We may earn a commission when you click on the affiliate links in this post.
This easy Chocolate Pudding Cake recipe is made with only 4 ingredients. It bakes into the coziest, richest chocolate cake—no frosting needed. If you’re looking for an easy chocolate cake recipe that everyone will love, this one is it!
Easy, Delicious, and Perfect for Entertaining
I got this recipe at a women’s retreat many years ago and it has been a favorite ever since. This cake is a perfect dessert for 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. I like to serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
🩷 Echo
Rave Reviews from Readers Who Tried It
My grandmother used to make this cake for our Sunday family dinner nights. It was my absolute favorite and still is. My grandmother would never share the recipe. I have to say how happy I am to have it back in my dessert rotation. – Callen
This is a SUPER recipe! Easy smeasy. Oh so tasty and moist. Whoever thought this one up deserves an award. – Sandy
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! – Jeff
Table of Contents
Ingredients
This decadent chocolate cake comes together with just four ingredients! See recipe card below for amounts and instructions. Here’s all you need:
- Devil’s Food Cake Mix: You’re just going to use the dry mix. Don’t make the cake according to the box directions. Don’t have a cake mix handy? You can use 3 ⅓ cups of our homemade cake mix for this recipe with 9 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
- Chocolate Pudding (Cook & Serve): The good old fashioned pudding mix – the cook and serve, NOT instant.
- Milk: This makes the cake batter more creamy and rich. Use any kind of milk you have on hand.
- Chocolate Chips: I like semi-sweet chocolate chips but you can add any kind you like. One reader said they love to make this cake with peanut butter chips.
No Frosting Necessary
What I love most about this cake is that you don’t need to frost it. The amount of pudding used in the recipe makes the cake so rich, moist, and delicious, that you can eat it as is. You can also simply add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. During the holidays, I love to serve this cake with a scoop of peppermint ice cream or with a big mug of hot cocoa!
How to Make Chocolate Pudding Cake
- In a saucepan, whisk the dry pudding mix and milk together. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Fold the cooked pudding mixture into the dry chocolate cake mix from the box in a large bowl.
- Pour the cake batter into a 9×13 baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips and Variations
This chocolate pudding cake recipe is perfect just as it is, but you can also dress it up depending on when you’re planning to serve it.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Drizzle hot fudge sauce over the top.
- Dust lightly with some unsweetened cocoa powder for garnish.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter for an extra rich flavor.
- For a thicker cake, bake in a square baking pan instead of a rectangle.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer to serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The warm, gooey texture is incredibly good. It can also be served cold, but you can warm the leftovers in the microwave if you prefer.
Yes—this recipe relies on stovetop-cooked pudding mixed into the batter. Cooking the pudding first ensures a moist, rich texture throughout.
Yes, this pudding cake can easily be made as a lemon pudding cake, a banana pudding cake, or a vanilla pudding cake. Simply swap out the chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding mix for the flavors you want to make.
For the topping use vanilla or white chocolate chips instead of chocolate chips. Another option is to bake the cake without melting flavored chips on top, and instead add fresh berries to the top after it’s cooked.
Yes. Store leftover pieces of cake in an airtight container in the fridge. It also keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake in the fridge for a day before serving.
Yes! All you need to do is use a gluten free cake mix instead of a regular cake mix.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes
📍I hope you love this easy Chocolate Pudding Cake as much as I do! It’s simple, rich, and always a hit. If you try it, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. I’d love to hear what you think!
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 box Devil’s Food cake mix, dry
- 5 ounces chocolate pudding mix, cook and serve, not instant
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gather your ingredients.
- 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 9×13 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.
Notes
- Keep leftovers covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- You can use any flavor of chips on top – dark or milk chocolate chips, vanilla chips, peanut butter chips, etc.
- Pecans or walnuts can be mixed in with the chocolate chips to garnish the top of the cake.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe?
We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.
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.
- 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!
- Coca-Cola Cake – This Coca-Cola Cake is a moist, chocolatey dessert flavored with the popular, fizzy, soft drink. Topped with frosting and maraschino cherries.
Love this and will be my to go to recipe. Thank you. I would like to have it mailed to me if you can do so.
You can save it by clicking the heart on the recipe.
Loved how easy this was! I replaced the chips with Andes chocolate mint bars and sprinkled peppermint canes I crushed in the food processor. It was devoured!!
Yum, I will have to try that! You would love our Andes mint cookies too.
I followed the directions to the tee but it came out with the oddest texture. The reviews made it sound so yummy. I checked the directions 3xs to see if I missed something. I did see someone talking about a mixer
I folded it as the directions said
It would be such an easy cake if it turned out right
Did anyone else have a problem with the texture
Because it is a pudding cake, it does have a more pudding-like texture – more moist and dense than a regular cake. It is best enjoyed warm.
When I was a kid there was a mix called Pie-O-My pudding cake. This is the closest I’ve found to that nostalgic cake and I really enjoyed it.
I am so glad this recipe brought back such great memories for you! I have never heard of Pie-Oh-My but it sounds like a fun mix!
When I made this before it was perfect. This time the pudding didn’t seem right as I was cooking it, and by mistake I’d used instant. Still, I forged ahead, so it’ll be interesting. In the oven now…I used M&M peanut butter candies on top rather than chocolate chips. Hopefully still edible, but maybe not. Next time I’ll pay attention, but meantime thank you for this wonderful dessert!
How did it turn out for you, Linda? Hopefully it was still good using instant pudding.
A bit messier with the instant pudding, but I’m making it again using the cooked pudding and in either case, it tastes superb! Planning to add some mini marshmallows to the batter and maybe some nuts…with Rocky Road ice cream to top it off!
My grandmother used to make this cake for our Sunday family dinner nights. I was my absolute favorite and still is. My grandmother would never share the recipe. I have to say how happy I am to have it back in my dessert rotation.
