Seriously…I don’t do this…
I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I’m honestly not like this…
I’m a good girl. I go to bed early, drink more water than wine (well, sometimes), I floss every day and always wear my sunscreen. Oh, and once in 10th grade, I totally read my entire United States history textbook just for fun. For fun!
Like I said…I don’t do this.
Well, except for this one time. And you know what? I didn’t regret it. Because somehow, this little chocolate cake made from a BOXED MIX and a PACKAGE OF PUDDING was one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth.
Like I said, I’m a good girl. I don’t lie.
What are you waiting for? I won’t tell if you won’t.
Chocolate Pudding Dump Cake
Ingredients:
1 chocolate boxed cake mix
1 small package chocolate pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups (large handful) chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare the pudding with the milk according to package directions. Add the cake mix (just the dry mix–don’t add anything else) and stir well to combine (batter will be thick).
Smooth batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Scatter chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until edges pull away from sides.
Time:
40 minutes
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{ 176 comments… read them below or add one }
I wish I had that cake for my birthday today!
Happy birthday!
thank you!
Wish you were here so I could give it to you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Bday Veggie Girl!! This cake looks so good, Jenna!
Happy bday!
JENNA!! You have to stop making so many delicious things! I’m so far behind on all the ELR recipes I want to try
This may just need to move to top of the list though…it’s a toss up between these and yesterday’s breakfast bars. Haha.
I just looked at the recipe and thought, “Is this real?!” Four ingredients make a cake that looks that fudgy? No butter? No oil? I just added this to my “have to try” list. Thanks, lady!
I’m sure that the cake mix calls for oil and eggs.
You don’t use the ingredients the box of cake mix calls for, though. Just the ingredients she’s listed.
Dump cakes seem to be the rage where my parents live in the South. Your version is by far the most delicious one I’ve seen!
Yum! Just wondering, Jenna, do you think you could use FF SF Chocolate Pudding? I mean, we’re using chocolate pudding from a box anyways, right?
Love this! I used Sugar free chocolate pudding. It turned out great! Just open the pudding, mix with the milk, then dump in all the cake powder from your cake box. By the way, I used yellow cake mix because that was all I had on hand and it still turned out chocolaty and tasty! I also used about a half of a bag of the chocolate chips and when it was still warm from the oven I spread the chips over the top of the cake. Make a nice layer of “frosting” to dip into as you work your way down into the cake! Love, Love, Love this one!!! I like that it has no eggs or oil, so easy!
I haven’t had a boxed cake in quite some time either … but it sure does sound easy, and look delicious!
That’s what she said.
Sorry, had to.
Oh my. This is amazing. I might just have to celebrate my 3/4 birthday (since my half birthday has already passed) so that I have an excuse to make it. Actually…. maybe I’ll make it just because.
Yes what a classic!
I love that you’re including it despite it’s humble beginnings!
This sounds like my kind of cake!! Looks perfect
what a perfect way to cure intense chocolate cravings!!
*a great recipe for kids
Sometimes the best desserts come from a box. My grandma used boxed mixes a lot!
Ahhh this sounds amazing! And easy too!
omg, this cake…..so good!
oh my gosh jenna. *drool* I will be making this on saturday. most def.
i die. lol.
yes, definitely a classic recipe. exciting to see this little cake featured here!
Eh, once in a while it’s fun to take shortcuts. There’s also something very nostalgic about these mixes
I agree!!
One of my friends makes this and she sprinkles sugar on top (because it’s obvi not sweet enough;). Gives it a sweet crunch and all you need is one little square before you go into a sugar overload!
Yep. I’m the same way.
I call it my “Fake and Bake”.
I’m so going to make this. I’ve made lots of dump cakes, but never like this!
Ofcourse, I didn’t see this. I’m not making this. We are good girls. We are a gang.
This is your best “worst recipe” ever. Looks to die for…and I imagine if one ate enough it could be the end of you. But what a great way to go!
