These Duncan Hines Hack Results in the Most Irresistible Chocolate Cake

Irresistible Chocolate Cake: Duncan Hines Hack

Bake this Duncan Hines “dump cake” chocolate cake and you’ll be the most popular neighbor on the block.

This is the favorite cake of all the block kids and among all of my friends who come over on Shabbos. This type of cake is called a “dump cake” because it starts with a Duncan Hines mix, but then other ingredients are added to heighten the flavors.

Chocolate pudding, chocolate liquor, coffee, it’s all in there. And it’s amazing. I bake it all the time and often top it with ganache. Make it now and memorize the recipe because it’s easy and delicious!

Mix all ingredients together except for chocolate chips.

After thoroughly mixed,

stir in chocolate chips.

Pour into greased bundt pan.

Bake for 55-60 minutes.

These Duncan Hines Hack Results in the Most Irresistible Chocolate Cake
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4.67 from 6 votes

Duncan Hines Hack Irresistible Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 1 box Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake Mix
  • 1 box instant chocolate pudding
  • ½ cup brewed coffee (1 tsp instant coffee in ½ cup hot water)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup Tofutti sour cream or mayonnaise
  • ½ cup oil
  • ½ cup dark rum or any liqueur of your choice
  • 2 cups chocolate chips

Chocolate Ganache:

  • 1 (8 ounce) container Rich’s Whip
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Mix all ingredients together except for chocolate chips. After thoroughly mixed, stir in chocolate chips.
  • Pour into greased bundt pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the ganache. Warm the whipped topping in a saucepan or microwave. Place chocolate chips in a bowl. Pour hot whipped topping over chocolate chips and wait a minute to allow the chocolate chips to melt. Mix until smooth. Pour over cooled cake.
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Editor’s note: this recipe was passed from friend to friend and back again until we decided we had to share it with all of our Between Carpools friends.

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Malkie Hirsch

Malkie Hirsch is a food writer, cook, and baker that resides in Woodmere with her husband and 5 children. Her mission in life is to find foods, besides eggs and pizza, that her impossibly picky 10-year-old Dovid would consider eating. She’s still packing chicken nuggets for him before Shabbos sleepovers. Follow her on Instagram @kissthekoshercook.

63 responses to “Irresistible Chocolate Cake: Duncan Hines Hack”

  1. gitty Avatar
    gitty

    what can I substitute the cake mix with

  2. Dodi Avatar
    Dodi

    I baked this recipe in 2 eight-inch cake pans that I baked for 37 minutes. I don’t own or have room for a bundt pan and thought this information might help someone else. 🙂

    1. Millie Avatar
      Millie

      Thank you I love this cake and wanted to do a layer cake with frosting. For a very special Birthday .Im so thankful for you sharing this with us.. Millie

    2. Carol Avatar
      Carol

      I was just wondering this!!

    3. Rebecca Avatar
      Rebecca

      Thank you, Dodi. I was wondering if I had to use a bundt pan.

  3. B Avatar
    B

    Does this cake freeze well? Thanks ????

    1. Leah Schapira Avatar
      Leah Schapira

      Yes

  4. ab Avatar
    ab

    can i omit liquor?

    1. Leah Schapira Avatar
      Leah Schapira

      Yes

  5. Shelley Avatar
    Shelley

    How long do you heat the whipped topping in the microwave?

  6. Mira Avatar
    Mira

    I have been making this recipe for 13 years, at least!! I got it from Aish.com and the credit there is to an “Elizabeth”. It’s beyond delish. I’m glad it’s being shared here, it def deserves its viral moment! Thanks Btwn carpools and Elizabeth, whoever you’re are!

    If I may also share the original glaze as an alternate to the ganache, it’s an alternative super yummy topping:

    1 lb powdered sugar
    1⁄3 cup cocoa
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    3tablespoons margarine or 3 tablespoons butter
    1⁄3 cup brewed coffee

    Cream all ingredients to gather and pour on cooked cake.

    1. Mira Avatar
      Mira

      *pour glaze on COOLED, not “cooked” cake

    2. Teri Avatar
      Teri

      This Alternate “glaze” came out to be nothing but a thick Frosting. Make a real ganache out of 1:1 heavy cream & semi-sweet chocolate!

      1. Franny Avatar
        Franny

        Yes! Real ganache is the way to go!

