Mrs. Dill’s Chocolate Cake
Two days after we came home from the hospital with Joseph, my grandparents came to visit and meet their very first great-grandchild. My grandma brought us a chocolate cake and after days of ice chips and hospital food, it more than hit the spot. As far as desserts go, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake rank right up there as the utmost in comfort sweets. My grandma told me that it was a really simple recipe and that she had received it back when my dad and his brothers were in elementary school. I continue to have a huge soft spot for old, nostalgic recipes (hello, wacky cake!), and this one was no different.
This cake is super simple to make – you prepare a large box of cook and serve pudding, let it cool to room temperature, then stir in a box of chocolate cake mix. Pour it into a pan, then top with chocolate chips and chopped nuts, and bake. You know what a nut I am for frosting, so the fact that I love, love, love this cake without any frosting is a testament to how fantastic it is. Topping with chocolate chips might sound crazy, but it just flat-out works here.
I usually go all-out and make an elaborate cake for my birthday every year (see here, here and here); however, it was midday yesterday when I realized that my birthday was a day away and I hadn’t even thought about a cake. My brain has instead been consumed with tracking poopy diapers, calming a fussy baby after shots, and soaking in as many wide-mouthed smiles as I can every single day.
I made this cake over the weekend, but it seems like a perfect one to share today as I usher in 35 with shifting priorities and a new appreciation for simplicity and all the good things in life :)
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One year ago: Peanut Butter Cup Overload Cake
Two years ago: Six-Layer Chocolate Cake with Toasted Marshmallow Filling & Malted Chocolate Frosting
Four years ago: Tiramisu Cupcakes
Five years ago: Peanut Butter-Fudge Cheesecake
Seven years ago: Caramel-Topped Flan
Mrs. Dill’s Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 5 ounce (141.75 g) box cook and serve chocolate pudding mix (do NOT use instant!)
- 3 cups (732 ml) milk, whole or 2%
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 12 ounces (340.2 g) semisweet chocolate chips, (2 cups)
- ½ cup (58.5 g) chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Combine the chocolate pudding mix and the milk in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and bubbles are just beginning to form.
- Remove from the heat and pour the pudding into a large mixing bowl. Press wax paper against the surface of the pudding and cool to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Remove the wax paper from the pudding and give it a stir. Add the chocolate cake mix to the bowl and stir to combine, ensuring there are no pockets of dry ingredients. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top with the chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Hi Michelle, could chocolate milk be used for this recipe?
Hi Jennifer, I don’t think I would just because it would alter the sugar content.
Since they have reduced the amount in a regular cake mix I am wondering if you had to adjust this recipe?
I made this recipe for first time back in 1975 or around that time frame. I was selling Beeline clothing and the manager had this for dessert at her meeting…along with bugles and cool whip. How is that for a memory of my past. I asked for the recipe….took me two attempts but finally she caved. I use only 2 cups of milk in the cook n serve pudding and as soon as it boils I pour into the dry cake mix. I also use half pecans., milk chocolate, semi sweet morsels and butterscotch. It is so very, very delish. I never did find the original recipe ….did your Grandmother know where this originated? This is one of the best one will ever make.
Anyone else have an issue with the center not cooking in 30 mins? Is it something I did. Suggestions for next time?
Thanks.
Libby
That would be me! I left the cake in the oven an extra 20 minutes and the toothpick never came out clean. I took it out of the oven. It is still cooling, so we will see how it works out.
I just wanted to say thank you for posting this recipe. It was a summer picnic favorite growing up. I remembered it was an easy recipe to make but didn’t know it exactly. My Mom has passed away so I was sure I would not find it again. I googled what I remembered about it and your recipe came up! It was even more delicious than I remembered. I am very happy to have found your site and have a list of recipes to try.
Awww I’m so glad you found your way here and that the cake brought back great memories!
Gooey deliciousness! So easy to prepare, everyone enjoyed it:-). This is my new go to recipe when we crave chocolate! Thank you so much for sharing this it is a home run in our home!
This is great! I’ve made it twice to rave reviews. The first time I used 2 8×8 square pans and topped one with pecans and one with coconut (due to nut allergies). Because they were both so good, the next time I used a 9×13 pan and again topped half with pecans and coconut. Next time, I’m going to try a butter pecan cake mix with butterscotch pudding and butterscotch chips on top!
Some of the best recipes are the easiest! Combining chocolate cake mix with pudding is an easy way to make a cake extra-moist. Chocolate chips make an effective alternative to icing.
If I wanted to make this in a LOAF form, could I? How should I adjust the baking time, if at all.
I’d love to send it to my chocolate loving son who’s away at college as a surprise from home.
Thanks.
Hi Christine, I’m honestly not sure, I have not tried that. I’m not sure if it would be better to try one large loaf or split it into two. You might just need to do a test run or two!
MIchelle, I was scouring the interwebs for a good (and easy) chocolate cake for my boss’ birthday. I found this one and knew I loved your recipes so gave it a whirl. He’s a huge chocoholic so I modified….made the cake as directed but left off the chocolate chips. After the cake cooled I frosted with a fudge frosting and then sprinkled chocolate chips over the top. He LOVED it. I have to say I was skeptical because it is made in a way I’ve never attempted before, but I was more than pleasantly surprised. I will definitely be making it again and am already dreaming of different versions….lemon pudding with lemon cake mix and a cream cheese frosting???? hmmmmm….. :) Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes. I made Mrs. Dill Chocolate Cake and my husband (who is NOT a chocolate fan) and I, who LOVES chocolate thought it was the most wonderful cake EVER!!!
Happy Belated Birthday!
I’m going to have to make this for my dad for his birthday in June. He’s sure to love it. He’s a firm believer of a thick coating of chocolate frosting on brownies (I prefer powdered sugar) so this should go over big with him.
Just checking – why can’t you use instant pudding? Does it effect the texture of the cake?
Hi Lisa, I used it the first time and it didn’t turn out at all (the final product was the consistency of sludge), and my grandma specified that it HAD to be cook and serve pudding.
My mother’s recipe also called for cooked pudding which I always used . That is til one day I realized all i had was instant and as far as we could tell it looked and tasted the same as with cooked pudding. Also when testing for cake to see if it is done be careful not to hit a chocolate chip with tester or you will think the cake is still not done.
Holy moly! Is this sinful or what! You are just so incredibly talented!
Is it ok to use a cake mix with pudding in the mix? It’s so hard to find a mix without the pudding.
Hi Susan, Yes, I think that would be fine.
Happy Birthday!! I remember my 1st birthday as a mama, so different in so many ways – enjoy it!! :)
Happy Birthday, Michelle!! Many more!
I did not realize you are the same age I was when we had our first child. An “older” mother for my time but not for you! Believe me, this child & future ones (?) will keep you young & full of life. God bless!!
Happy Birthday! I had my first son at 35, so know the fatigue!! Enjoy your little guy — and a super day!
My family has always made this cake with 2 cups milk, 1 box instant pudding, 1 cake mix, and then how ever many chocolate chips and pecan halves you want on top. After it comes out of the oven. We sprinkle some white sugar across the top to make it pretty. It is awesome and even better after sitting overnight.