If you have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit, you’re going to adore this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe. It’s the perfect mix of rich chocolate flavor and gooey caramel bliss, baked into a warm, comforting dessert that feels like an instant hug. What makes this recipe extra special is how effortlessly it comes together—just dump, mix, and bake—and the result is a luscious cake with a wonderfully moist crumb and pockets of caramel that practically melt in your mouth. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a beloved staple for your dessert nights and celebrations alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about making this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe is how simple yet flavorful the ingredients are. Each one plays a vital role in balancing sweetness, texture, and richness, so it’s essential to grab quality staples that highlight every bite.
- Chocolate cake mix: The base of our dessert, providing a deep chocolate flavor and perfect texture with minimal effort.
- Milk: Adds moisture that helps create a tender crumb and blends the batter smoothly.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Gives a rich, buttery taste while keeping the cake beautifully moist.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add to the cake’s light structure.
- Caramel sauce: The star that brings gooey sweetness, creating those indulgent pockets of caramel throughout the cake.
- Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark): Melts just enough in the oven for extra bursts of chocolatey goodness.
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional): Perfect creamy toppings that melt over warm cake for an irresistible finish.
How to Make Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This crucial step ensures your cake won’t stick and will come out in one glorious piece, ready to impress.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, milk, melted butter, and eggs. Stir everything until smooth and well incorporated—this creates the foundation for our decadent cake.
Step 3: Add the Caramel and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the caramel sauce and chocolate chips. These ingredients bring that signature luscious richness and pockets of melted chocolate that define this recipe.
Step 4: Pour and Spread the Batter
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly. This ensures even baking and a perfectly uniform cake texture from edge to edge.
Step 5: Bake Until Perfect
Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma of chocolate and caramel filling your kitchen is a delightful bonus!
Step 6: Add a Caramel Drizzle
Once out of the oven, while the cake is still warm, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top. This final touch makes the cake ooze with sticky, sweet magic that everyone loves.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This lets it set just enough so it’s easy to slice and serve. Add whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want an extra creamy component that pairs perfectly.
How to Serve Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your serving game by topping slices with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Fresh berries or a sprinkle of sea salt can also add a fun contrast of flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
This dessert doesn’t need much alongside it, but you can pair it with a simple cup of coffee or tea to balance the sweetness or a bowl of fresh fruit to lighten the richness if you want to mix things up.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, consider serving the cake in individual ramekins with a drizzle of caramel on top, or layer slices with whipped cream and berries to create an elegant trifle. The gooey layers make it visually stunning no matter how you serve it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for about 3 to 4 days, and the flavors often deepen overnight for even better taste.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze this dump cake by wrapping it securely with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Warm individual servings in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds or gently reheat the entire cake covered with foil in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with fresh caramel drizzle or ice cream.
FAQs
Can I use homemade caramel sauce in this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade caramel sauce is a fantastic choice and can add a personalized touch to your cake’s flavor. Just be sure it’s smooth and pourable so it mixes well with the batter.
What type of chocolate chips works best?
Both semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips are wonderful here. Semi-sweet provide balanced sweetness, while dark chocolate adds an intense, slightly bitter contrast to the caramel’s sweetness.
Is this cake gluten-free?
This recipe relies on a boxed chocolate cake mix, so it depends on the mix you choose. You can use a gluten-free cake mix to make the entire dish gluten-free without compromising taste.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free caramel sauce, substitute the butter with a vegan alternative, and swap regular milk with your favorite plant-based milk. It won’t lose any of its charm.
What’s the best way to serve leftover cake?
Leftover cake tastes incredible warmed up with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream. You can also enjoy it slightly chilled if you prefer a firmer texture—the flavor is wonderful either way.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe is one of those magical desserts that’s both wonderfully easy and irresistibly delicious. It’s the kind of cake you want to make over and over again because it brings so much joy with every bite. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving some comforting sweetness, this cake hits all the right notes. So go ahead, give it a try and watch it become a fast favorite in your dessert repertoire!
Print
Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is a decadent and easy-to-make dessert combining rich chocolate cake mix with luscious caramel sauce and chocolate chips. Baked to perfection in one dish, it’s perfect for quick gatherings or a comforting sweet treat. The cake is moist and gooey with a delightful caramel drizzle, topped optionally with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Cake Mixture
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
Add-ins
- 1 cup caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
Serving Suggestions
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth and uniform batter without lumps.
- Add Caramel and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the caramel sauce and chocolate chips into the batter, ensuring an even distribution of sweet caramel goodness and melty chocolate pieces throughout the cake.
- Pour into Baking Dish: Pour the prepared batter into the greased baking dish. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly for consistent baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Drizzle Caramel: While the cake is still warm, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top for an extra layer of flavor and moisture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to enhance the dessert experience.
Notes
- Make sure the caramel sauce is smooth and pourable for easy mixing and drizzling.
- You can use dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly for easier slicing and serving.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix.
- This cake is best enjoyed warm but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