    3. Shira Leah Avatar
      Shira Leah

      Your glaze is amazing! Thanks for sharing the original glaze recipe Mira. Love the cake, having the alternative glaze lets me make it more often. In general, it’s great to have another dairy free glaze option for Shabbos. Thanks!

    4. Diane Avatar
      Diane

      5 stars
      I love making and eating ganache but I also love the idea of another option to try. Thanks for sharing it with us Mira.

  7. Kayla Avatar
    Kayla

    Omg! I made this recipe with amaretto and oh my lord!!! This is one of the best chocolate cakes I’ve ever made! I love this recipe. It’s not complicated at all. I made this into mini cupcakes, I had my family try them before I put frosting on them to find out how they tasted. We decided to keep them naked because they are sooo moist and the chocolate chips really help too. I love love love this recipe.

    1. Robin Avatar
      Robin

      How much amaretto did you add?

  8. StacyG Avatar
    StacyG

    Can I use regular sour cream in the cake? I am assuming “Tofutti” sour cream is a vegan substitute, I have regular sour cream only?

  9. esther Avatar
    esther

    What can i replace the the liquor with?

    1. Rose Avatar
      Rose

      Another 1/2 c of coffee

  10. KatM Avatar
    KatM

    Used DH choc fudge cake mix

    Used canned bing cherries and juice for liquid+ 1/2 cup amaretto
    Butter for oil , 3tbl hot water + 1tsp instant coffee,
    Instead of chips, melted large dk choc bar + Tbl oil, 4oz cream cheese slowly microwave and stir w 15 sec.. If too thick add heavy cream tbl at time. Stir in cherries at end. Striped top with vanilla white choc and dk choc chips + 2 Tbl brwn sugar+ little oil and heavy cream. 350f for 55min
    Really moist and Rich

    1. Dee Avatar
      Dee

      Sooooo… you made a totally different cake and gave it 5 star rating. OK….

    2. Jabeve Avatar
      Jabeve

      A completely different recipe – not a comment!!!!

  11. Tracy from Long Island Avatar

    Just made this for Father’s Day tomorrow.
    I mixed Godiva liquor and Ghirardelli chocolates

    I call it My Godivarelli Cake!…lol

    1. Jessica (Maryland) Avatar
      Jessica (Maryland)

      3 stars
      I made this cake today. It was just okay for me. Maybe I was expecting more since I usually make my cakes from scratch. I made the “original glaze as an alternate to the ganache” following Mira’s directions above. It was not good at all, it was very thick and could not even be spread without dipping the knife in water. Maybe I misunderstood the 1/3 cup cocoa. Is this cocoa powder, or liquid cocoa that is ready to drink? I used 100% cocoa powder.

  12. jabeve Avatar
    jabeve

    Entirely different cake….why comment on this one?????
    Post YOUR own!!!

  13. Mary Dew Avatar
    Mary Dew

    So, do you add the brewed coffee as well as the instant coffee mixed with hot water?

  14. Karin Avatar

    For the frosting – what is Rich’s Whip? Never heard of it.

    1. Debbie Avatar
      Debbie

      I had to Goggle it to find out. It’s a non-dairy topping. Looks like it comes as a cream/creamer type of product or in tubs like Cool Whip. Since it’s used for the ganache, I think the recipe is using the cream/creamer product. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think if you can’t find the Rich’s Whip and are OK with using dairy products, then regular heavy cream or whipping cream would work just fine.

  15. Roberta Avatar
    Roberta

    Do you add brewed coffee as well as instant. Recipe isn’t clear

    1. Deborah Carter Avatar
      Deborah Carter

      No, one or the other. I have been using brewed coffee in place of water in any chocolate cake recipe.

      1. Carolyn Hann Avatar
        Carolyn Hann

        I don’t like coffee. Is it possible to leave the coffee out, or add more liquor?

        1. Mary Schneider Avatar
          Mary Schneider

          Lol. I like that idea!!!!

  16. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    I can’t use any kind of alcohol in my cooking because some family members cannot consume alcohol. and I know it never cooks completely out. What would be the best non-alcoholic substitute for the liquor?

    1. CJ Avatar
      CJ

      Water can be used instead of liquor.

