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
Description
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.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 545
- Sugar: 51.9 g
- Sodium: 363.3 mg
- Fat: 27.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 75.1 g
- Protein: 7.2 g
- Cholesterol: 65.3 mg
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!
I have made this so many times and it always turns out great. I have made it as is, and also made changes and no matter how I make it, it is a no fail, always fabulous recipe. My favorite rendition is to sub real butter in place or the oil & milk for the water. I have made it with the icing it calls for which is really good, but my family prefers it with a white icing (cream cheese, butter, vanilla, & powered sugar). Everyone always asks me to make them this cake for their birthdays and I don’t mind a bit because it is so simple. I do prefer it made in the bundt pan, when I have made it in other pans I feel the edges can dry out quicker. This is seriously the most flavorful and moist chocolate cake you will ever experience. Try it!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed and thank you for sharing your adaptations!
Can this cake be baked in a 9×13 pan? If so would the bake time change or stay the same?
Dif you bake it in a 9×13 in pan? What adjustments did you make and how did they turn out?
Freaking Fabulous!!!
Tried this recipe for the first time, just used 1/2 a Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate bar chopped for the batter and used the other half for topping along with mini oreos and mini chips ahoy, OMG it was indescribable! It’s a keeper! I doubled the frosting. Too much is better than not enough 🙂 Family raved and birthday dude took the cake away lol!
★★★★★
Haha! Agree too much frosting is never a problem!
I have done a variation of this for many years but I add coffee. Warning—it is not for migrainers!
I found this recipe in 2017 and have been making it ever since. It’s a family fave and the only chocolate cake my grown son likes! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Love hearing this and thank you for the review!
Great cake. Moist and very chocolate. I loved it, however my entire family said it was too much chocolate. No one wanted seconds or to take it home.
★★★★★