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.
Chocolate Pudding Cake
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. You can put it in the oven right before dinner and it is ready right when you are ready to serve it for dessert. In this recipe, I usually use a Devil’s Food Cake mix, but a German Chocolate mix or regular chocolate cake mix work just as well. If you like nuts on your cake, you can also sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top with the chocolate chips.
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 as is. You can also simply 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.
Easy Desserts That Start With a Cake Mix
Using a cake mix for a dessert makes preparation quick and easy, but you don’t have to settle for a basic cake. There are so many fun and fancy desserts that start with a cake mix. These are some of our favorites.
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Nothing Bundt Cake – A rich, moist, and delicious chocolate cake that tastes just like the cake you can buy from the Nothing Bundt Cake store.
- Raspberry Lemon Cake – This cake is so cold and refreshing. The Jell-O gelatin in the cake makes it so moist and flavorful.
- Better Than You Know What Cake – Turn a basic chocolate cake mix into a decadent dessert. A chocolate cake filled with sweet, caramel filling and topped with toffee bars.
- German Chocolate Cookie Bars – These bars have a chewy chocolate cookie layer topped with gooey homemade German chocolate coconut frosting.
- Cake Mix Coffee Cake – If you like coffee cake, you are going to LOVE this Cake Mix Coffee Cake! I am a big fan of coffee cake and I am even a bigger fan of it when I can skip a couple steps to get it done quicker!
How To Make Chocolate Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Devil's Food cake mix dry
- 5 oz chocolate pudding mix cook and serve, not instant
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- 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.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch pan
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Judy Whittenberg says
can you use the instant pudding mix??
Echo says
The instant pudding mix won’t bake the same. The cooked pudding mix works the best in this recipe. Thanks for asking!
Cindy says
I followed the recipe except rather than putting chocolate chips on top, I made a chocolate glaze using the chips, kept the cake covered with foil. This lasted a week and never dried out, instead of was delicious and moist, we cut brownie size portions and enjoyed it all week!!
Emily Walker says
I’m so glad you liked it, I’ll have to try the chocolate glaze!
Terrina says
Can I use can pudding in this
Favorite Family Recipes says
No, it needs to be the powdered kind.
Nola Stratton says
Do you cool the pudding mixture before you mix it into the cake mix?
Echo says
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!
Donna says
Can this be made using other flavors of cake and pudding mixes ? ie … Butter Pecan Cake , Butterscotch Pudding and Butterscotch Chips Thank you
Echo says
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!
Amber says
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!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Let us know how it compares to your grandma’s recipe! 😀
Tiffany says
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
Echo says
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!
Liz says
Nice and easy. Thank you.
Kristin says
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?
Echo says
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!
Leah says
Do you know if this will work with a gluten free boxed cake mix?
Erica says
We haven’t ever made it GF… if anyone tries it, please let us know how it turns out!
Amy K. says
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!
Dianne D says
Not sure why but mine turned out gummy. I cooked it for 35 minutes at 350. ????
Echo says
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!
Marilyn Richards says
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
Echo says
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!
Marilyn Richards says
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.
Cindy says
Hi, can the cake be frozen?
Echo says
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!
Mary Shoop says
Do you adjust the cake mix for high altitude as suggested on the box before adding the pudding?
Echo says
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!
Tania says
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
Emily says
I’m not sure, is there something like a cooked custard?
Nono says
This will substitute.
Karen white says
Could I make this with sugar free cake mix an sugar free pudding? My husband is diabetic .
Erica says
Sure! It should still be great!
sandy says
to make it sugar free how much pudding do I use they don’t sell 5 oz s/f
Erica says
I’m not exactly sure what you are asking… what DO they sell s/f?
Robin says
I love this cake. I always use a can of chocolate pudding in the baking section where they keep pie fillings. I use the brand “Thank You” pudding. I’m sure it comes out the same. I also sprinkle some powdered sugar over it just to look pretty.
Deanna S says
Can I use a 11 x 7 inch pan? They would probably be thicker so would I cook them longer too?
Favorite Family Recipes says
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?
Gerry says
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.
Favorite Family Recipes says
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!
Stacy says
Wow! This was super easy to make and was an absolute hit with my family and friends! (You were right-some whipped cream sent it over the top.) Thank you!
Favorite Family Recipes says
I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for sharing!
Connie Theis says
I have to know if I need to add the ingredients listed on the cake mix box? Is the cooked pudding the only thing I need ?
Thank you ,
Constance Theis
Favorite Family Recipes says
You just need the cooked pudding! That’s the great thing about this cake!
Linda Tanzini says
Cake mixes have changed in size, depending on brand. What size do you use in this one? I do gluten free which are usually about 15 oz. If this isn ‘t big enough the liquid would be too much.
Love your site by the way, Thank you, Linda
Favorite Family Recipes says
I’ve actually made this with a gluten free cake mix, even though the gluten free mix is less ounces, it still turned out great! The 15 oz will work perfect.
Joni Harrison says
Could this cake be made as a Bundt? If so, how would you adjust the cooking time?
I’m going to try it for my 67th birthday which is coming up soon!
joni
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t made this as a bundt before. If you do make it as a bundt, you can try reducing the heat and increasing the time. Let us know how it turns out if you try it!
Gi says
Can I make these into cupcakes, & just lower the cooking time?
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t tried it that way, but it sounds delicious! Let us know how it goes if you try it!
JJ says
Where did you get whisk used in video? It looks perfect for pudding.
Favorite Family Recipes says
I purchased it at a kitchen supply store and I love it! I use it all the time. The round shape keeps thick batter and other ingredients from getting stuck inside the whisk. This is a similar whisk I found on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Drg3So.
Lynn says
I’ve baked this cake multiple times. My family prefers it with peanut butter chips
Erica says
That sounds delicious! Can’t go wrong with peanut butter chips. YUM!
Mary Smith says
Oh my goodness that is wonderful I learned how to make this 25 years 30 years ago and never forgot the recipe and I just started making it again for the grandkids and they just go crazy over it so thank you for helping me to remember my favorite recipe thank you Mary Smith
Marcia Miller says
Super easy to make, DEEEE-licious to eat. A winner all around!
MaryB says
Save a bowl, dump the dry cake mix straight into the pan of cooked pudding!
Best chocolate cake ever; so easy, so chocolatey, so moist!
Jeff Guarino says
Came across your recipe looking for a chocolate birthday dessert for my wife that she would really enjoy. She is a chocolate lover and this was fantastic. Delicious cake that the whole family loved with or without ice cream. We especially enjoyed no frosting because we both enjoy the cake more anyway. Thank you!