Description
Simple Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake recipe. Layer chocolate, caramel, and cake mix for an easy, gooey dessert. Pure comfort, minimal fuss!
Ingredients
- Cake Base:
- Chocolate Cake Mix (15.25 oz box)
- Unsalted Butter (1 ½ sticks, melted)
- Caramel Layer:
- Caramel Sauce (12-16 oz jar)
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (14 oz can)
- Flavor Boosters:
- Chocolate Chips (½ cup, semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- Pecan Pieces (½ cup, optional)
- Finishing Touches:
- Sea Salt Flakes (for sprinkling, optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Pan, Get Ready:: First things first, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. I usually give it a quick spray with cooking non-stick spray, just to be safe. Nothing worse than a beautiful dessert sticking to the pan, hon. While you’re at it, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is where I always forget to preheat, then I’m just staring at my ingredients, waiting. Don’t be like me!
- Layer the Caramel Goo:: Okay, now for the fun part. Pour that lovely jar of caramel sauce evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Next, open that can of sweetened condensed milk and drizzle it right over the caramel. Don’t stir it, just let it sit there in its sweet, unadulterated glory. This forms the gooey, irresistible foundation of this dessert. You’ll see it swirl a bit, and that’s totally fine, actually pretty!
- Sprinkle the Cakey Goodness:: Carefully, and I mean *carefully*, sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the caramel and condensed milk layer. Try to get it in a relatively even layer. This is where I sometimes get a little heavy-handed in one spot, creating a small “cake mountain.” It’s okay, it’ll still bake up, but an even layer helps everything cook consistently for the best results.
- Add Chocolate & Nuts:: Now, scatter those chocolate chips over the dry cake mix. If you’re using pecans, sprinkle them over too. This adds extra texture and bursts of flavor. I sometimes add a few extra chocolate chips, oops, because who can resist? This step makes sure every bite of this dessert has those delightful surprises.
- Drizzle with Butter Magic:: Finally, pour that melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the cake mix, chocolate chips, and pecans. This butter is what transforms the dry cake mix into a rich, moist topping as it bakes. Don’t miss any dry spots if you can help it! It’ll look a little messy, but trust me, it’s doing its job for this dessert.
- Bake Until Bubbly & Golden:: Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. You’re looking for the top to be lightly golden and the caramel underneath to be bubbly and gooey around the edges. A little wiggle is fine; it’ll set more as it cools. The whole kitchen will smell incredible, that’s how you know your dessert is almost ready! Let it cool a bit before serving.