Chocolate Lava Dump Cake Recipe – Rich, Gooey, and Super Easy
If you love chocolate and enjoy warm, melty desserts, then chocolate lava dump cake is going to be your new favorite treat.
It’s soft on top, fudgy underneath, and filled with melted chocolate that oozes out with every spoonful.
The best part? You don’t need to be a professional baker to make it.
This recipe is super simple, quick to prepare, and made with just a handful of ingredients.
A dump cake is exactly what it sounds like—you “dump” all the ingredients into a dish, layer by layer, and let the oven do the rest.
There’s no need to mix or be exact about technique.
It’s a dessert that always comes out delicious, especially when it includes chocolate cake mix, pudding, and gooey chocolate chips.
Let’s jump into how you can make this amazing dessert at home!
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 ½ cups cold milk
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
- ½ cup melted butter
- Optional: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for topping
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to go.
While the oven warms up, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish.
You don’t need to grease it since the butter will help with that later, but you can use a light spray if you prefer easier cleanup.
Step 2: Make the Pudding
In a mixing bowl, combine the instant chocolate pudding mix with 2 ½ cups of cold milk.
Use a spoon or whisk to stir it for about 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
You don’t need to chill it—just set it aside while you prepare the cake base.
Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
Pour the dry chocolate cake mix straight into the bottom of your baking dish.
Don’t mix it with anything—just spread it out evenly across the bottom.
This will form the cake layer as it bakes, and the pudding will help moisten it from below.
Step 4: Layer the Pudding and Chocolate Chips
Carefully spoon the prepared pudding over the top of the dry cake mix.
Spread it gently with a spatula or the back of a spoon so it covers the cake mix evenly.
Then, sprinkle the chocolate chips all over the top.
These will melt as the cake bakes and help create the gooey, lava-like center.
Step 5: Drizzle with Melted Butter
Take the melted butter and slowly pour it over the top of the pudding and chocolate chips.
Try to drizzle it as evenly as you can.
The butter helps the cake cook and gives it that rich, moist texture.
You’ll notice parts of the top will become crispy while the inside stays soft and fudgy.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
You’ll know it’s done when the edges are set and the top looks a bit crackly, but the middle still looks a little soft—that’s the lava part!
Let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving so it can cool slightly but still stay warm and gooey.
Scoop it into bowls and serve with a big spoonful of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
The contrast between the warm cake and the cold topping makes every bite even better.
Why This Recipe Works
Chocolate lava dump cake is the kind of dessert you can make anytime.
It’s perfect for weeknights, birthdays, holidays, or just when you want something chocolatey and comforting.
Because it’s made with a boxed cake mix and pudding, you don’t need to worry about fancy steps or perfect measurements.
It’s also great for beginners or for baking with kids because there’s no complicated mixing or equipment involved.
Everything happens in one dish, which means less cleanup and more fun.
Tips and Variations
If you want to add your own twist to this cake, here are some ideas:
Use white chocolate chips for a mix of flavors
Try peanut butter chips for a chocolate-peanut butter combo
Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for crunch
Add a splash of coffee to the pudding mix for a mocha flavor
Swap the chocolate pudding for caramel pudding to make it even richer
Final Thoughts
Chocolate lava dump cake is one of those desserts that makes everyone smile.
It’s warm, gooey, rich, and oh-so-easy to make.
You don’t need a mixer, and there’s barely any prep work. Just layer, bake, and enjoy.
Whether you’re making it for a party or just a night in, this cake will fill your kitchen with the smell of melted chocolate and bring everyone running to the table.
Grab a spoon and dig in—you’re going to love every melty bite.