Easy Vanilla Pudding Dump Cake
This simple dump cake is made with vanilla pudding and cake mix, so it’s an easy dessert to whip up whenever a craving strikes.
Enjoy a slice of this old-fashioned vanilla pudding dump cake warm, with chocolate chips that are melty, or let it cool completely to enjoy a simple yet sweet snack cake.
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You know those days when you need a sweet treat or an easy dessert, but you’re short on time and energy?
Those are the days when tried-and-true shortcut recipes come in handy!
This vanilla pudding dump cake recipe is perfect for whipping up at the last minute, because it only requires a handful of ingredients and just a little bit of stirring.
You don’t need any eggs or oil for this cake–it really is that simple!
The next time cake mixes or pudding mixes are on sale at the grocery store, stock up on a few and keep them in the pantry so you’ll always have what you need.
This treat is the perfect easy dessert for a potluck or bake sale, or for last-minute dinners where you’re hosting company.
Serve as-is or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
Easy Dump Cake with Vanilla Pudding
I’m not sure if this frugal recipe originated in Appalachia, but that’s where I learned to make it, so I’m claiming it. 🙂
It’s the kind of recipe your grandma would make, because she always had the ingredients on hand, and she knew everyone would enjoy it.
When you serve it warm, right out of the oven, the chocolate chips are melty, giving it a little bit of gooey sweetness. This is when a scoop of ice cream on top would really shine!
After it’s cooled completely, it becomes more like a snack cake or soft cake bars, which can be eaten as a handheld dessert if you want.
Both ways are delicious.
You can also try my lemon pudding dump cake for another flavor option!
Check out our list of instant pudding cakes for more inspiration.
More Easy Desserts Made with Pudding Mix:
- Vanilla Pudding Bundt Cake from a Mix
- Vanilla Pudding Pound Cake from Scratch
- Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
- Chocolate Pudding Brownies
- Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake from a Mix
- Easy Pistachio Bread
- Red Velvet Pound Cake from a Mix
- Easy Lemon Loaf Cake
How to Make a Vanilla Pudding Dump Cake
It’s really easy to whip up this treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- French vanilla cake mix
- Semisweet chocolate chips
- Milk
How to Make It:
Find the full printable recipe available below
Make the batter. First, you’ll add the dry pudding mix and cake mix in a mixing bowl with half of the chocolate chips. Toss to combine.
Add the milk, stirring to incorporate into a thick batter.
Bake. Next, you’ll spread the batter in a greased pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
Bake in a preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes.
Serve. You can serve this cake warm, right out of the oven, or you can let it cool completely first.
Either way, it’s delicious. Enjoy!
Notes and Adaptations
- You can omit the chocolate chips if desired, or add a different flavor of baking chips, such as butterscotch or peanut butter. You can also use chopped nuts instead.
- Some people prefer to not add the chocolate chips to the batter, but instead sprinkle them over the hot cake once it’s been baked. Then you can wait a few minutes for the chips to melt, and use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate over the cake as a frosting.
- If you can’t find French vanilla cake mix, a regular yellow cake mix will work fine.
- This cake can be served warm or cooled.
- Leftover cake can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 3-5 days.
Recommended Equipment
Vanilla Pudding Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounce instant vanilla pudding mix
- 13.25 ounce French vanilla cake mix
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
- 1 1/2 cups milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 13×9" cake pan with nonstick spray (or grease the pan with butter). Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine instant pudding mix, cake mix, and 1 cup of the chocolate chips. Whisk to combine.
- Add the milk, stirring well to incorporate into a thick batter.
- Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter with the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Serve warm for a cake-like texture with melty chocolate chips, or allow to cool completely if preferred.
Notes
- You can omit the chocolate chips if desired, or add a different flavor of baking chips, such as butterscotch or peanut butter. You can also add chopped nuts instead.
- Some people prefer to skip adding the chocolate chips to the batter, and instead sprinkle them over the freshly baked cake when it’s hot out of the oven. The heat will melt the chocolate chips, and you can use a spatula to spread the chocolate over the top of the cake like a frosting.
- If you can’t find French vanilla cake mix, a regular yellow cake mix will work fine.
- This cake can be served warm or cooled.
- Leftover cake can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 3-5 days.
Equipment
Nutrition
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This is not a dump cake…dump cakes are called that because you dump everything in a pan in layers with butter on top and the number one thing to not do is mix a dump cakes. This is choc chip cake. IMO anyway lol
I agree that it’s a bit of a misnomer, Lacy! I’m not sure how it got its name originally–maybe a “mix and dump” cake would be more accurate! 🙂