The Sticky Wicket Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake a Proper Easy Pud

Why This Gooey Chocolate Dump Cake is Your New Best Mate

Oh my gosh, have you ever needed a proper brilliant dessert but just couldn't be bothered with the faff? Honestly, we've all been there.

When life throws you a sticky wicket, you need a comforting pud, fast! That’s why I am absolutely chuffed to share my ultimate guide to the Easy Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake .

This isn't just any old cake; it’s a delightful shortcut dessert with cake mix that promises pure, sticky indulgence.

The beauty of this recipe is that it truly is one of the best Easy Cake Desserts out there. It’s perfect if you are looking for Desserts With Few Ingredients .

I mean, we're talking about grabbing three tins and a box that's practically all the shopping done! It’s my go-to "life saver pud" when unexpected guests turn up, requiring only about 10 minutes of active prep time.

Originating from the American concept of effortless baking, the Chocolate Dump Cake is famous for its simple method. You literally ‘dump’ everything into the 9x13 pan chocolate dessert dish and let the oven do its thing.

It's an Easy Dump Cake Recipe that genuinely requires zero mixing. We’re aiming for 8 to 10 generous, smashing servings that look much fancier than the minimal effort involved.

What makes this specific version a total winner is that unbelievably molten core. The base blends rich, thick caramel with hot fudge sauce, creating a spectacular Caramel fudge dessert .

When baked, this layer transforms into a beautiful, ooey gooey, molten Gooey chocolate pudding cake . It relies heavily on the Sweetened condensed milk caramel recipe concept, making sure maximum stickiness and flavour.

Look, this isn't exactly health food, but it is excellent for the soul! It’s the perfect comfort food for a Sunday tea or when you need a proper showstopper after a dinner party without hours of baking.

And yes, it uses a Recipe Using Chocolate Cake Mix , which is our fantastic secret weapon for speed and flavour.

It’s ready to enjoy in just about 70 minutes, meaning less time washing up and more time enjoying a cuppa.

Honestly, the hardest part of making this Easy Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is waiting the suggested 15 minutes for it to cool slightly before tucking in.

Trust me, it’s worth the wait. Now, let’s get cracking and look at the few simple bits and bobs you’ll need to make this incredible dessert.

The Sticky, Gooey Foundation: Grab These Goodies

Look, if you want Easy Cake Desserts , this is your new favourite. Seriously. This isn't baking; it's assembling. It's the ultimate Shortcut dessert with cake mix .

We are making the legendary Easy Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake . I first made this when I was absolutely knackered after a long week.

I needed maximal payoff for minimal effort. And oh my gosh, it delivers the gooey goods every single time. It’s perfect for a lazy Sunday treat.

This is one of those fantastic Desserts With Few Ingredients . The quality really matters here, especially in the wet base.

Since the foundation is the whole point, try to splurge a little.

The stars are the wet stuff. You need one 14 oz (400 g) can of Sweetened condensed milk . Make sure it's the full fat stuff.

Trust me on this one. Next, grab that jar of prepared hot fudge sauce. One 12 oz (340 g) jar should do the trick.

You want a thick, dark sauce for a true Gooey chocolate pudding cake effect. I once used cheap, watery fudge and regretted everything.

Lesson learned!

Then, add one cup (240 ml) of thick caramel topping. This combines with the fudge to create that stunning Caramel fudge dessert layer.

For the top, we need the dry powder. Grab one standard box of Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (around 15.25 oz / 430 g ).

That’s our secret weapon in this Recipe Using Chocolate Cake Mix . Finally, you absolutely must have 1 1/2 sticks (170 g) of fridge cold butter.

Slice it thin. It needs to be cold!

Flavour Tweaks and Essential Salts

You don't need any fancy spices here. The flavour comes from the chocolate and caramel richness. But a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top? That’s a game changer! Salt cuts the overwhelming sweetness beautifully.

It turns this into a proper salted caramel experience.

Want a deeper flavour? Add a small spoonful of instant espresso powder to the wet base. This won't make it taste like coffee, you know? It just amps up the chocolate complexity.