Looks delicious, Jenna. Some of the best things in life are theses sorts of things. My sister makes a delicious cake from a box mix. I don’t know the exact recipe from it is all from boxes and can. I believe it is a yellow cake mix cooked in a 9 x 13 pan. While it is warm, she pokes holes in it and pours on a can of sweetened condensed milk and a can of cream de coconut. Then, she tops it will cool whip and shredded coconut and let it sit in the fridge for about 4 days. It is killer!
I never thought I would want to make a recipe with the word ‘dump’ in the title, but I have to admit, this looks delicious. Almost enough chocolate to satisfy me.
This looks delicious, but not so sure about using the word “dump” in a recipe title for chocolate cake.
Haha, you’re so funny
YUM! This looks like the perfect cheat dessert.
I love box mix cake. Yeah I said it.
love recipes like this one. I make them all the time, but don’t always post them on my blog
I feel ya – I am embarrassed to buy boxed cake mix. But this looks so darn simple – I might need to try it. I’ll buy from the self-checkout and move the box really quickly from my basket to my reusable bag
WOW. This is SUPER easy and looks ooey gooey delicious! Thanks for sharing!
This recipe is in our old, old church cook book . I think my husbands grandmother submitted it to the ladies aide years and years ago. Its still a keeper! We throw crushed walnuts on top before we bake it.
You would think a “dump cake” would be bad…. but this looks SO good!
Bahaahahaa so funny.
Ohh – this looks awesome. Reminds me of Kahlua cake…and I now want to add Heath Bar bits to it.
Your secret is safe with me:) I might have to try this cake when I get a chocolate craving!
I think that homemade is best, but I certainly don’t see a problem with boxed mixes every once in awhile. I don’t think you have to give them a bad rap by saying you “don’t do this”.
It’s all about the dump cake…thi can only mean an extra 5 lbs before bikini season
You have NOTHING to be ashamed of! Seriously, that looks SO incredible. YUM!
Hey, I love a homemade cake that takes time and love BUT those box cakes and mixes can also be so tasty! I love the yellow cake mix from Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker….they are damn good, on occasion
I’m about to head out for a dental appointment and I’ll be completely honest…I’m so making this as soon as I get home! Is that wrong?? Maybe.
Good girl.
This looks SOO good! I actually have a box of white cake mix that I just keep staring at because I’m trying to think of how to use it. I usually don’t use boxes either!
Vanilla pudding and white chocolate chips! ahhhh
Love it! Pudding mix is actually a magical addition to baked goods, that’s always been very mysterious to me…but who cares, it’s delicious, doesn’t hurt to have it every once in a while!
This is why you’re my favorite blogger
I must make this asap!
**picks up jaw off floor** you used… a box ?! ;P Love it!
OMG what are you doing to me? That looks drool worthy fantastic and I’m trying to be a good girl these days
“Oh, and once in 10th grade, I totally read my entire United States history textbook just for fun. For fun!”
We are sisters.
I really want to make this with vanilla pudding and strawberry cake mix! Some sliced berries and whipped cream on top would be perfection
okay, as if the chocolate version weren’t tempting enough, this comment just isn’t fair!
i totally understand. sometimes these cheat desserts are the best, like my funfetti cake balls. yummy.
Talk about comfort food – That cake looks like bliss in a pan
Appalling Jenna, simply appalling
I’m a “good girl” too. A little too good if you ask me!
I like your style – and have no problems with this. Is that wrong?
Sometimes a girl’s just gotta think inside the box
This cake looks so good. I will more than likely make it and eat it straight out of the pan with no regreat!
Oh baby, baby!
I like it, keepin’ it real.
I bet there are some fun things one could do to a Funfetti Cake too…
This looks delicious!! I love your recipes. I don’t know if you have a whole foods near you but you might want to check out my giveaway on my blog
I’m not sure how I feel about the word “dump” being in the title, but I’m certainly sold on the chocolate overload!!
lol! it’s a Southern thing I guess
I never keep cake mix on hand, but for this I think I might just start!