So glad you liked it! How funny she wouldn’t share the recipe, recipes are for sharing! Please share this recipe with anyone you would like 🙂
Best dessert I ever made!!!
Wow! So glad you liked this so much. It is a winner every time we make it too!
This is a SUPER recipe! Easy smeashy. Oh so tasty and moist.
Whoever thought this one up deserves an award.
Why can’t you use instant pudding for this recipe?
If you use instant it may not set up right. Hope this helps!
This is so good, have been making it for years, also. Along with the chocolate chips, we also add walnuts and coconut. When it comes out of the oven we drizzle it with a powdered sugar and milk glaze. Every time we make it someone always asks for the recipe.
Is the cake mix 18 oz or 15 oz box.
15 ounce!
I think the box sizes have shrunk to 13.25 ounces. My cake looks more like pudding than cake.
UGH, shrinkflation is a real thing! So frustrating!
I added 3 tablespoons of flour to the cake batter to make up for the missing 1.75oz
Sounds good and so easy!
Has anyone tried this with a gluten-free box chocolate cake mix?? I want to make this for my daughter’s birthday next week but I need it to be gluten-free so the whole family can enjoy.
I have and it turns out just as amazing! I have used two different brands, King Arthur and Krusteaz. You can’t tell it’s gluten free and my family that needs gluten free love it and everyone else too.
Why does the equipment list require a “Hand Mixer”?
A hand mixer is convenient for mixing the ingredients, but you can make it without it!
Can we mix the ingredients and pour in the pan but bake it later that day?
I think that would be fine!
4 ingredients, a measuring cup, a baking pan, 20 min prep, 25 min writing up a glowing review while it bakes in the convection oven. My second time so I can honestly rate this as an “Oh my god, amazing”, while this one is still baking.👌😘❤🤗😋
I haven’t made it yet, so can’t rate it. I do have a question, can I make this ahead of time and put it in the fridge until my guests arrive so that I can serve it warm?
That should be fine!
Any high altitude (9500 ft) adjustments need to be made?
Great question! This recipe is usually the same in all altitude locations. Enjoy your cake!
I’ve been making a version of this cake since the early 70s and it was old when it was passed down to me. Instead of chocolate cake mix, I use yellow cake mix with pudding in it. Then stir in cooked chocolate pudding and add chocolate chips and chopped pecans on the top. It’s gooey when done. Toothpick test to test doneness does NOT work. If it passes the toothpick test, it’s over baked. Can be served with vanilla ice cream or a cold glass of milk.
This cake recipe was one I grew up on. My mom used to call it Chocolate Lunchbox Cake, because she would take each slice and slice it horizontally, then put the bottom on the top and wrap in plastic wrap to put in our lunchboxes . This was so the chocolate chips would not stick to the plastic. It was the best cake. I am in my 60’s now and I can still remember the taste. Thanks for the memories!
This is by far the best cake I have ever eaten. I might try it with vanilla pudding and a lemon or orange cake mix with white chocolate chips and see how that turns out
Do u still add the cake mix ingredients, like eggs and oil before you add the cooked pudding?
No, you don’t add the ingredients on the cake box, just the ingredients in the recipe!
Hi my mom has made this for as long as I can remember she got it out of the old Betty crocker Cookbook we add walnuts with the chocolate chips I don’t have cook and serve pudding so going to try instant hopefully it still turns out. I have never thought to do other cakes with other chips that’s an awesome idea thanks. If it turns out I will post update
This cake is delicious! I love the simple ingredients. Instead of chocolate chips I used reeces pieces in miniature Reeces cups. Since there’s no egg in it I actually under baked it just a little bit to to make it extra gooey
Can this recipe be baked in a bundt pan and for how long? Thank YOU.
We haven’t tried it that way, but let us know how it turns out if you try it!
Made it for the first time yesterday ! So easy and very delicious! Should this stored in the refrigerator?
You can store it in the fridge, or just in an airtight container on the counter!
Holy cow, this cake is to die for! Love all the chocolate chips on top!
This cake couldn’t be any easier to make! I love chocolate cake & this is so moist & gooey!
This cake is dangerously good! So rich and chocolatey, totally fabulous!
This was a favorite recipe growing up- my parents got it in the late 70s from a co-worker of my mother’s, she called it Rickie Dickie cake. Only difference is we’d top with half butterscotch and half chocolate chips and always serve with a scope of vanilla ice cream. Just brought me back to my childhood!
We also have made this cake from the beginning of time. I am SO mixing up the chips next time. Sounds great. We also do a butterscotch version with butterscotch chips, butterscotch pudding and white or yellow cake. Amazing!
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!
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!
Super easy to make, DEEEE-licious to eat. A winner all around!
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
I’ve baked this cake multiple times. My family prefers it with peanut butter chips
That sounds delicious! Can’t go wrong with peanut butter chips. YUM!
I didn’t even know there was such a thing! That sounds fantastic!!
Where did you get whisk used in video? It looks perfect for pudding.
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.
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
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!
Can I make these into cupcakes, & just lower the cooking time?
We haven’t tried it that way, but it sounds delicious! Let us know how it goes if you try it!
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
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.
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!
I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for sharing!
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
You just need the cooked pudding! That’s the great thing about this cake!
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!
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?
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?
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.
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?
This will substitute.
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!
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!
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.
Pkg sizes vary now, so I buy three 3.5 oz. Pkg’s and weigh out 5 oz on my kitchen scale save the rest and make another cake in the near future!
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 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!
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!
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!
Nice and easy. Thank you.
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!
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! 😀
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 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!
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!!
I’m so glad you liked it, I’ll have to try the chocolate glaze!
Can I use can pudding in this
No, it needs to be the powdered kind.