Name: Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix; 2 cups milk; 1 box (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix; 1 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels; 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional); 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; Caramel sauce for drizzling (optional)

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If you’re searching for the ultimate decadent dessert that comes together in a snap, you’re absolutely going to fall in love with this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake. Imagine layers of rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and a buttery topping, all coming together in a single baking dish with practically zero fuss. This is the kind of treat you whip up when you want to wow a crowd — or just treat yourself to something outrageously delicious. Each bite is the perfect harmony of fudgy cake, creamy pudding, and melty caramel pockets, making this a go-to recipe whenever caramel cravings strike.

Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is how easily it comes together with simple, store-bought ingredients. Each component adds its own magic, building all those wonderful layers of flavor and texture you’ll crave again and again.

Chocolate cake mix: This is the base of your cake; choose your favorite brand for a reliable chocolate punch.
Milk: Adds creaminess to the pudding, making the cake irresistibly moist.
Instant chocolate pudding mix: Creates a rich, fudgy layer beneath the cake, upping the chocolate intensity.
Caramel bits or chopped soft caramels: Melt into gooey puddles throughout, delivering bursts of sweet, sticky caramel.
Semisweet chocolate chips (optional): Scattered across the top for extra chocolatey pockets—highly recommended if you’re a chocoholic!
Unsalted butter, melted: Helps create that signature crispy, buttery top and brings everything together.
Caramel sauce for drizzling (optional): A final flourish for serving, adding shine and even more caramel taste.

How to Make Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. I like to use a little butter or nonstick spray to prevent any sticky caramel from clinging—because every bite belongs on your plate, not on the pan!

Step 2: Whisk the Pudding Layer

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and instant chocolate pudding mix until it begins to thicken, which takes just about 2 minutes. This luscious mixture is what gives our Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake its signature moist, almost molten base.

Step 3: Pour and Layer

Pour the thickened pudding into your prepared dish, and gently spread it out to cover the bottom. Next, sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the pudding layer. Don’t stir—just let those layers sit atop one another for the true magic to happen.

Step 4: Add Caramel and Chocolate Chips

Evenly scatter the caramel bits or chopped caramels over the surface of the cake mix. If you’re feeling extra indulgent (and honestly, why not?), sprinkle the chocolate chips on top for some melty, chocolatey surprises in every bite.

Step 5: Drizzle with Butter

Gently drizzle your melted butter over the entire surface, trying to cover as much as possible. The butter seeps down, combining with the cake mix and creating those wonderfully crisped edges and gooey middles that make this dessert so heavenly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The top should look set and a little crunchy around the edges, but you want the inside to remain nice and gooey. That’s part of the charm of Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake!

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let your dump cake cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes (it’ll be piping hot!) before serving. If you like, drizzle with a little caramel sauce for even more wow factor.

How to Serve Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake

Garnishes

This cake is a showstopper straight out of the oven, but a few simple touches can take it to the next level. I love to top warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a generous drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a sprinkle of sea salt to bring out the contrast of flavors. A dollop of whipped cream or a handful of toasted nuts can also add a fun twist.

Side Dishes

If you’re serving Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake at a get-together, pair it with fresh berries or a light fruit salad for balance. For drinks, coffee or a bold espresso makes a beautiful companion to the richness of the cake, and a glass of cold milk is nostalgia in a cup.

Creative Ways to Present

You can make individual servings in small ramekins for a dinner party, or scoop the cake into pretty glasses layered with cream and fruit for an easy parfait. For casual nights, I love serving it family-style, with everyone digging in and helping themselves to big, gooey pieces.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (a big “if”!), let the cake cool completely, then cover the dish tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. It’ll keep well in the fridge for up to four days without losing its irresistible gooeyness.

Freezing

To freeze Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake, make sure it’s totally cool, then cut into portions and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Tuck the wrapped pieces into a freezer bag or container, where they’ll stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready for a treat, just defrost overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

For that freshly-baked magic, reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 30 seconds or until warm. If you’re feeding a crowd again, you can pop the whole dish back into the oven at 300°F for about 10-15 minutes, just until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! While chocolate brings depth and richness, a devil’s food or even a yellow cake mix can be a delicious twist. Just know you may lose a bit of that double chocolate wow — but it will still be delightful with all that caramel.

Do I really have to let the cake cool before serving?

While it’s tempting to dig in straight from the oven, giving Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake a few minutes to cool helps everything set just right. Plus, it’s still wonderfully warm and even easier to serve after a short rest!

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Swap in your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix and check that your pudding mix and caramels are certified gluten-free. The rest of the process is exactly the same, making it easy to accommodate gluten sensitivities.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can! Use plant-based milk (like almond or oat), a dairy-free pudding mix, and a vegan butter substitute. Double-check your chocolate and caramel ingredients to ensure they’re dairy-free as well.

Why is it called a “dump” cake?

This family-friendly dessert earned its name because you just dump all the ingredients into your pan, no need for fancy techniques or multiple bowls. Everything bakes together and transforms into a deliciously layered cake, less fuss and pure joy!

Final Thoughts

Every baker needs a ridiculously easy, crowd-pleasing treat up their sleeve, and this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is absolutely it. It’s rich and gooey, never fails to impress, and easily slides into your weeknight or party menu. Go ahead and treat yourself — and your loved ones — to a slice (or two) of chocolate-caramel bliss!

Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich, gooey goodness of this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake. A decadent dessert that’s super easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

1 box chocolate cake mix
2 cups milk
1 box (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix

Toppings:

1 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Caramel sauce for drizzling (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mix Pudding: In a bowl, whisk milk and chocolate pudding mix until slightly thickened.
Layer: Pour pudding mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pudding, then add caramel bits and chocolate chips.
Drizzle Butter: Pour melted butter over the top.
Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes until the top is set and slightly crispy.
Cool and Serve: Let cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.