Ridiculously Good Fudgy Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake #PumpkinWeek

This Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake has only 3 ingredients! The recipe came up years ago during a conversation about fall desserts with recipe-loving co-workers. That very night, I made a similar version of this cake based on my office mate’s recollection of the recipe she was given years before that. The following day, the experimental cake I brought to the office disappeared quickly!

Recipe originally published October 2017. Updated October 2021.

I made several versions of this Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake that fall and winter, and each version was slightly different until we decided that this one was our favorite. The following spring distracted me with berries and other bright flavors, so I tucked this recipe away. When I joined a bunch of other food bloggers for a #PumpkinWeek recipe event a few years ago (DO check out the links to all the pumpkin recipes below!), I finally got to make it again. Now, I make it each fall.

This cake is ridiculously easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. People often ask for the recipe, and they’re always surprised to learn that this recipe uses a cake mix!

I’m generally a scratch-made cake kind of girl, but there have been several occasions over the years where cake mixes served me very well. And you know what? I’m not apologizing for it because we don’t discriminate against delicious in our house!

So let me tell you a little about this…

3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

Chocolate

I love dark chocolate, so naturally this chocolate pumpkin cake became a Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake on the second try. Devil’s Food works well, too, but I’m partial to the fabulously fudgy flavor that a good dark chocolate mix adds. The mini chocolate chips were another eventual addition. They kind of melt into the cake making it even more fudgy and delicious!

Pumpkin

As with any recipe that uses few ingredients, the better-quality ingredients you use, the better flavor you’ll get. I’ve included the brands I used in the ingredients below because they work well for me. Using 100% pumpkin does add pumpkin flavor notes to this cake. There are brands that have a mix of pumpkin and squash, and I’ve found that they don’t have as much flavor. Again, it’s up to you, but I love the fact that this cake has subtle pumpkin flavor without the “pumpkin spice” fuss. (Nothing against pumpkin spice, but sometimes you just want something different.)

Cake

If you’re looking for something light and airy, this Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake probably isn’t for you. If you’re into rich, decadent, dense, flourless-like chocolate cakes like I am, then you’re in for a treat!

Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake… So Easy and Delicious!

I call this a “party cake” because it’s quick and easy to make at the last minute which is perfect for parties! The cake is sweet, but not too sweet. And of course, you’re not adding oil and eggs to the batter, so you’re saving a few calories. And saving calories in the cake leaves more calories to “spend” on wine. And that’s wonderfully convenient because this cake just happens to pair deliciously with a good pinot noir! (See? I told you it’s perfect for parties!)

No one will believe it when you tell them how easy it is to make this cake, so be willing to convince them by sharing the recipe. Or not… It’s your cake to serve and enjoy as you wish.

No matter what, if you’re in the mood to whip up a deliciously unique little pumpkin cake, then you’re only about a half hour away from Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake bliss!

BAKING NOTE: Like most cakes, you’ll want to insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the cake to test this cake for doneness. Do this toward the end of the baking time(s). Because of the chocolate chips in this recipe, the testing pick/skewer will not be completely clean when you pull it out of the cake. Test toward the end of the recommended baking time, and bake just until the batter no longer coats the pick/skewer.

Enjoy!

Print

Ridiculously Good Fudgy Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake #PumpkinWeek

This Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake is quick and easy to make with just three ingredients. You'll love the dense, rich flavor. It's a great party cake, and pairs well with red wine!

Course Dessert

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 8 - 16

Author Michele Phillips, BaconFatte.com

Ingredients

• 1 dark chocolate fudge boxed cake mix* - I used Duncan Hines brand
• 1, 15 ounce can pumpkin puree - I used Libby’s brand
• ½ cup semi sweet mini chocolate chips - I used Nestles Toll House
• Powdered sugar for garnish - optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare a 10 cup bundt pan with baking spray or butter and flour
3. Add cake mix, pumpkin puree, and mini chocolate chips to a bowl, and stir with a spatula until completely combined.
4. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and smooth to level.
5. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes*, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out fairly clean.
6. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert cake onto serving plate and allow to cool completely.
7. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to serve (optional).

