This Chocolate Pudding Cake is probably the easiest chocolate cake recipe out there. There are only 4 ingredients! It is also one of the best tasting chocolate cakes I have ever had.
The amount of pudding used in the recipe makes the cake so moist and delicious. What I love most about this cake is that you don’t need to frost it. The cake itself is so rich that you can eat it alone or just add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. One of my favorite treats during the holidays is to serve it with a scoop of peppermint ice cream or with a big mug of hot cocoa. I think this cake is best served warm right out of the oven. It makes the house smell wonderful. However, if you need to make it ahead to serve later, it is every bit as moist and delicious served cold.
I got this recipe at a women’s retreat many years ago and it has been a favorite ever since. It was a suggested dessert for holiday entertaining because it is so easy to make yet it tastes so good. In this recipe, I usually use a Devil’s Food Cake mix, but a German Chocolate or regular chocolate cake mix works just as well. If you like nuts on your cake, you can also sprinkle chopped pecans on top with the chocolate chips.
- 1 Devil's Food cake mix dry
- 1 large package cook & serve chocolate pudding mix 5 ounces
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Pour contents of cake mix box into a large bowl.
- Stir dry pudding mix and milk together in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Fold cooked pudding into the dry cake mix.
- Pour mixture into a 9x13 pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly on top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes.
- This cake is delicious served warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
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can you use the instant pudding mix??
The instant pudding mix won’t bake the same. The cooked pudding mix works the best in this recipe. Thanks for asking!
Do you cool the pudding mixture before you mix it into the cake mix?
No, I don’t cool the pudding first. You can mix it with the cake as soon as it’s finished cooking and pop it in the oven. Thanks for asking!
Can this be made using other flavors of cake and pudding mixes ? ie … Butter Pecan Cake , Butterscotch Pudding and Butterscotch Chips Thank you
I haven’t ever tried it with any other cake or pudding flavors, but I think it sounds great. I can’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t work. Thank you for the idea!
Any flavor combo works! I found your blog searching for the directions to the recipe my grandma uses- she does butterscotch pudding with spice cake mix (always Duncan Hines!!) and it is my very favorite version (she occasionally makes chocolate, so I’ve had both). I *think* she uses 2 cups of milk, but I’m going to try your way and see how it goes!
Let us know how it compares to your grandma’s recipe! 😀
What about the I gradients that the cake mix calls for? =) also could I possibly pour caramel over this or would it be too rich? Thanx
You use the cake mix dry with no other added ingredients. The cake is already quite rich, but I think caramel on top would be delicious! Thanks for the idea!
Nice and easy. Thank you.
Looks delicious! I usually prefer taller cakes. Would this still bake ok in a 8×8 or 9×9? How would you change the bake time?
I think the baking time would be the same or just slightly shorter if you have 2 8×8 or 9×9 pans. Just keep an eye on it as it is baking. When a toothpick comes out clean in the middle it’s done. Good luck!
Do you know if this will work with a gluten free boxed cake mix?
We haven’t ever made it GF… if anyone tries it, please let us know how it turns out!
I made this cake with my kids earlier this summer and it was SO YUMMY! I just baked another one to bring to a get together tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe!
Not sure why but mine turned out gummy. I cooked it for 35 minutes at 350. ????
I’m sorry it didn’t turn out. The only thing I can think of is maybe it’s a difference in the brand of cake mix or pudding mix. I don’t use a cake mix that already has pudding in the mix, because I will be adding the pudding. I also use the Jell-O cook and serve pudding mix, not instant. I hope that helps!
I cannot find the 5 oz pudding I made it before and my family wants it again I have tried six stores any suggestions,I have to make it for a party.Thanks
I would suggest using two of the 3 oz pudding mixes. Each pudding mix contains about 1/2 cup of the pudding powder. Before combining the dry pudding mix with the milk, remove 2 Tablespoons of the powder from one of the boxes. This should give you approximately the same amount as a 5 oz pudding mix. Thanks for asking!
Thank you I have to make this for my son’s birthday that’s all he wanted ,I will let you know how it comes out.
Hi, can the cake be frozen?
I haven’t ever tried freezing it, but I don’t know why not. It probably will taste best fresh from the oven. My favorite way to serve it (and eat it) is when it is still warm – kind of like eating warm cookies from the oven. Thanks for asking!
Do you adjust the cake mix for high altitude as suggested on the box before adding the pudding?
Yes, if the cake mix suggests adding flour, add the flour and adjust the baking time and temperature. Don’t add oil, eggs, or water. Thanks for asking!
Where can I get the cook pudding mix in Australia or what may it be called in Australia we only have the cold milk puddling mixture
I’m not sure, is there something like a cooked custard?
Could I make this with sugar free cake mix an sugar free pudding? My husband is diabetic .
Sure! It should still be great!
to make it sugar free how much pudding do I use they don’t sell 5 oz s/f
I’m not exactly sure what you are asking… what DO they sell s/f?
Can I use a 11 x 7 inch pan? They would probably be thicker so would I cook them longer too?
It might be too much batter for a 11×7 pan– if you do bake it, just keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t overflow. Is the pan you are using deeper than a typical 9×13?
This recipe has been in my family for over 60 years. In our house it is called ( Grandpa Ihde’s cake). Grandpa Ihde was a wiz in the kitchen. I hope everyone enjoys this cake.
Thanks Gerry! It is a great recipe – and so easy to make. It became a tradition in my family to bake it during the holidays. I love the way food can bring back such wonderful memories. I’m glad it brought back a memory for you of your Grandpa!