This looks really good! Sometimes you just gotta cheat a little
You know what would be good with this too? Peanut butter chips!
I love cake that comes from a box mix! This looks delicious!
I’m a vanilla girl, and I bet this would be awesome with yellow cake, white choc chips and vanilla pudding.
Oh dearrrr…this is trouble. I wonder if this cake could be used as the cakey layer in a trifle? Maybe it would be pudding overload, but maybe -just maybe -it would be awesome.
Pudding with a box cake mix is the bomb! I love lemon pudding with poppyseeds added to yellow cake mix. This looks awesome I want a piece!
Ok…but let’s keep it on the low ok?
wow, drooling on the keyboard!
Oh. My. Goodness.
I have been craving chocolate for days and resisting…I think this just sent me over the edge.
This is the simplest, and best looking, recipe for a moist, ooey gooey makes you want to just die happy, type of cake I have seen lately! I need this in my life!
You’re such a rebel Jenna! It looks too good to look down on for its packagedness!
Ha, I love this!!! I mostly bake from scratch and my mom gave me this boxed mix for pumpkin muffins one day. I remember thinking, what am I supposed to do with this? I made them one day on a whim and I swear they were better than anything I’d made from scratch! I’m not as much of a from-scratch-snob now. haha
WhyI love your blog:
Delicious CHOCOLATE recipes !
And what timing. I just finished the last salted fudge brownie today :>
Nice. baking for the baking challenged. Love it. Can I use soy or almond milk? I am not vegan but just prefer those.
There’s nothing wrong with using boxed cake mix from time to time, especially if it’s chocolate!
Oh, I don’t EVER do things like that either…which means I’m definitely not printing out the recipe right now and heading to the store…no way.
This looks like the PERFECT thing to make for our school luncheon tomorrow. Easy as cake!
I was wondering if you used an 8×8 (from the pictures) or 13×9 pan (like it says in the directions)…I’d hate to mess it up! Thanks for the awesome recipe, I already can’t wait to eat it tomorrow with lunch!
That looks wonderful! Sometimes you just have to do the box mix thing, and it works especially when it is chocolate!
My birthday is coming up and now I know what kind of cake I want.
I am not sure if I should be thanking or cursing you for showing this to me. I just made it with Funfetti cake mix and cheesecake pudding. Substituted the chocolate chips for white, and decided to throw some strawberries on top while I was at it. I may eat the entire pan.
dangggg that sounds amazing. I want some of YOUR cake!
I like this. I like this very much. And I think being a college kid makes it only slightly more acceptable to make this.
Question – the recipe says 9×13, but that looks like a square baking dish…can you clarify? I was going to make this tonight. Thanks Jenna!
I baked mine in a square baking dish because I halved the recipe. To bake the whole recipe, use a 9 x 13 baking dish
GAH! This looks awesome and there are so many variations with the pudding and cake mix. Love it!
Jenna, I want to make this for a family dinner this week. Did you use “Cook n Serve” or “Instant” chocolate pudding mix?
you can use either! I used instant but using cook and serve would be fine, too. Just make sure you make the pudding with milk, not water!
Yum! I make a Pumpkin Spice dumpcake with yellow cake mix and walnuts. I’ve been known to finish it off from time to time…
I had a recipe similar to this years ago. I started putting some of the chocolate chips into it & some on top. Put in oven to melt a little & swirl! That was a good potluck cake. Thanks!
Question: it says here to use a 9 x 13 inch pan….but on your printable recipe page it says to use an 8-inch pan….which is correct? ?
a 9 x 13 inch pan—I need to fix the printable! Sorry!
Let’s be real here, this is the perfect PMS dessert. Quick and easy. I’m making it tomorrow!!
