Death by Chocolate Dump Cake: The Ultimate One-Pan Dessert for Chocoholics

If you believe there’s no such thing as “too much chocolate,” then you’ve just met your new obsession: Death by Chocolate Dump Cake. Overflowing with layers of deep, dark, melty chocolate and gooey chocolate chips on top, this dessert is as decadent and easy as it gets. The name is no exaggeration — one bite and you’ll be in chocolate heaven.

This dessert is fudgy like a brownie, moist like a lava cake, and as easy to throw together as a boxed mix — because that’s exactly where it begins. No mixing bowls, no fuss, just one pan and layers of chocolatey goodness that bake into a rich, molten masterpiece.

Perfect for holidays, birthdays, potlucks, or when life simply calls for a serious chocolate fix.

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What Is a Dump Cake?

A dump cake is a classic American dessert known for its minimal effort and maximum flavor. Traditionally, ingredients are literally “dumped” into a baking dish in layers — no stirring required. As it bakes, everything melts, bubbles, and blends into a warm, spoonable dessert with gooey layers and crisp edges.

This Death by Chocolate version takes that method to the next level by layering chocolate cake mix, pudding, chocolate chips, and more, creating a lava-like center and fudgy top that’s downright sinful.

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Why You’ll Love This Cake

✔️ One bowl (actually, just one pan!)
✔️ Rich, moist, and ultra-chocolatey
✔️ No mixer, no eggs, no problem
✔️ Perfectly scoopable straight from the pan
✔️ Customizable with add-ins or toppings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses pantry staples and shortcuts, but delivers homemade taste in every bite:

• 1 box devil’s food cake mix (or chocolate fudge cake mix)
• 1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 (12 oz) bag semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• ½ cup butter, sliced
• Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or mini marshmallows

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How to Make Death by Chocolate Dump Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Grease

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Mix the Pudding

In a bowl (or directly in the baking dish), whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and thickened — about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Cake Mix

Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly over the pudding layer. Do not stir!

Step 4: Top with Chips and Butter

Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of the cake mix. Then dot evenly with slices of butter.

Step 5: Bake

Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the center looks set but gooey. The top will be slightly crisp, the middle molten.

Step 6: Cool Slightly and Serve Warm

Let it cool for 10 minutes before scooping. Serve warm in bowls with ice cream or whipped cream!

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Tips for Success

• Do not stir after layering — the magic happens in the oven
• Use cold milk for the pudding to thicken properly
• Want extra fudgy texture? Use hot fudge sauce as an added layer before baking
• Let it rest before serving — the center will thicken slightly but still be molten
• Use good chocolate chips — semi-sweet, dark, or even peanut butter chips for a twist

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Flavor Variations

🍒 Black Forest: Add a layer of cherry pie filling before the cake mix
☕ Mocha: Stir a tablespoon of instant espresso powder into the pudding
🍫 Triple Chocolate: Use a chocolate cake mix, chocolate pudding, and dark chocolate chunks
🥜 Peanut Butter: Swirl in peanut butter before baking or top with chopped Reese’s
🍪 Oreo Madness: Crumble Oreos on top before baking for cookies-and-cream flair

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What to Serve With Dump Cake

Because this cake is so rich and gooey, it’s perfect when paired with:

• Vanilla bean ice cream
• Whipped cream or Cool Whip
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries
• Chopped nuts for crunch
• A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce

Pair it with a cold glass of milk, coffee, or even a scoop of mint chip ice cream for a contrast.

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Storage and Reheating

• Store: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days
• Reheat: Microwave individual servings for 20–30 seconds until gooey again
• Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat to serve

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Make-Ahead Friendly

Want to prepare in advance?

• Mix pudding and layer cake mix and chips in pan
• Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours
• Add butter on top and bake fresh when ready

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FAQ

❓Can I use different cake mix flavors?

Yes! Try German chocolate, milk chocolate, or red velvet for variety.

❓Is it supposed to be gooey in the middle?

Absolutely! The molten center is part of the magic. It sets more as it cools, but stays luscious.

❓Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes! Layer ingredients the same way and cook on LOW for 2.5 to 3 hours or until set around the edges and gooey in the middle.

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Final Thoughts

This Death by Chocolate Dump Cake is the kind of dessert you make when you want maximum reward for minimum effort. It’s rich, messy in the best way, and guaranteed to be the first dish gone at any gathering.

Keep it in your recipe rotation for holidays, birthdays, or any time your chocolate cravings get out of control. One pan. One spoon. One blissful chocolate experience.

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