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
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Prep Time: 10 minutes -
Cook Time: 60 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Yield: serves 12 1x -
Category: Cake
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Method: Baking
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Cuisine: Dessert
Prep Time:
Yield:
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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
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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?
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Pretty good, not great. Could be user error, but seemed to be a lot of extra ingredients for a box cake. It was heavy and fell. I may make it again with one cup of sour cream and one cup of chocolate chips instead of two cups of each.
Instant pudding or cook type ? How long do I cook for a sheet cake pan ?
Instant pudding, as listed in the recipe ingredients 🙂 For a sheet pan between 27 – 35 minutes
Made this with a gluten free Devil’s Food cake mix and was the best ever! So moist and chocolatey! Our new favorite cake.
★★★★★
Can any of these cakes be made into cupcakes ?? Thanks
sure!
Big hit for my mom’s birthday. Making it again today for my son’s 13th, because everyone decided it was the new favorite for birthdays!
★★★★★
At eight o’clock one night, I had a taste for a chocolate cake. I google chocolate cake and found the recipe for Ridiculous Chocolate Cake. I jumped out of bed and started my journey. This is the BEST Chocolate cake I ever made. Needless to say, it’s my go-to cake for every occasion. It’s easy, moist and it stays fresh even if you freeze it. I simply love this Ridiculous Chocolate Cake. Don’t believe me, just make it.
★★★★★
Can I make cupcakes with this recipe? How plz?
★★★★★
I came across a nearly identical recipe (calls for the 5.9 oz. box of pudding mix and four eggs), and I could flat out live on this! I’ve made variation that have a cream cheese mixture in the middle, and used it for everyday layer cakes (use the same ingredients, just divided between two 8” or 9” baking pans—stick close to the recommended baking time on the box). I’ve also used white and/or white chocolate ganache, a plain sugar glaze, and even just a few sprinkles of powdered sugar as a substitute for the frosting. Tip: Don’t feel like making… Read more »
Hello, may I ask where the name and where you got the identical recipe from; I would like to make variations of this recipe . thank you.
What if I don’t have a stand mixer- just hand held without paddles? Any tips?
That will work! Just don’t overmix!
I have been making this same cake for over 40 years. It’s my all time favorite. I got the recipe from my mom. The only difference is that we use a yellow “pudding in the mix” cake mix instead of chocolate. Believe it or not, it actually makes it richer and even “more chocolate” than using a chocolate cake mix! I don’t use icing, either. It’s chocolate enough as is!!! This made me think about my sweet Momma!
★★★★★
I made cupcakes following the recipe and they rose in the oven and then collapsed when they cooled. Did I do something wrong? The flavor is great, but they look sad – nothing frosting can’t cover up – but just wondering why?
I made this cake following recipe to a tee. Took it out of oven ,it was beautiful, in about 8 minutes it had fallen flat. Why?
I just did in bundt pan too and same thing happened 🙁 At least it will still taste good. Afraid to flip over though!
Hi! I baked this cake to, it rose beautifully and when it cooled it fell! Im 80yo and been baking all my life and this is the first time this has happened, what went wrong?
Most of the time I bake from scratch, but sometimes, with the right doctoring, a box mix works great. I love this recipe. I’m a little weird, so I made some chocolate mousse and spread it over the frosting to add to the decadence, because I can’t get enough chocolate. YUM!
★★★★★
This recipe sounds absolutely delicious… do you think it would work to make it a 3 layer with round pans?
Hi. I made this twice. I didn’t have a bundt pan so I used two round pans. The first time this cake came out perfect! I was moist and I liked how the whole chocolate chips were still there and not melted in the cake. However, the second time (I used the same pans) the chocolate chips were all melted into the cake and you I didn’t bite down on them. It was still good I just prefer the chocolate not to melt. I also added some cinnamon in the batter. Made a more chocolaty taste. I’m going to try… Read more »
How long did you bake in the round cake pans? Mine are 9″ pans.
Does anyone know the time/temp for cupcakes? I want to make some for Valentine’s day for my neighbors. Can you make cupcakes from this recipe? I see the advantage to a bundt cake pan, but I have cute cupcake papers and decorations and I want to use them! Thanks for your input.