Chocolate Surprise Cake

SERVES: 16

COOK TIME: 30 Min

This easy dump cake recipe calls for one special ingredient that we think really brings out the sweet and chocolatey flavor! Our Chocolate Surprise Cake is great for potlucks, birthday parties, or any time you've got the whole gang gathered together.

What You'll Need

1 (16.5-ounce) package German chocolate cake mix
1 1/2 cup root beer soda (not diet)
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup flaked coconut

What to Do

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, root beer, eggs, and oil; beat 1 to 2 minutes, or until well blended. Spread batter in baking dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and coconut over top.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool, then cut into squares.

Notes

By now you've figured out that the surprise ingredient in this chocolate dump cake is actually the root beer soda. We use soda in this recipe to add another layer of flavor and to make it more moist and delicious! To try another variation, check out our recipe for Chocolate Cola Cake.

Dump cake recipes like this one are perfect for when you've got a lot of folks to treat, but not too much time to spend in the kitchen. For more great ideas, check out our collection of Dreamy Dump Cake Recipes.

If you're a fan of this cake, then we've got a pretty good feeling you'll love our recipe for The Ultimate German Chocolate Cake, too!

Nutritional InformationShow More

Servings Per Recipe: 16

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Calories 235
Calories from Fat 94
Total Fat 10g 16 %
Saturated Fat 4.9g 25 %
Trans Fat 0.0g 0 %
Protein 2.7g 5 %

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Cholesterol 23mg 8 %
Sodium 295mg 12 %
Total Carbohydrates 35g 12 %
Dietary Fiber 0.1g 0 %
Sugars 22g 0 %

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rcmoreland 6478096

May 16, 2019

Sounds delicious and would love to try it but am disappointed that this is NOT a dump cake

gideon1936 2506353

Nov 27, 2015

Sorry that should have read picture NOT picturembier. Also cake cuts into squares just fine

gideon1936 2506353

Nov 27, 2015

I made this cake this morning and it turned out perfectly, just like the picturemblier. It is moist and not any more crumblier than any other cake

imlizzard56 061579 2

Nov 13, 2015

I agree with other poster - this is very crumbly. I was expecting a more bar like cake. There is no way you can cut these into squares as they won't hold together. It tastes good, but you really don't taste any root beer flavor.

Pdzemke

Aug 05, 2015

Texture was a little disappointing as it crumbles. Guess this is true of all dump cakes, even though this is technically NOT a dump cake Followed directions, cake was delicious BUT you definitely need to eat it with a spoon as it crumbles, even though it is moist. All my chips sunk to the bottom of the cake, not like in the picture where they are evenly distributed throughout.

jsmbear1999 901544 9

Nov 09, 2015

If you "dust" the chips with flour, it will keep them from sinking to the bottom.

trowray 9221285

Jul 16, 2015

It's not as moist as I would've liked it, but it is still good. Has anyone figured out the nutrition info for it, even an approximate one?

Terri Calhoon

Jul 11, 2015

Do you have to put the coconut on it if you don't like coconut?

meatandtaters

Jul 12, 2015

Why would you ask this question? You know you don't.

augbaby67

Jul 12, 2015

Lmao!

grumpy

Jul 15, 2016

ANY recipe is a basic guide. If you don't like an ingredient, leave it out or change it

mwp7209 9304105

Jul 11, 2015

Is this a dry or moist cake? I simply love very moist cake. Chips tend to dry out and remain hard after a few days. I cannot consume all of this cake at one time. Will try it anyway.

slyounts1 1899097

Jul 11, 2015

Crap! I don't like Root Beer and it looks so good!

paiger

Jul 11, 2015

I agree with mrgerie 2645418, you don't beat a Dump Cake, but the beaten kind is OK too.

Judy2012

Jul 11, 2015

This is excellent. And it's definitely a dump cake, lol. You dump ingredients, stir together, spread in pan, bake. I went exactly by directions and it was a HUGE hit with picky cake eaters. I will continue to make. Thx so much for posting.

Judy2012

Jul 11, 2015

Yes, u do have to "beat' it.. I did it with a big fork, not mixer.

mrgerie 2645418

Jul 11, 2015

Sorry, but this is NOT a dump cake!

Bellerophon

Nov 20, 2015

WGAS?

livelovelaugh

Jun 24, 2015

Why can't diet soda be used? What difference would it make?

Test Kitchen Team

Jun 25, 2015

Hello. If you prefer you can definitely use diet soda instead of regular. We just preferred to use regular soda when developing this recipe in the Test Kitchen. Enjoy!

Pem717 7943126

Jun 03, 2015

I would like to make this for a fellowship luncheon for Church this Sunday. Do you think I would be able to double the recipe and bake in 1 pan or should I just make 2 seperate cakes?

Test Kitchen Team

Jul 13, 2015

Hi there! - We definitely recommend baking in 2 pans if you plan on doubling this recipe.

Member 2972460

Nov 27, 2015

if you double the recipe why not use a larger pan?

Test Kitchen Team

Nov 30, 2015

A 9- x 13-inch pan is a typical cake pan. We're not sure what size a larger pan would be, but if this cake is baked in a dish that's is not twice the size of a 9- x 13-inch dish, then it will be hard on the outside and not cooked on the inside. So, we recommend using 2 9- x 13-inch dishes to double the recipe. Hope that provides some clarification!