Name: Hot Chocolate Dump Cake recipe
Ingredients: 1 box (15.25 ounces) Chocolate Cake Mix: This forms the base of our dump cake, providing structure and that classic chocolate cake flavor. Choose your favorite brand of chocolate cake mix. Devil’s Food cake mix will result in an extra rich and intensely chocolatey cake, while a regular chocolate cake mix will be slightly lighter. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix, ensuring all other ingredients are also gluten-free.; 1 package (3.9 ounces) Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: This is the secret ingredient that adds incredible moisture and fudgy texture to the cake. It also intensifies the chocolate flavor and helps create that signature gooey center. Make sure to use instant pudding mix, not cook-and-serve. If you want to enhance the hot chocolate flavor even further, you could use chocolate fudge pudding mix.; 1 ½ cups Milk: The liquid component that brings the cake mix and pudding together. Whole milk will result in the richest flavor and texture, but 2% milk or even skim milk will also work. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Coconut milk can also be used for a slightly different flavor profile.; 1 cup Hot Water: Essential for dissolving the hot chocolate mix and adding moisture to the cake. Make sure the water is hot enough to properly dissolve the hot chocolate powder.; 1 package (1.25 ounces) Hot Chocolate Mix (Powder): The star of the show! This infuses the cake with that comforting, classic hot chocolate flavor. Use your favorite brand of hot chocolate mix. For a richer, more intense hot chocolate flavor, consider using a dark chocolate hot chocolate mix. You can also experiment with different flavors of hot chocolate, such as peppermint or salted caramel, for a fun twist.; ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, melted: Melted butter adds richness, moisture, and helps create a golden, crispy top. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt level in the cake. If you only have salted butter, you can omit a pinch of added salt if desired. For a dairy-free version, use a vegan butter substitute that melts and behaves similarly to dairy butter.; Optional Toppings (for serving): Whipped Cream: A classic topping that complements the rich chocolate flavor. Use homemade whipped cream for the best taste or store-bought for convenience.; Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows or marshmallow fluff enhance the hot chocolate theme and add a touch of sweetness.; Chocolate Syrup: For an extra dose of chocolate decadence. Use your favorite chocolate syrup or make your own.; Chocolate shavings or sprinkles: For visual appeal and added chocolate texture.; Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chocolate, or Mint Chocolate Chip): A scoop of ice cream takes this warm cake to another level of indulgence.; Dusting of Cocoa Powder or Powdered Sugar: For a simple and elegant finish.

Ingredients

Scale

- 1 box (15.25 ounces) Chocolate Cake Mix: This forms the base of our dump cake, providing structure and that classic chocolate cake flavor. Choose your favorite brand of chocolate cake mix. Devil’s Food cake mix will result in an extra rich and intensely chocolatey cake, while a regular chocolate cake mix will be slightly lighter. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix, ensuring all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

- 1 package (3.9 ounces) Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: This is the secret ingredient that adds incredible moisture and fudgy texture to the cake. It also intensifies the chocolate flavor and helps create that signature gooey center. Make sure to use instant pudding mix, not cook-and-serve. If you want to enhance the hot chocolate flavor even further, you could use chocolate fudge pudding mix.

- 1 ½ cups Milk: The liquid component that brings the cake mix and pudding together. Whole milk will result in the richest flavor and texture, but 2% milk or even skim milk will also work. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Coconut milk can also be used for a slightly different flavor profile.

- 1 cup Hot Water: Essential for dissolving the hot chocolate mix and adding moisture to the cake. Make sure the water is hot enough to properly dissolve the hot chocolate powder.

- 1 package (1.25 ounces) Hot Chocolate Mix (Powder): The star of the show! This infuses the cake with that comforting, classic hot chocolate flavor. Use your favorite brand of hot chocolate mix. For a richer, more intense hot chocolate flavor, consider using a dark chocolate hot chocolate mix. You can also experiment with different flavors of hot chocolate, such as peppermint or salted caramel, for a fun twist.

- ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, melted: Melted butter adds richness, moisture, and helps create a golden, crispy top. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt level in the cake. If you only have salted butter, you can omit a pinch of added salt if desired. For a dairy-free version, use a vegan butter substitute that melts and behaves similarly to dairy butter.

- Optional Toppings (for serving):
  - - Whipped Cream: A classic topping that complements the rich chocolate flavor. Use homemade whipped cream for the best taste or store-bought for convenience.
  - - Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows or marshmallow fluff enhance the hot chocolate theme and add a touch of sweetness.
  - - Chocolate Syrup: For an extra dose of chocolate decadence. Use your favorite chocolate syrup or make your own.
  - - Chocolate shavings or sprinkles: For visual appeal and added chocolate texture.
  - - Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chocolate, or Mint Chocolate Chip): A scoop of ice cream takes this warm cake to another level of indulgence.
  - - Dusting of Cocoa Powder or Powdered Sugar: For a simple and elegant finish.

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. This prevents the cake from sticking to the pan and makes for easy removal after baking. You can also lightly flour the greased pan for extra insurance against sticking, especially if using a glass baking dish.

1. Combine Dry Ingredients in Baking Dish: In the prepared baking dish, pour in the dry chocolate cake mix and the instant chocolate pudding mix. Spread them evenly across the bottom of the dish. Do not mix them together at this stage – they will combine during baking.

1. Sprinkle Hot Chocolate Mix: Evenly sprinkle the hot chocolate mix powder over the dry cake mix and pudding mix. Distribute it as uniformly as possible to ensure consistent hot chocolate flavor throughout the cake.

1. Pour in Milk and Hot Water: Gently pour the milk evenly over the dry ingredients in the baking dish. Then, carefully pour the hot water over the milk. Again, try to distribute the liquids as evenly as possible across the surface of the dry ingredients. Do not stir or mix the ingredients at this point. This layering technique is what gives dump cakes their unique texture.

1. Drizzle with Melted Butter: Slowly and evenly drizzle the melted butter over the top of the liquid mixture. Try to cover as much of the surface area as possible with the melted butter. The butter will help create a slightly crispy top layer as the cake bakes.

1. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. The top of the cake should be golden brown and slightly crisp, and the center should be set but still slightly gooey. Baking times can vary depending on your oven and the specific cake mix used, so start checking for doneness around 45 minutes. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

1. Cool Slightly and Serve: Remove the Hot Chocolate Dump Cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the cake to set slightly and makes it easier to slice and serve. Dump cakes are best served warm, as this is when they are at their gooiest and most delicious. Serve directly from the baking dish or slice and plate individual portions. Top with your favorite toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate syrup, or ice cream, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 300-400 calories
Sugar: 25-35g
Sodium: 250-350mg
Fat: 12-18g
Carbohydrates: 40-50g
Fiber: 1-2g
Protein: 3-5g
Cholesterol: 30-50mg