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Home » Desserts » Darn Good Chocolate Cake

Darn Good Chocolate Cake

Posted by: Kate / Cake Recipes, Desserts / Posted: 04/06/20 / Last updated: 04/06/20

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This darn good chocolate cake is a moist chocolate chocolate chip bundt cake that begins with a cake mix.

Part of a chocolate bundt cake on a wire cooling rack

Boxed cake mixes can be a great way to get a jump on dessert. They’re also a convenient way to make dessert when foods like flour and sugar are in short supply.

This darn good chocolate cake is just that. My mom gave my this recipe years ago, and my kids absolutely love it.

This cake is a super moist chocolate chocolate chip cake that’s also very easy to make. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to mix the batter up, and then it’s ready to go!

I serve it as-is or with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. Since it’s so tasty, there’s no need for frosting with this cake.

How to make darn good chocolate cake

Chocolate cake batter in a glass mixing bowl
Add cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, warm water, and vegetable oil to a large mixing bowl. Mix until well-combined.
Fold in chocolate chips.

Chocolate cake batter in a bundt pan
Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan, smoothing the batter out as needed.
Bake, and then invert onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Darn chocolate cake on a wire cooling rackTips

  • Cake mix: You’re going to use just the powdered cake mix portion. If you don’t want to use devil’s food cake mix, you can use a similar cake mix like dark chocolate.
  • Chocolate pudding: This is just the powdered part. You don’t need to pre-make the pudding.
  • Sour cream: You can use full-fat or reduced-fat, if you prefer. However, I don’t recommend using fat-free sour cream in this recipe.
  • Vegetable oil: Feel free to use a similar oil, like canola instead.
  • Chocolate chips: You can use milk chocolate chips or dark or bittersweet chocolate chips, if you prefer.
  • Serving: I serve this cake as-is. You can also serve it with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Storing: I store the cake, covered, at room temperature for up to 4 days. This cake keeps well because it is so moist.

Darn good chocolate cake next to a serrated knifeOther cakes that begin with a cake mix!

  • Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe
  • White Raspberry Poke Cake
  • Irish Cream Bundt Cake

If you’ve tried this darn good chocolate cake recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

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Darn Good Chocolate Cake

Rich, moist chocolate cake that begins with a cake mix and pudding.
Author:I Heart Eating
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings:16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: darn good chocolate cake, doctored cake mix recipe
Part of a chocolate bundt cake on a wire cooling rack
Print Rate Pin
5 from 3 votes

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounce package plain devil's food cake mix
  • 3 ounce package instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Generously grease and flour a 12-cup bundt pan. I like to use a nonstick baking spray with flour in it.
  • Add cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, warm water, and vegetable oil to a large mixing bowl.
  • Mix on low speed for about 1 minute.
  • Increase the speed to medium, and continue to mix for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as-needed.
  • Fold in chocolate chips.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan, smoothing the batter out as needed.
  • Bake until the cake springs back when lightly pressed, about 45-55 minutes. A wooden toothpick inserted in the center may come out with melted chocolate but shouldn't have any batter on it.
  • Cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
  • Run a thin knife around the pan and invert onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Notes

  • Cake mix: You're going to use just the powdered cake mix portion. If you don't want to use devil's food cake mix, you can use a similar cake mix like dark chocolate. 
  • Chocolate pudding: This is just the powdered part. You don't need to pre-make the pudding. 
  • Sour cream: You can use full-fat or reduced-fat, if you prefer. However, I don't recommend using fat-free sour cream in this recipe. 
  • Vegetable oil: Feel free to use a similar oil, like canola instead.
  • Chocolate chips: You can use milk chocolate chips or dark or bittersweet chocolate chips, if you prefer. 
  • Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 336kcal (17%)Carbohydrates: 34g (11%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fat: 21g (32%)Saturated Fat: 12g (60%)Cholesterol: 49mg (16%)Sodium: 328mg (14%)Potassium: 233mg (7%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 21g (23%)Vitamin A: 157IU (3%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 74mg (7%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Did you make this recipe?Tag @i_heart_eating on Instagram and hashtag it #ihearteating.

 

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  1. Theresa says

    April 15, 2020 at 10:35 am

    5 stars
    I made this for Easter and it was a hit!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      April 15, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      That’s great! I’m glad that it was a hit. Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  2. Maria says

    April 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    5 stars
    Great cake. Thanks for sharing the recipe. It was easy.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      April 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

      Thanks so much! =)

      Reply
  3. Samantha says

    April 10, 2020 at 12:08 am

    5 stars
    Delicious cake!!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      April 10, 2020 at 12:09 am

      Thanks so much!! =)

      Reply

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I'm Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family's favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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