Also, just curious, but have you tried any other variations of this? I’m thinking of trying white cake mix with caramel pudding…maybe it’ll turn out to be an easier version of my favorite dulce de leche blondies! I’m guessing you can’t really go wrong; it’s cake and pudding, who am I kidding? It’ll all taste delicious! Thanks for the “better” version of a dump cake! I’ve never been a fan of the church pot luck standard yellow cake with cherry pie filling and pineapple, so I’m glad to have an alternative!
Thank you so much for this recipe! This is going to be my new go-to for something quick and delicious! I love it so much I dedicated a blog post to it.
no oil..no eggs??
no–just the cake mix, pudding and milk!
Oh my. Just ate two small pieces of this still a little warm from the oven. It is wonderful. My tween daughter and niece also agree. We haven’t shared it with the boys……yet. Thanks so much for posting this!
Loved this recipe Jenna! Made it this weekend and about have it gone already! Thank you so much for sharing.
oh my gosh jenna – i made this very early this morning and it’s a huge hit in the household! Lol! My mom even requested it at our next family party!
This cake is so delish!!!!!! I made it today while making cake pops for a baby shower tomorrow, because of it being so quick to make, I just had to whip this thing together!!!! My daughters absolutely went crazy over it….. I even drove to my parents house so they could taste how heavenly this cake really is! They LOVED it too!!!!! Oh, and I think I will be making another one tomorrow!!!!! lol, thanks for sharing it with us, and I am so thankful I found your blog a few days ago, you have given me so so many great ideas and recipes to try for my family!!!!! You ROCK!!!!!!
Michelle Torres
decorater4life@aol.com
Just wanted to say I made this tonight. I have never…ever…tasted something SO great. It melts like pudding in your mouth but with a spongey, cake texture. Thank you so, so much!
I totally showed this recipe some love and made it today! It was beyond decadent and I LOVED it!! I posted it on my blog as well and mentioned you, Jenna! You are seriously one of my food heroes
Please keep sharing amazing recipes!
This cake is even more amazing the next day. I ate a whole row of the pan today while the BF was at work… Well, I ate half a row, then decided if I ate the whole row it would be less noticeable when he came home. Flawed logic? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely.
Question: Do we follow the cake mix instructions as well?
Nope—just my instructions. It’s so simple!
Is the box of pudding instant?
making it as i type, cannot wait! will try the yellow with lemon pudding and poppy seeds next, a little lemon zest too! all the suggestions sounded so yummy!
Sounds really good and I may make it but for the record, its not a dump cake. Dump cake means you dump it in the pan, no mixing.
Jenna, should I be adding the eggs and oil that the boxed cake mix asks for also or just the dry mix?
nope! Just follow my instructions–you don’t need anything extra other than pudding and milk.
I’m confused about that as well… do you mix the cake mix as directed then add the pudding mixed with milk? Any advice would be great!
No you don’t make the cake mix as directed. All you do is combine the pudding with the milk then dump it in the dry cake mix and stir. Then, bake
Looks yummy though!
This looks great for a chocoholic like me!
I’ve made this twice, but the second time I changed it up a little bit, and it was even better than the first time. I added an extra package of chocolate chips to the mix itself, along with about a cup of marshmallows. It was AMAZING.
why is it called a dump cake?
wow very nice and attractive website
really <3 this
hmmmm yummmy
choco looking great ^^
hey it looks gr8 but the recipe says 13 x 9 and the picture is a 9 x 9 am i the only one who noticed this ! . SO which pan do i use I want to make this for my 10 year old grandson coming tomorrow.?. Thanks
Ok, this looks delish! I had to make it. I only had a funfetti cake mix, some SF/FF butterscotch pudding, and some chocolate chips. It’s in the oven right now. Hopefully it tastes yummy. I’ll be making this for get togethers or a quick dessert. How much easier can it get? Thanks again!!!
Jenna — I made this last night for a friend’s birthday party tonight and truly could not restrain myself. 1. The batter was delish and safe to eat (no eggs!). 2. When the cake was cooked, I cut the cake into brownie-sized squares that I could display on a platter… that way no one would notice that I had to sample a piece at the wee hours of the night. Thank you!
