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. 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.
Ingredients
- 1 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.
More 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!
Judy Whittenberg says
December 15, 2014 at 3:29 pmcan you use the instant pudding mix??
Echo says
December 15, 2014 at 7:52 pmThe instant pudding mix won’t bake the same. The cooked pudding mix works the best in this recipe. Thanks for asking!
Nola Stratton says
December 15, 2014 at 8:33 pmDo you cool the pudding mixture before you mix it into the cake mix?
Echo says
December 17, 2014 at 10:19 pmNo, 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
December 16, 2014 at 3:21 amCan this be made using other flavors of cake and pudding mixes ? ie … Butter Pecan Cake , Butterscotch Pudding and Butterscotch Chips Thank you
Echo says
December 17, 2014 at 10:18 pmI 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
July 29, 2017 at 10:42 pmAny 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
July 30, 2017 at 7:42 pmLet us know how it compares to your grandma’s recipe! 😀
Tiffany says
December 16, 2014 at 8:26 amWhat 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
December 17, 2014 at 10:22 pmYou 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
December 16, 2014 at 8:58 amNice and easy. Thank you.
Kristin says
December 16, 2014 at 7:15 pmLooks 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
December 17, 2014 at 10:11 pmI 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
December 19, 2014 at 2:03 pmDo you know if this will work with a gluten free boxed cake mix?
Erica says
December 19, 2014 at 7:46 pmWe haven’t ever made it GF… if anyone tries it, please let us know how it turns out!
Amy K. says
October 23, 2015 at 11:01 pmI 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
January 19, 2016 at 7:34 amNot sure why but mine turned out gummy. I cooked it for 35 minutes at 350. ????
Echo says
January 23, 2016 at 10:40 pmI’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
February 23, 2016 at 3:53 pmI 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
February 25, 2016 at 7:39 amI 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
February 25, 2016 at 5:51 pmThank 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
April 15, 2016 at 10:29 amHi, can the cake be frozen?
Echo says
April 19, 2016 at 6:16 amI 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
December 21, 2016 at 12:58 pmDo you adjust the cake mix for high altitude as suggested on the box before adding the pudding?
Echo says
December 21, 2016 at 9:26 pmYes, 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
May 3, 2017 at 4:46 pmWhere 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
May 13, 2017 at 7:27 pmI’m not sure, is there something like a cooked custard?
Nono says
November 14, 2017 at 9:13 pmThis will substitute.
Karen white says
May 5, 2017 at 11:25 amCould I make this with sugar free cake mix an sugar free pudding? My husband is diabetic .
Erica says
May 5, 2017 at 7:33 pmSure! It should still be great!
sandy says
May 27, 2017 at 10:58 amto make it sugar free how much pudding do I use they don’t sell 5 oz s/f
Erica says
May 28, 2017 at 9:24 pmI’m not exactly sure what you are asking… what DO they sell s/f?
Deanna S says
July 15, 2017 at 6:28 pmCan I use a 11 x 7 inch pan? They would probably be thicker so would I cook them longer too?
Favorite Family Recipes says
July 17, 2017 at 11:18 amIt 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
August 9, 2017 at 6:06 pmThis 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
August 11, 2017 at 10:44 amThanks 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
October 21, 2017 at 2:56 pmWow! 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
October 24, 2017 at 9:13 amI’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for sharing!
Linda Tanzini says
November 26, 2017 at 1:07 pmCake 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
November 28, 2017 at 12:09 pmI’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
August 21, 2018 at 1:57 pmCould 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
August 22, 2018 at 9:34 amWe 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!
JJ says
January 21, 2019 at 5:12 pmWhere did you get whisk used in video? It looks perfect for pudding.
Favorite Family Recipes says
January 21, 2019 at 9:14 pmI 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
May 4, 2019 at 2:15 pmI’ve baked this cake multiple times. My family prefers it with peanut butter chips
Erica says
May 7, 2019 at 9:28 amThat sounds delicious! Can’t go wrong with peanut butter chips. YUM!