    2. Jane Rodman Avatar
      Jane Rodman

      You could add a little bit of most any flavoring extract that’s complementary to chocolate. Almond and cherry come to my mind immediately. Or orange but maybe without the coffee.

    3. Jessica Avatar
      Jessica

      What size box of pudding mix please? There are more than one to choose from. TIA

  17. Y Avatar
    Y

    Can I use a 9×13 for this recipe?

  18. Aly Avatar
    Aly

    I have made this cake for years, my original recipe called for yellow cake mix and rum. I like the mini chocolate chips so when room temp. you are not biting into chunks of chocolate. Other variations add chopped nuts and bourbon instead of rum. have also made with baileys for st. patricks day.

  19. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    What size chocolate pudding

  20. Teresa Avatar
    Teresa

    Made this today. Slight accidental change…….used a milk chocolate cake mix that already had pudding in it AND a box of chocolate pudding. Didn’t realize until I had already put both in the bowl so, decided to roll with it. Instead of rum I added Bailey’s, what I had on hand. Turned out wonderful! Didn’t add the ganache, didn’t need it. Will definitely make this again!

  21. Joan Kipp Avatar
    Joan Kipp

    What size instant pudding?

  22. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    I made it as per the recipe. It is good and very chocolatey. If I make it again, I might put in some pecans. The rum and coffee are very mild flavored in the cake, but add a bit more richness. I could see leaving off the ganache next time and dust with powdered sugar.

  23. Betty Hudson Avatar
    Betty Hudson

    I haven’t tried this yet, but when I do I think I will try Kahlua instead of rum. Will let you know how it turns out! Also will have to use whipping cream because I don’t think I will be able to find Rich’s Whip in my area. Thanks for a great sounding recipe!

  24. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    does the ganache glaze stay soft or does it ever harden

  25. Cynthia Avatar
    Cynthia

    Must you add the alcohol and the coffee? Should I substitute water for both?

  26. Dr.Melanie Avatar
    Dr.Melanie

    5 stars
    I absolutely LOVE a good “doctored” cake mix recipe. Love the idea of adding Amaretto from one commenter. Both of these make for a wonderful flavor variation:
    -Frangelico (also a divine addition to chocolate cheesecake recipes)
    -your fav Orange liquor

  27. Jean Dilts Avatar
    Jean Dilts

    This is a delicious, decadent cake, but the recipe for. your ganache is twice as much as one needs to top the bundt cake.

  28. Kevin Reilly Avatar
    Kevin Reilly

    So delicious. This is nearly the same recipe as “Death by Chocolate” cake from the Dom DeLuise cookbook and I’ve been making it for years. (This recipe uses coffee and rum – the Dom DeLuise recipe does not). It’s truly the easiest and most amazing cake ever!!!!

  29. Tery Avatar
    Tery

    Can real sour cream be used instead of the Tofutti?

    1. Between Carpools Avatar
  30. Joy Avatar
    Joy

    Your cake sounds delicious! Definitely going to try! Can you tell me about your mixing bowl? So beautiful!

  31. Martha Engle Avatar
    Martha Engle

    5 stars
    I gave this five stars without having made the cake because it sounds so delicious. I, too, am intrigued by the mixing bowl. I would love to get one of them.

  32. Holly Avatar
    Holly

    Can you use a gluten free cake mix?

  33. Margie McGee Avatar
    Margie McGee

    What size bundt pan?

  34. Marcia Avatar
    Marcia

    I just made this cake for the first time …looks absolutely amazing. Do most of you leave it in the bunt pa or do you remove it ?

  35. Staci Avatar
    Staci

    5 stars
    Made this for my family on vk, for my hubby’s bday. Used Blackberry moonshine for the liquor. Everyone LOVED it. <3

  36. Melissa Mercer Avatar
    Melissa Mercer

    Can you make this recipe into cupcakes?

  37. Eileen Avatar
    Eileen

    Also wondering if you can use a gluten free cake mix

  38. Lorraine Carlin Avatar
    Lorraine Carlin

    If not using a Bundt pan but want to use jumbo cup cake holders how long would would baking time be?

  39. rachel Avatar
    rachel

    5 stars
    this recipe brings back so many memories!! i made this when i was newlywed 14 years ago ;). i got this reicpe from a now defunt site called gourmetkoshercooking.
    YUM!!!

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