Haha…it’s not so bad, your chocolate chips are from a pretty reputable place!
Found this through pinterest…About to go make it RIGHT NOW, lol. Planning on topping it with some vanilla ice cream! And “dump cake” is totally a Southern thing- usually yellow cake mix topped with butter and pineapple/cherries.
I’m thinking I might come up with a few versions of this! LOL! It looks so amazing!
Thanks for sharing!
Instant pudding or cooked kind?
I discovered this recipe almost a year ago and it is absolutely amazing and so easy! I love the batter too! I will “tweak” the recipe as well. Maybe vanilla one time or strawberry the next. Anyway you use this concept it IS delish!
Is the pudding mix the 6 1/2 cup box? Is that the small one? Mine says to combine with 3 cups of milk on the pudding mix, but did you combine it with 1 1/2 cups of milk instead? Just wanted to double check! Thanks!
Can you make this into a circle cake? and then stack them O_o
I made this for a church supper and my dish came back CLEAN! It was the first to go, and got rave reviews! So easy, which was great, since I had a sick child and had committed myself to bringing a dessert! Thanks for posting! For others – I used the small box of instant sugar free/fat free pudding mix and used the 1 3/4 cups milk as directed on box for the pie recipe. Turned out great! Can’t wait to try out some other combinations (even though, we know chocolate is the best!)
Quick question….instant or cooked pudding? And if you use the cooked, do you dump the cake mix in while it’s still hot?
Instant pudding (prepared with milk but cold, not cooked.)
I found your recipe on pintrest and it sounded so good I just had to try it the next day. It seemed so easy I printed off the recipe and let my 12 year old daughter make it. She followed the directions but it didn’t turn out right. It was all goopey in the middle and we couldn’t figure out why!? Problem is in the print version it says to bake it in an 8 in pan not a 9 x 13 like in the recipe online. Thought I’d let you know….
you can make it even easier & just as delicious by subsituting the pudding mix & milk with a 15.75 oz. can of premade pudding. quick & easy!!
I tried this recipe last week and I only have one word – WOOHOO! I was so good, rich and moist. I couldn’t believe a cake that was so simple could be so good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Your instructions say to prepare pudding as directed on package. But, I doubt we are suppose to cook the pudding first. Nor use 2 cups milk as the package calls for.
So, I cooked the pudding first, and it was hardly spreadable. Is this correct? Something was definitely wrong with the result, probably cooking the pudding first was wrong.
Is this better warm, or room temp.? I was going to take to a pot luck and wondering if I should make it the night before, or wait make it right before we left the house. Any suggestions? thanks! (sorry if you answered this above and I didn’t see it.)
Just made the cake (husband is eating it now and moaning). Instead of regular chocolate chips on top, I used chocolate mint chips. “Tis the season! Very good — thanks for the recipe. It’s great for those “I need a dessert quick” days!
This is delicious! and Super easy! I just use my bundt cake…it’s so much easier that way! I also mix a little bit of the chocolate chips with the batter….mmm
The recipe I had Absolutely said to use the kind you cook and put mix in it right after it’s made while still warm..
Do you use INSTANT pudding? Or the kind that needs cooking? Please clarify?
I triered this recipe using regular Jello pudding mix, not instant, and it was not really fudgey. Not that it wasn’t good – all that chocolate can’t be anything but yummy. But I was a bit disappointed that the cake part wasn’t more gooey. Any suggestions/thoughts??
Made it with DH Red Velvet cake mix and chocolate pudding mix…OMG!! So moist and delicious!! A definite keeper!!
When something seems to good to be true… It probably is. Just made this. FLOP.. It’s totally missing something.
I made this for Valentines Day at work! Everyone loved it! Easy and so good!!!
I just prepared it and its in the oven. I am really worried about how it is going to turn out because the batter was unspreadably thick. Is the 1.5 cups of milk in addition to the milk used in the pudding recipe, or is it the total amount of milk used? Thank you!