This small trick makes the Chocolate Dump Cake feel so luxurious. If you skip the nuts, it’s still lush. But if you include them, pecans are my absolute go-to for that added crunch.

What Gear You Actually Need

Good news: your essential tools are minimal. You must have a 9x13 pan chocolate dessert dish. Glass or ceramic works best for even heat.

Mine is a faithful old Pyrex dish. You also need a sharp knife and a cutting board for slicing the butter evenly.

That's genuinely it. No mixer, no bowls, no fuss. It’s the easiest thing. It's truly an Easy Dump Cake Recipe .

No fuss, no muss.

Making the Magic Happen: Prep and Method for the Ultimate Easy Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake

Right then, if you’re ready for a dessert that’s guaranteed to be a smashing success without the usual kitchen faff, listen up.

This Easy Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is seriously one of the best Easy Cake Desserts you’ll ever make. It's the definition of a Desserts With Few Ingredients .

Honestly, the prep takes about ten minutes, max.

Essential Preparation (No Stress Cooking)

My biggest safety tip? Don’t rush the slicing. This is a Shortcut dessert with cake mix , so your main job is opening tins and getting organized.

First, go ahead and lightly grease your 9x13 pan chocolate dessert dish. Then, crank the oven up to 350° F ( 175° C) . This is crucial mise en place.

Now, for the absolute most important part of the Prep Steps : slice that butter. It must be fridge cold and sliced thinly, about 1/8 inch thick.

If the butter is soft, your topping will be soggy. We are aiming for crispness! I learned that the hard way.

My first attempt was an absolute sticky wicket because I used soft butter. Never again!

step-by-step Dump Cake Domination

This process is so simple it feels like cheating. You are basically building layers.

1. Lay the Base: Pour the full can of Sweetened condensed milk caramel recipe base right into the pan. Scrape out the hot fudge and the caramel topping and add those, too.
2. Swirl Gently: Use a spatula to give those wet ingredients a very gentle swirl. Don't fully combine them! We want streaks of thick chocolate and Caramel fudge dessert goodness. This creates the phenomenal Gooey chocolate pudding cake center.
3. The Dump: Grab your box of dry Chocolate Dump Cake mix. Sprinkle the entire contents evenly over the top of the wet base. This is your Recipe Using Chocolate Cake Mix layer.
4. The Golden Rule: Do not, I repeat, do not stir this dry mix into the wet layer. This is how the dump cake magic works!
5. Butter Coverage: Lay those thin, cold butter slices across the entire surface. Overlap them slightly like roof tiles. Every exposed patch of cake mix will stay powdery, so cover it all.
6. Bake Time: Slide the dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes .

Expert Tips for the Best Easy Dump Cake Recipe

Checking for doneness is key for this fantastic Easy Dump Cake Recipe . You'll know it's ready when the edges are bubbling furiously.

The topping should be deep golden brown and completely crisp. No white powdery spots should remain!

Pro Tip One: Make sure you slice that butter super thin. Thick chunks won't melt properly. The goal is for the butter to soak into and crisp the dry cake mix layer evenly.

Pro Tip Two: If you worry about the sticky bottom burning which can happen with all that sugar place the 9x13 pan chocolate dessert on a larger sheet pan during the last fifteen minutes of baking.

That insulation saves the base.

Let it cool for 15 minutes before diving in. Trust me, that rest time helps the gooey bottom set up just enough for a clean scoop.

Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, and prepare for pure joy!

The Sticky Wicket: Proper Recipe Notes for Your Easy Bake

Honestly, when you make something as ridiculously simple as this Easy Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake , you feel like you’ve cheated.

It’s the ultimate shortcut dessert with cake mix ! But trust me, the results are pure magic. This isn't just baking; it's therapy with minimal washing up.

Presenting Your Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake

This Easy Dump Cake Recipe is best served warm. The warmth keeps that thick sweetened condensed milk caramel recipe base molten and gooey just like a proper pudding.

Serving suggestion? A generous scoop of quality vanilla ice cream is non-negotiable. The hot-cold contrast is divine. Or, if you want to feel virtuous (you know, balance), add a few fresh raspberries.

