Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s easy, crazy delicious, and guaranteed to please a crowd, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe. I promise, once you try this layered, chocolaty wonder, it’ll become your go-to for whenever you want to whip up something sweet without a ton of fuss. This recipe combines crunchy Oreos, silky chocolate pudding, and that irresistible cake top—all baked into one cozy dish. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simplicity: Just five main ingredients go a long way to create something spectacular with minimal effort.
- Layered textures: Crunchy Oreos, creamy pudding, and cake topping make every bite interesting and satisfying.
- Versatility: You can easily customize it with add-ins or toppings to suit your mood or occasion.
- Crowd-pleaser: It’s a guaranteed hit whether you’re serving family, friends, or casual guests.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Let’s break down what goes into this Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe and why each ingredient plays an important role. These choices come together to offer that perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and cakey goodness.
- Oreo Cookies: Their chocolate cookie crunch adds texture and flavor that’s unbeatable, plus the creamy filling blends nicely with the pudding layer.
- Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: This thickens quickly when mixed with cold milk, creating a luscious middle layer that’s rich but light.
- Cold Milk: Needed to activate the pudding mix—cold is key for the right texture.
- Chocolate Cake Mix: This forms the cakey, crumbly top layer when baked, giving the dump cake its signature texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted and drizzled over the cake mix, butter helps it brown beautifully and adds moisture.
- Whipped Topping: Adds a light, creamy finish that balances the dense layers below.
- Mini Chocolate Chips (optional): Little bursts of melty chocolate scattered on top elevate both taste and presentation.
- Extra Oreos (optional): Perfect for garnish, these add that final cookie crunch and a cute finishing touch.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love making this Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe my own by playing with textures and extras. You really can’t go wrong here—feel free to experiment and make it yours!
- Add a Spoonful of Peanut Butter: Swirling some creamy peanut butter in with the pudding layer adds a dreamy salty-sweet contrast—I tried this at a party and it disappeared fast!
- Swap Cake Mix Flavors: Vanilla or even a red velvet cake mix works beautifully if you want a flavor twist.
- Go Nuts or Fruit: Toss in chopped pecans for crunch or even some raspberries for a fruity zip.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix and gluten-free Oreos to keep all your friends included.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This little prep ensures everything bakes evenly and nothing sticks—trust me, it saves some serious clean-up headaches.
Step 2: Spread the Oreos
Chop about 24 Oreos into rough pieces—don’t overthink it, rustic is perfect here! Spread those evenly across the bottom of your prepared dish. This crunchy base is what makes the dump cake so irresistible.
Step 3: Whisk and Pour Chocolate Pudding
In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and 2 cups of cold milk until it thickens—usually takes about 2 minutes. Pour the pudding evenly over the Oreos. The pudding layer adds that creamy dimension that contrasts wonderfully with the crunchy cookies.
Step 4: Cake Mix and Butter Go On Top
Sprinkle your dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the pudding layer. Now comes the magic—drizzle 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter over the cake mix. Cover as much surface as possible; this helps the cake mix bake into a golden, slightly crisp topping.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until the top is set, bubbly, and just a little crispy around the edges. Let it cool for about 10 minutes—this resting time lets the pudding set up perfectly and makes serving easier.
Step 6: Top and Serve
Finally, spread whipped topping over the warm cake, sprinkle mini chocolate chips, and toss a few extra Oreos on top if you want to get fancy. This step is all about that creamy finish and added texture. Serve warm or room temperature—both ways are tasty!
Pro Tips for Making Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe
- Consistent Oreo Sizes: Roughly chopping Oreos into uneven pieces makes the texture interesting—you want some bigger chunks for bite contrast and smaller crumbs to meld with the pudding.
- Don’t Skip the Butter Drizzle: It’s tempting to pour less, but the butter ensures the dry cake mix crisps up and browns nicely instead of staying powdery.
- Use Cold Milk: This helps the pudding thicken faster and hold its shape better in the layers.
- Let It Rest Before Topping: Waiting about 10 minutes after baking prevents the whipped topping from melting into the warm cake and keeps it fluffy.
How to Serve Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this dump cake with extra Oreos and mini chocolate chips, but don’t be shy about throwing on a sprinkle of crushed nuts, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, or even a few fresh raspberries for a pop of color and flavor. It makes every serving look like a little celebration.
Side Dishes
Serve this rich dessert alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream. It pairs well with simple, light sides like fresh fruit salad or a crisp green salad if you want to keep the meal balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to portion the Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe into individual mason jars or ramekins, then layer with whipped cream and toppings right before serving. It makes dessert feel personalized and fancy without extra effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers store well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually keep leftovers in the same baking dish, tightly covered with plastic wrap or foil. This helps the pudding layer stay creamy and the cake topping doesn’t dry out too much.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t my go-to for this recipe because the pudding texture can change after thawing, but if you need to, freeze in individual portions wrapped well. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and add fresh whipped topping before serving to freshen it up.
Reheating
To reheat, warm single servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. I recommend adding the whipped topping or chocolate chips fresh after reheating to keep textures on point.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant pudding mix?
While homemade pudding tastes fantastic, it won’t thicken as quickly or as firmly as instant pudding mix, which is key for this layered dump cake. If you decide to use homemade, make sure it’s very thick and fully chilled before layering to maintain structure.
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Do I have to chop the Oreos, or can I use them whole?
Chopping the Oreos helps create an even base and allows the pudding to seep between cookie bits for better texture. Whole Oreos won’t soak up the pudding as well and may make serving tricky since they’re large chunks.
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Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Absolutely! This Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe is kid-friendly and usually a huge hit at birthday parties or family gatherings. Just keep in mind it does contain butter, pudding mix, and cake mix, so check labels if anyone has allergies.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can make it vegan by swapping the pudding mix for a dairy-free alternative, using a vegan cake mix, dairy-free butter or coconut oil, and plant-based milk. The whipped topping can also be substituted with coconut whipped cream.
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How long does this dump cake keep fresh?
Stored in the fridge with a cover, the cake stays fresh for about 3 days. Beyond that, the texture and creaminess start to degrade, so it’s best enjoyed sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
I’ve made this Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe more times than I can count, and honestly, it never fails to make me smile—and impress everyone I share it with. It’s a cozy, comforting dessert that feels a little special without requiring much time or fuss. If you want a dessert recipe that feels like a hug in food form, you’ve got to try this. Trust me, once you do, you’ll be adding it to your regular rotation too!
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Oreo Dump Cake with Chocolate Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy and indulgent Oreo Dump Cake recipe combines crushed Oreo cookies, instant chocolate pudding, and chocolate cake mix for a delicious layered dessert topped with whipped topping and optional mini chocolate chips. With just 5 main ingredients and minimal prep time, it’s a perfect quick treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 24 Oreo cookies, roughly chopped
- 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- Extra Oreo cookies for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Oreos: Spread the roughly chopped Oreo cookies evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
- Prepare Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, approximately 2 minutes. Then pour the pudding evenly over the Oreo layer.
- Add Cake Mix and Butter: Sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the pudding layer. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible to ensure moistness.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the top is set and slightly crisp. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes to set.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Top the warm cake with whipped topping, sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top, and garnish with extra Oreo cookies if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- To ensure even baking, try to spread each layer uniformly in the baking dish.
- You can substitute vanilla or butterscotch pudding mix for a different flavor profile.
- Mini chocolate chips are optional but add a nice texture and extra chocolate flavor.
- For a richer topping, use homemade whipped cream instead of store-bought whipped topping.
- Letting the cake cool slightly before topping helps the whipped topping keep its shape.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
