Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake – Gooey, Rich & Effortless

This Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is a decadent, gooey dessert made by layering simple ingredients right in the baking dish—no mixing bowl needed. It’s rich, melty, and perfect for parties, potlucks, or a comforting treat at home.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Made in one pan with almost no prep
• Ultra-gooey layers of chocolate and caramel
• Perfect for serving a crowd
• Beginner-friendly and hard to mess up
• Customizable with extra toppings or mix-ins

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Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour
Yield: About 12 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: One-pan baking
Diet: Vegetarian

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Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (about 15 oz)
• 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (about 3.9 oz)
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 11 oz soft caramel candies (or thick caramel sauce)
• Optional: flaky sea salt, extra butter slices

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Add Butter & Cake Mix
Pour melted butter into the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top.

3. Add Pudding & Milk
Sprinkle the dry pudding mix over the cake mix. Pour the milk evenly across the surface.

4. Add Chocolate & Caramel
Top with chocolate chips. Scatter caramel candies or drizzle caramel sauce over the entire pan. Add butter slices on top if desired.

5. Bake
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the edges are set and bubbling but the center remains soft and gooey.

6. Cool Slightly & Serve
Let sit for 5–10 minutes before scooping. Serve warm for the best texture.

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You Must Know

• The center should stay gooey—that’s the signature texture.
• Some dry spots can occur; they usually hydrate during baking.
• Caramel melts into pockets of sweet goo throughout the cake.
• Best served warm, but also great reheated.

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Storage Tips

• Store covered at room temperature for 1–2 days.
• Refrigerate up to 4 days.
• Reheat individual pieces in the microwave for 15–20 seconds for melty texture.

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Ingredient Substitutions

• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
• Swap caramel candies for caramel sauce to make layering easier.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
• Replace milk with half-and-half for extra richness.

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle extra caramel or chocolate sauce on top.
• Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty finish.

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Pro Tips

• Use a metal baking pan for quicker, more even heating.
• Do not overbake—the gooey center is key.
• If the caramel hardens after chilling, simply warm it before serving.

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Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is pure comfort—warm, gooey, chocolatey, and incredibly easy. It’s the perfect dessert when you want maximum flavor with minimal effort.

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