! Enjoy!
Renee says
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!
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing this! I love adding peanut butter chips for a chocolate peanut butter flavor throughout!
Cyndy Lanham says
am I reading this right? no eggs or oil in the cake mix?
just making certain, I hate wasting ingredients! enjoy your day.
Kristin says
Yep, that is correct!! It only uses the cake mix! Hope you enjoy, its a favorite in my house!
Stephanie says
I tried lemon cake mix and lemon pudding (obviously left out the cocoa) and used white chocolate chips. I thought about a spice cake mix with cheesecake pudding and use caramel bits but I haven’t tried that one yet.
Kristin Hayes says
Ohhhh yum! Sounds delicious too!!
Hallie says
What can I tip it with? Drizzle a topping? Make a frosting? Any ideas??
Kristin says
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!
Carol says
I made this and love it. My husband thought it was similar to a brownie. It was that moist. Definitely a “keeper” recipe, soooo easy.
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing this!!!
Eunice Edwards says
The recipe is listed as chocolate peanut butter dump cake, but no peanut butter is listed. Was this a mistake in the title?
Kristin says
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/
Vicki says
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.
Kristin says
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!
Pam Jones says
I am diabetic but this recipe sounded so good. First I used a zero sugar cake mix. I used a sugar free pudding. I used unsweet almond milk and lower sugar chocolate chips. Baked as you stated. It came out so good! Now to stop from eating it all !
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing that and love the changes you made to make it diabetic friendly. Thanks for sharing and enjoy!
Susan says
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!
Kristin says
Aww thanks for the kind words and great tips!!
Sandra says
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 !
Kristin says
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!
Joyce says
Could this be made with a gluten free cake mix?
Kristin says
Absolutely! That should work great!
Anne says
Hi there. Just to be clear we do not add any of the ingredients to the cake mix that you generally would if making a cake from the mix right?
Thanks so much!
Kristin says
Hi!! Yes, that is correct, you will just be using the dry mix and other ingredients listed in recipe, not the ones on the box! Enjoy!