If you are craving a dessert that combines rich chocolatey goodness with the smooth, buttery sweetness of caramel, then this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s the kind of treat that feels homemade without the fuss — just a handful of ingredients, a few simple steps, and you get a luscious, comforting cake that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. This recipe brings together a moist chocolate cake base soaked in a blend of caramel and sweetened condensed milk, topped with melty chocolate chips and crunchy nuts for an irresistible texture experience. Whether you’re a baking beginner or a seasoned pro looking for a last-minute dessert, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward and accessible ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating a moist, flavorful dessert with a beautiful balance of sweetness and texture.
- Chocolate cake mix: This forms the base, providing that rich, familiar chocolate flavor and a light, airy crumb.
- Caramel sauce: Adds a velvety sweetness and a hint of buttery richness that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Ensures the cake bakes with a moist, tender texture and beautifully golden top.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Offers creamy sweetness that soaks into the cake mix, making every bite luscious.
- Chocolate chips: Sprinkle these on top to add pockets of melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Chopped nuts (optional): For a delightful crunch and a nutty contrast to the smooth layers.
How to Make Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures the cake doesn’t stick and comes out easily in perfect slices. Getting this step right sets the stage for a smooth baking process.
Step 2: Spread the Chocolate Cake Mix
Pour the entire box of chocolate cake mix evenly into the greased baking dish. Don’t add any liquids yet — just spread the dry mix flat so that every scoop of caramel and condensed milk can seep down to infuse the cake as it bakes.
Step 3: Drizzle Caramel Sauce and Sweetened Condensed Milk
Gently spoon the caramel sauce over the dry cake mix, allowing it to dot the surface. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly on top as well. These two ingredients will mingle during baking to create that gooey, decadent layer that makes this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe truly special.
Step 4: Add Melted Butter
Slowly pour the melted unsalted butter over the entire cake mixture. Aim to coat the top evenly — this butter will help the cake bake up golden and give the crumb a moist, tender quality.
Step 5: Top with Chocolate Chips and Nuts
Sprinkle the chocolate chips and chopped nuts across the surface. The chocolate chips melt into pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the cake, while the nuts provide delightful crunch. The nuts are optional, but highly recommended for added texture.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You want to wait until the top is a deep golden brown and the edges are bubbling slightly—this signals that all the layers have melded beautifully together.
Step 7: Cool Slightly Before Serving
Once out of the oven, allow your cake to cool for a few minutes. This helps the gooey layers set just enough so you can serve clean slices that still ooze with chocolate and caramel delight.
How to Serve Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of indulgence, serve your Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt can also elevate the caramel’s sweetness, adding a sophisticated balance.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries or a simple fruit compote to cut through the richness. A hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk also complements the deep chocolate and caramel flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve this dump cake in mini mason jars layered with ice cream or pudding for an elegant yet rustic presentation. You can also portion it into individual ramekins right out of the oven for a cozy, personalized dessert experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, keep it refrigerated where it will stay fresh for about 5 days without losing its tender texture.
Freezing
This cake freezes well. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Warm leftovers gently in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds or in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness and melty caramel charm.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While the chocolate cake mix is key to the rich, chocolatey foundation of this recipe, you can experiment with other flavors like yellow or spice cake for a twist. Just keep in mind it will change the overall flavor profile.
Do I have to use sweetened condensed milk?
The sweetened condensed milk is what gives the cake its signature gooey, sweet texture. Skipping it would alter the moisture level and caramel effect, so it’s best to include it for that authentic dump cake experience.
Is it possible to make this cake nut-free?
Yes! Simply leave out the chopped nuts for a nut-free dessert. It will still have plenty of texture from the cake mix and chocolate chips, making it perfect for those with nut allergies.
Can I prepare this recipe in smaller portions?
You can halve the ingredients and bake the cake in an 8×8-inch pan. Just keep an eye on the baking time since smaller cakes may bake a bit faster—start checking around 25 minutes.
What if I don’t have caramel sauce on hand?
If you don’t have ready-made caramel sauce, you can quickly make a simple caramel by melting brown sugar and butter together on the stove. Alternatively, butterscotch or dulce de leche can be fun substitutes with a similar sweet, creamy profile.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dessert that checks all the boxes—easy to make, brilliantly flavorful, and sure to impress—this Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe is just the ticket. It’s one of those wonderful treats that feels like a warm hug on a plate, ready to bring people together over every forkful. So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy an irresistibly rich and gooey cake that nobody will believe came together so effortlessly.
Print
Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A deliciously rich and indulgent Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake that combines the ease of a dump-and-bake method with the irresistible flavors of chocolate and caramel, topped with melty chocolate chips and optional nuts for extra crunch. Perfect for a quick and impressive dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
Wet Ingredients & Toppings
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Spread Cake Mix: Pour the entire box of chocolate cake mix evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out for uniform baking.
- Add Caramel and Condensed Milk: Drizzle one cup of caramel sauce and the entire can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top of the dry cake mix, allowing the flavors to meld during baking.
- Pour Melted Butter: Evenly pour half a cup of melted unsalted butter over the mixture, which will create a moist and rich texture as it bakes.
- Top with Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Sprinkle half a cup of chocolate chips and optionally a quarter cup of chopped nuts on top to add texture and extra chocolatey goodness.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown, bubbly, and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly after baking to set before slicing and serving for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- You can substitute the caramel sauce with butterscotch sauce for a different flavor twist.
- Use any variety of nuts such as pecans or walnuts, or omit them for a nut-free option.
- For an extra indulgent touch, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Make sure to grease the baking dish well to avoid sticking since this is a dump cake.
