This darn good chocolate cake is a moist chocolate chocolate chip bundt cake that begins with a cake mix.
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
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.
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.
Tips
Tips- 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.
Other cakes that begin with a cake mix!
Other cakes that begin with a cake mix!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
Equipment
- Bundt Pan
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
- ½ cup warm water
- ½ 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
Pam
I have made this cake for years, everyone always loves it. I also change up the cake mix with lemon, change pudding to lemon and change chips to white chocolate chips! Another big hit! Serve with blueberry sauce, delicious!!
Kate
How fun! I haven't tried it with other flavors. Thank you for sharing that tip!
Joann Allen
Could you make this cake in a 8x13 pan instead of a bundt pan?
Kate
Hi! I haven't tried making this recipe in a different type of pan to say for certain.
Kristy Lambert
I've made this cake for over 15 years, it's so easy and very good. In my recipe it calls for applesauce in place of the oil, it's one of my favorite cake recipes .
Kate
I'm glad that you like it!
Naveen
I make these in cupcake form. Way better with a teaspoon of vanilla and chocolate cream cheese frosting!!!
Kate
Thank you! That sounds delicious!
Theresa
I made this for Easter and it was a hit!!
Kate
That's great! I'm glad that it was a hit. Thanks for commenting!
Maria
Great cake. Thanks for sharing the recipe. It was easy.
Kate
Thanks so much! =)
Samantha
Delicious cake!!!
Kate
Thanks so much!! =)