I have been making this cake for over 20 years (without chocolate chips) I use the cooked pudding with the cake mix, put batter in an angel food cake pan. After it cools I use dental floss to cut two slices – which leave a little top piece. I then spread hot fudge, sliced bananas and fresh whipped cream and layer again … this is my Hot Fudge Whip Cream Banana Cake. The last time I made it as a trifle and it was just as good. This is definitely the best fudgy chocolate cake ever and so easy to make … I’m going to try your recipe next time.
I tried it last night. It was awful. I tried it once with the 8×8 and the 13×9. I followed the instructions to the letter. I cannot believe I wasted my time and my money on this.
I should have seen the inconsistencies in the comments, the pictures, and my own gut reaction.
If there was an unlike button, I’d press it right now.
I just made this with ff sf cook and serve chocolate pudding with skim milk and it is so delicious. I also have a box of instant cheesecake pudding and I’m trying to decide if I should mix it with a chocolate cake mix or maybe strawberry with white chocolate chips. Yum!
so my husband grabbed like pudding in the cups. can i use this?
No it must be pudding mix.
I’m making this cake tonight for the second time. The first time I made it I thought it was ok but my family loved it! I did think it was hard to spread as well. Whoever reads this recipe do not cook the pudding or make the pudding. Your simply mixing the ingredients together (cake mix, pudding & milk). I use sugarfree fat free instant chocolate pudding however this time I mixed the cake, pudding and skim milk all together instead of making the pudding separate. The batter was more manageable and tasted the same as the last time. It’s in the oven…….. I also ran out of chocolate chips so I combined butterscotch and semi sweet chocolate chips together
Did you bake in an 8×8 or a 13x9x2 pan?
Is the chocolate pudding instant or cook
QUESTION: Maybe I missed something but could someone tell me if you use an instant or cook pudding in this recipe? Thanks!
I just wanted to let you know that I tried this tonight & something was very wrong. It never cooked properly. I discovered that your “print” link is different. Your recipe says to bake in a 9 x 13 pan but the printed copy says to bake in an 8″ pan. I will try it again but I’ll make sure to use the 9 x 13 pan next time. Thanks for the recipe.
Instant pudding?
Argh, I just tried to make this. But I didn’t realize you meant INSTANT pudding, so I got the cook & serve kind — it does not look like it will turn out. You might want to update your post to reflect that.
I just made this for the 2nd time. I used fat free, sugar free pudding and fat free milk it turned out very nice. I just Love, Love , Love this recipe. It is so simple to do. It does come out a little thick but spreads just fine. I drizzled melted caramel over the top and it was yummy!!!! My husband loves it also and the added benefit of the FF SF is awesome. Thanx
Can’t wait to try this, I love recipe’s that use cake mix, hope this is as great as everyone say;s Patty
Did you use instant pudding or the regular kind, or does it matter? I’m totally making this tomorrow!
? Instant pudding or cook and serve?
Dump cakes are wonderful. Here is a variation I made today for a picnics am going to.
Use Oreo Cookie Instant Pudding, Family Size Triple Chocolate Brownie mix and skim milk. I topped with semi sweet chips and chopped Virginia peanuts.
Oh it is so good! Enjoy
I have the same question I’ve noticed others have: is it instant pudding or cook ‘n serve pudding? I have tried to dutifully read through all 173 comments for the answer but can’t seem to find it. PLEASE revise/update the original recipe to answer this question. I know others will also be happy you did.
And at the same time, perhaps you can clarify whether it’s an 8×8 or 9×13 pan. There’s a discrepancy between your picture, the blog directions, and the “print” directions. Thanks!
I had to add a little extra milk to get it to mix together–used soured milk and added sliced almonds on top as well…. Mine fell in the center but still tasted PHENOMENAL!!
I used a 9x9in pan– it raised to the top and looked beautiful… until I tested the center too soon and it fell. baked it at least 35 min @350
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