Hot Chocolate Dump Cake

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If you love hot chocolate as much as I do, you’re going to want to make this Hot Chocolate Dump Cake!

This easy chocolate dessert combines a chocolate fudge cake mix, chocolate pudding, hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows for a cake that tastes like your favorite mug of hot chocolate.

And then we add even more marshmallows on top!

The finished cake is rich, chocolatey and wonderfully gooey, with melty marshmallows and plenty of hot cocoa flavor.

It’s the perfect easy holiday dessert, but honestly, you don’t need to wait for Christmas to make it.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Chocolate Dump Cake

There are so many reasons this easy chocolate cake is perfect for the holiday season.

It’s incredibly easy.
You start with a boxed chocolate fudge cake mix, so there’s no complicated cake batter to make from scratch.

It tastes like hot chocolate.
Hot cocoa mix, chocolate pudding and chocolate cake mix give this dessert layers of chocolate flavor.

It’s loaded with marshmallows.
Mini marshmallows are folded into the cake and added to the top after baking.

It’s perfect for chocolate lovers.
Chocolate chips add little pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cake.

It’s great for holidays.
Serve it for Christmas, Thanksgiving, holiday parties or a cozy winter dessert.

It’s easy to customize.
Add caramel, peppermint, nuts or extra chocolate to make it your own.

Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Dump Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to make this hot chocolate dump cake recipe.

• chocolate fudge instant pudding mix
• hot cocoa mix
• milk
• chocolate fudge cake mix
• mini marshmallows
• semi-sweet chocolate chips

What Kind of Cake Mix Should I Use?

I used a chocolate fudge cake mix for this recipe.

The important thing to remember is that you are using the dry cake mix as an ingredient in the recipe—you do not prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box.

You’re not adding the eggs, oil or water listed on the cake mix box.

Instead, the milk and pudding mixture provides the moisture needed for this recipe.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Dump Cake

Gooey chocolate cake topped with melting marshmallows with that great hot cocoa flavor…. what’s not to love about this cake!

Let’s get to how we make this delicious cake.

You’ll start by combining the pudding mix, one envelope of hot cocoa mix and the milk in a large bowl.

Then you’ll add the chocolate cake mix.

Now its time for 1/2 of the marshmallows.

Spread the batter into the bottom of pan.

Scatter chocolate chips on top of the cake batter.

Now it’s time to bake the cake.

Immediately sprinkle top with the rest of the marshmallows.

Right before serving sprinkle with the remaining dry hot chocolate mix.

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup or whipped cream.

Customization Tips:

Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ways to customize your Hot Chocolate Dump Cake:

• Nuts Galore: Add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for some delightful crunch.
• Minty Fresh: Incorporate a hint of mint extract into the cake mix for a refreshing twist.
• Caramel Drizzle: Pour some caramel sauce over the cake when serving for an extra layer of indulgence.

Hot Chocolate Dump Cake

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Hot Chocolate Dump Cake is a favorite for any chocolate lover! This easy chocolate cake topped with marshmallows is perfect during the holidays or anytime of year!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Serving Size 12 people

Equipment

• 9"x13" baking dish

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate fudge instant pudding mix 3.4 oz size
• 2 envolopes hot cocoa mix divided
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 box chocolate fudge cake mix I used Duncan Hines
• 4 cups mini marshmallows divided
• 11 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• chocolate syrup, for garnish
• Whipped cream, for garnish (optional)
• Chocolate chips, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 13 x 9 pan with a cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the pudding mix, one envelope of hot cocoa mix and the milk. Whisk to combine.
  
  
• Stir in the dry cake mix until moistened. Fold in half of the marshmallows (2 cups). 
  
  
• Transfer to the greased pan and spread out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cake batter.
  
  
• Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and place pan on wire rack.
  
• Immediately sprinkle the remaining marshmallows on top of the cake. Allow the cake to cool on the wire rack for one hour.
  
  
• Before serving, sprinkle the remaining envelope of hot cocoa mix on top of the cake (I used a sifter for even coverage). 
  
  
• Garnish with whipped cream and/or a drizzle of chocolate sauce or chocolate chips. ENJOY!!
  
  

Notes

Store leftovers with plastic wrap on in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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Hot Chocolate Dump Cake Toppings

This cake is delicious on its own, but toppings make it even more fun.

Try serving it with:

• Whipped cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Extra mini marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Chocolate shavings
• Crushed peppermint
• Caramel sauce
• Chopped nuts
• A dusting of powdered sugar

For Christmas, crushed peppermint would be especially delicious.

Easy Hot Chocolate Dump Cake Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cake

Add a little peppermint extract to the cake mixture or sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the finished cake.

Caramel Hot Chocolate Cake

Drizzle caramel sauce over individual servings.

The combination of caramel and chocolate is hard to beat.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Cake

Add a drizzle of melted peanut butter or serve with peanut butter chips.

Mint Chocolate Cake

Use mint chocolate chips in place of some or all of the semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Nutty Hot Chocolate Cake

Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.

Can I Make Hot Chocolate Dump Cake Ahead?

Yes.

The cake can be baked ahead of time and stored until you’re ready to serve it.

For the best presentation, I recommend waiting to add the final hot cocoa dusting and optional toppings until just before serving.

That way the top looks fresh and pretty.

Can I Serve It Warm?

Yes!

If you want that cozy hot-chocolate experience, serve a portion slightly warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The warm chocolate cake and soft marshmallows are especially delicious together.

What to Serve With Hot Chocolate Dump Cake

You really don’t need much alongside this cake.

A cup of coffee or a glass of milk would be perfect.

For an extra-indulgent dessert, serve it with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Chocolate ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Hot chocolate
• Fresh berries

A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over warm chocolate cake is especially good.

Hot Chocolate Dump Cake

If you’re a hot chocolate fan, this Hot Chocolate Dump Cake belongs on your winter baking list.

It’s rich, chocolatey and packed with marshmallows, and the best part is how easy it is to make.

Start with a box of chocolate fudge cake mix, add chocolate pudding and hot cocoa mix, fold in some marshmallows, sprinkle on chocolate chips and bake.

Then pile on more marshmallows and finish it with a dusting of hot cocoa mix.

It’s basically a mug of hot chocolate transformed into an easy chocolate cake.

And I can’t think of a better excuse to make dessert!

Other Cake Recipes

• The Simplest Apple Spice Dump Cake
• Pumpkin Pound Cake Recipe
• Chai Spiced Bundt Cake Recipe