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
Suman says
Are you supposed to make the pudding and add it or add the instant mix -I may have ruined the cake already 🙁
Kristin says
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!!
Suman says
No eggs needed? Do we just mix the cake mix and not the additional ingredients that are usually used?
Kristin says
Nope, no eggs needed, just the ingredients listed in this recipe…..not the ones listed on any of the packaging 🙂
Enjoy!!
Karen Baker says
Can you use 2% milk?
Kristin says
Yep!! No problem at all!!
Ashley says
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?
Kristin says
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!!
Denise Gros says
being a peanut butter liver, I used peanut butter chips instead of chocolate. Made myself sick eating it!!
Kristin says
Ooooo great thinking on adding the peanut butter chips! Hope you are feeling better 😉
Dana says
I have cook and serve pudding, can I put it in hot/warm?
Kristin says
Let it cool a bit as I think it may affect the outcome of the cake if it goes in warm/hot 🙂
Nia says
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!!
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed this!! Great idea on melting fudge icing, YUM!!
Kelley garrett says
yummy
Kristin says
For sure!! 🙂
Carol says
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.
Kristin says
Ooooooo, I will have to try that! Sounds amazing!!! Thanks!
Brandi Sustaire says
In the oven now. i didn’t have chocolate pudding so i used vanilla. Can’t wait to try it!
Kristin says
Ooooo yum!! Keep me posted how it turns out!! Enjoy!
Jean Felix says
Anxious to try.
Kristin says
Keep me posted on how it turns out once you try it!! 🙂
Anonymous says
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.
Kristin says
That sounds delicious!!
Patty says
Do you dont add eggs or oil or water like it calls for in the cake directions?
Kristin says
Nope, just the milk. I was a little confused at first when I tried it, but I guarantee it will be a hit!! 🙂
Shariann Penman says
I wonder what adding a can of cherry pie filling would do to the combination????? I love chocolate – cherry ANYTHING!!!!
Kristin says
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!!
Linda Connolly says
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!
Kristin says
Oooooo you will LOVE this!! Enjoy and keep me posted!!