The tartness cuts through the richness beautifully. Presentation wise, just scoop it out! No need for fancy slicing. It’s meant to look gloriously messy.

Handling the Leftovers (If there are any!)

The great thing about a 9x13 pan chocolate dessert is that it makes loads. But don’t worry about waste! If you have any leftovers of this incredible Caramel fudge dessert , just cover the pan tightly with cling film and stick it in the fridge.

It will keep nicely for 3 to 4 days.

Reheating is easy peasy. Scoop out your desired portion and microwave it for 30 60 seconds. Alternatively, cover the whole pan with foil and warm it in the oven at 300° F ( 150° C) for about 15 minutes.

Just a warning: when cold, that caramel base turns into a wonderfully dense, almost chewy fudge layer. Honestly, I sometimes sneak cold spoonfuls straight from the fridge.

Don't judge me.

Variations for Everyone

One of the reasons this Recipe Using Chocolate Cake Mix is so popular is how adaptable it is. If you need a quick swap, try this:

• dairy-free Delight: While the cake mix itself is often vegan friendly, the sweetened condensed milk isn't. Swap the regular condensed milk for a full can of coconut condensed milk (easily found in supermarkets now). Use plant based butter (sturdy stick variety) on top. You still get a fantastic, decadent dessert!
• Seasonal Swap: Making this in the autumn? I love adding 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dry cake mix layer before spreading the butter. It gives it a gorgeous, cosy spice depth.

Quick Nutrition Takeaway

Look, let’s be real: this is an indulgent treat. It’s one of those amazing Easy Cake Desserts meant for weekend happiness.

It’s rich in carbs and fat, but it offers serious comfort and that counts for something, right? The biggest benefit of this Chocolate Dump Cake is that it requires desserts with few ingredients and zero stress.

It’s happiness served warm.

Go on, try it! You deserve a treat that tastes this complicated but is secretly the simplest thing you’ll ever bake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crikey, why can’t I stir the cake mix in? Isn't that how proper cake is made?

Absolutely not! The whole point of a dump cake is that the dry cake mix absorbs moisture from the sauces and the melted butter as it bakes, creating a crisp, almost cobbler like topping. Stirring it in would create a dense, uncooked batter, resulting in a rather ghastly flop instead of a molten miracle.

Just sprinkle it evenly, and let the oven work its magic, like a dream.

I'm hosting a big do; can I prep this Easy Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake ahead of time, or is it best fresh?

You can certainly prep the wet base layer (the condensed milk, fudge, and caramel) and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. However, for that truly proper crisp crust, it’s best to add the dry cake mix and sliced cold butter just before baking.

Baked leftovers, covered tightly, will keep perfectly well at room temperature for up to three days, though the crust does soften a bit after the first day still a glorious treat!

My topping came out a bit soggy and powdery in places. Did I muck up the butter layer?

That powdery spot is the classic sign that the butter coverage wasn't quite spot on. The cold butter must completely cover every single patch of dry cake mix, as the fat is what hydrates and crisps the powder. If any dry mix is exposed, it won't cook properly.

Next time, try slicing the cold butter even thinner and overlapping the pieces like roof tiles it's fiddly, but totally worth the effort for a golden, crisp result.

I’ve only got vanilla cake mix in the cupboard. Can I use that instead of chocolate fudge?

You’re in luck! Using a yellow or vanilla cake mix instead of chocolate makes a fantastic pudding, offering a lovely colour and flavour contrast. This variation is brilliant because the caramel and fudge base remain the rich star, but the vanilla cake crust offers a lighter, butterscotch like vibe.

If you want to lean into the vanilla, perhaps consider adding a pinch of flaky sea salt to the base for a proper salted caramel kick.

How should I store the leftovers, and is it better served hot or cold, like a proper sticky toffee pudding?

Like any good sticky wicket, this pudding absolutely shines when served warm! The heat keeps the caramel base molten and beautifully gooey, contrasting perfectly with cold vanilla ice cream or custard.

If you’ve got leftovers, they should be stored at room temperature for up to three days or in the fridge for up to a week. To reheat, give it a quick 10-minute blast in a 300°F (150°C) oven or a moment or two in the microwave to bring back that glorious melt.