This is the most RIDICULOUS Chocolate Cake recipe I’ve ever made. It’s a seriously delicious cake, a super EASY cake, AND it’s topped with creamy chocolate frosting. Everyone goes crazy for this moist chocolate cake recipe!
The Easiest and BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe EVER!
You all know I am not opposed to using a cake mix from time to time. I, personally, look at cake mixes like any other ingredient. I don’t use them all the time, as I find making a cake from scratch is just as easy, but there are times when there is no substitute. Today is an example of that.
The base for this stupid-good cake is a chocolate cake mix. It’s not negotiable. There is a time and place for “from scratch” cakes, I totally agree, but not today. I mean, have you ever tried my Earthquake Cake?
Now that we are all on the same cake mix page, let’s talk a little more about this slice of perfection. The texture of this chocolate cake is so soft…I mean we add pudding mix, sour cream and a whole load of chocolate chips. You honestly could skip the frosting and dust it with a little powdered sugar if you feel so inclined, but since frosting-skipping is against my religion I won’t press the issue.
It’s the perfect little chocolate bundt cake to take to any party, or even whip up on a weeknight. And certainly you could make it in a sheet pan, or as a layer cake, just adjust your bake times accordingly.
Why is this the BEST chocolate cake?
The chocolate cake batter is really really easy. Please note, though, I add a box of chocolate pudding to the cake mix, so don’t buy the cake mix with pudding “in the mix”. I know this is confusing…like why couldn’t you omit the pudding and just buy the cake mix with it already added? Great question…
It’s not the same. I’ve tried it both ways and adding your own pudding mix is just BETTER. I don’t make the rules, folks.
Also add in 2 whole cups of chocolate chips to the cake. Seriously good.
Since the batter is fairly thick, the chocolate chips don’t sink at all!
The chocolate cake batter is so dreamy.
Just spread it into a heavily greased bundt pan…
And the cake is baked it will look like this…
Just invert the chocolate cake onto a cake pan and allow it to cool. OR if you aren’t frosting it (blasphemy) try it warm and die at how good it is.
But if you’re a rule follower, go ahead and make some super creamy chocolate frosting…
And spread it on top of your gorgeous chocolate cake.
AND if you’re feeling fancy add a few chocolate chips on top. I mean why not at this point!
And then EAT!
I can’t WAIT for you to try this Ridiculous Chocolate Cake recipe. It is the BEST chocolate cake and easiest chocolate cake recipe I have ever made!
Ridiculous Chocolate Cake
-
Prep Time: 10 minutes -
Cook Time: 60 minutes
-
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
-
Yield: serves 12 1x
-
Category: Cake
-
Method: Baking
-
Cuisine: Dessert
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Method:
Cuisine:
Print Recipe
PinDescription:
Ridiculous Chocolate Cake is the easiest and best chocolate cake recipe ever!
Ingredients:
Cake
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box chocolate cake mix
- 1 (3.9 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding
- 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Frosting
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Liberally grease a 10- inch bundt pan with butter or shortening and lightly dust with flour. Set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine all the cake ingredients. Mix on low for 30 seconds until combined and then on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, until the cake is set. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then invert the pan onto a cake plate. Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low speed beat the butter, cocoa powder and powdered sugar until combined. Add in the vanilla and cream and beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Frost the top of the cake and garnish with more chocolate chips if desired.
Keywords:: chocolate cake recipe, chocolate cake, cake mix, chocolate frosting
Want To Save This Recipe?
Helpful tip… Out of sour cream?
and ps… if you’re wondering if you can make Ridiculous Chocolate Cake into a Ridiculous Vanilla Cake t, the answer is YES! I did it for you… CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE!
Hi! I’m Shelly and I’m an addict. Of the buttercream sort. I started this site a few years ago as a way to justify my sugary, buttery obsession with desserts. It has worked out well for me so far, because as it turns out you guys all love sugary, buttery desserts too! It feels good to know you're not alone, doesn’t it?
Get 5 Baking Secrets That Will Change Your Life!
Shelly, if I double the cake recipe do I need to double the amount of sour cream and pudding also. Making cake now.
yes 🙂
My mom always made this cake for me growing up! It has always been my absolute favorite and now my daughter said she wants to try making it this weekend for my birthday! ❤️
★★★★★
Hope it’s as good as you remember!
I don’t have a stand mixer or paddle. Can l use a hand mixer? What speed? How long?
You can, yes. Mix it on medium-low and about the same amount of time as stated in the recipe 🙂
I don’t have a stand mixer and paddle. Can l use a hand mixer? What speed? How long?
Can butter be used instead of oil?
you can, however the cake will just be a little bit more dense.
Hi Shelly. Making this cake now For a party. Is the cake supposed to be dry when you dip a knife or toothpick in it to make sure it’s done baking? Also frosting recipe is ridiculously delicious.
★★★★★
A few moist crumbs 🙂
Can I substitute the chocolate frosting for chocolate ganache?
Sure!!
sheet – too much sugar! Article doesn’t tell you what to do in a straightforward fashion. Disappointing!
Example. If you add the pudding mix to the cake mix, do you add any additional liquid? I defy you to find where it says if you do…
You just add the dry pudding mix. No additional liquid added.
But it only needs the pudding mix…which IS clearly stated in the recipe, so the fact that it doesn’t say to add any additional liquid is because you don’t…so I’m not quite sure why you’re so disappointed when the instructions are clear.
★★★★★
Can i use the ridiculous cake recipe for cupcakes
★★★★★
yes, sure!
Recipe calls for 16 oz sour cream. But substitute is only 1 cup of yogurt etc. 16 oz seems like a lot. Is it a typo?
The substitution chart is a general guide. So if you use 1 cup of sour cream you can sub it with 1 cup yogurt. So in this case you would need 2 cups.
If you change the cake mix to a butter yellow cake you might like the cake better. Is is still chocolate good but doesn’t give u chocolate overload
I just made this cake and it is terrible! The sour cream overpowers the cake flavor. So disappointing! The entire cake is going in the trash!
The icing, however, is delicious so I’m going to use it on something else.
You were able to taste the sour cream in the cake after it was baked? I’ve never heard of that happening!
I have made this several times and its delicious and going to make it again
I’ve made this cake many many times for home and work and EVERYONE loves it! I have never had anyone say they tasted the sour cream
★★★★★
Hi! I’m curious about the pudding. It says 3.9 oz package, but I can only find a 3 oz or a 5.9 oz. Which do you use? I erred on the side of more and used the big box, but thought I would check incase using the 3 oz box makes an even more incredible cake. This is DELICIOUS and one of our new favorites! Thank you!
★★★★★
Has anyone made this cake and left out the chocolate chips? Will it still be moist? I’m making a birthday cake and it has chocolate layers and white cake layers. Not sure the chips will work. I love this recipe, just that this time I’m thinking of deleting the chips, but I don’t want to wreck it.
You can definitely leave out the chocolate chips 🙂
I never add the chocolate chips and it is still moist and delicious!!!
What kind of chocolate cake mix should I use?
Any will work. if you are looking for even more of a chocolate overload i get the dark fudge cake mix. I do only use 1 cup of sour cream some times and still turns out wonderful. I have also made with white cake and vanilla pudding and white chips.