8. Refrigerate any leftovers in an air-tight container for 3 - 5 days.

Recipe Notes

*Use just the cake mix. Omit any other ingredients (such as water, oil, or eggs) called for on the box.

*If you’re using a dark or coated cake pan, you may need to bake it for a few extra minutes. Test the cake several times prior to the end of the suggested baking times to avoid over-baking.

*I check my cake after 20 minutes, and again at 25, etc., until it’s ready.

*Please note that the testing toothpick will not be completely clean when you test because of the chocolate chips. Just bake until the batter no longer sticks to the toothpick.

MAKING THIS RECIPE ?

I’d love to know! Please leave a note here on the blog in the comments below, and share your creations on Facebook and Instagram !

Use the hashtag #baconfatte and tag @baconfatte in your social media posts — I’d love to see them!

About #PumpkinWeek

#PumpkinWeek 2017 was a virtual event in which a group of food bloggers came together to share delicious pumpkin recipes. The event was coordinated by Terri from Love and Confections, and gathered all kinds of sweet and savory recipes to inspire you! You can find and share our #PumpkinWeek recipes online by searching the hashtag on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

Here are all the 2017 #PumpkinWeek recipes… Enjoy!

Pumpkin Drink Recipes:

Pumpkin Pie Moscow Mule from Love and Confections.

 Savory Pumpkin Recipes:

Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce from Hardly A Goddess.
Goat Cheese and Sage Pizza with Pumpkin Crust from The Spiffy Cookie.
Kaddo Bowrani (Afghan Pumpkin with Yoghurt Sauce) from Caroline’s Cooking.
Pickled Pumpkin with Sage and Autumn Spices from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Pumpkin Beer Bread from Forking Up.
Pumpkin Beer Cheese Soup with Herbed Croutons from The Crumby Kitchen.
Pumpkin Chili from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
Pumpkin Corn Chowder with Shrimp from Kudos Kitchen by Renee.
Pumpkin Focaccia Bread from Cookaholic Wife.
Pumpkin Ravioli with Parmesan Sage Cream Sauce from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen.
Pumpkin Rosemary Hummus with Sizzled Garlic from Amy’s Cooking Adventures.
Pumpkin Stew with Chicken and Black Beans from Palatable Pastime.

Sweet Pumpkin Recipes:

Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from The Redhead Baker.
Cheesecake Stuffed Pumpkin Bundt Cake from Cooking with Carlee.
Easy Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake from Daily Dish Recipes.
Jumbo Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping from Family Around The Table.
Pumpkin Blondies from It Bakes Me Happy.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars from The Bitter Side of Sweet.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake from The Chef Next Door.

Pumpkin Cranberry Oatmeal Bars from The Nifty Foodie.

Pumpkin Madeleines from Mildly Meandering.
Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites from Making Miracles.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal from Seduction in the Kitchen.
Pumpkin Pie Tassies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings.
Pumpkin Scones from The Freshman Cook.
Pumpkin Spice Donuts from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Pumpkin Spice Donuts from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks.
Pumpkin Zucchini Streusel Bread from An Affair from the Heart.
Ridiculously Good Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake from Bacon Fatte.

Want more pumpkin recipes?

Check out over 1,000 sweet, savory and delicious recipes

on the Bacon Fatte Pumpkin Love board on Pinterest!

Thanks so much for visiting! Please feel free to SHARE this recipe to your favorite social media channels… Just click the buttons below!

LIKED THIS? FEAST ON THESE:

Chocolate Irish Cream Cake Bites Spiced Pumpkin Mini Cakes with Mulled Cranberries & Brandy Brown Butter Glaze #PumpkinWeek Blackened Steak Tacos with Pumpkin, Sweet Corn & Red Bean Salsa #PumpkinWeek Lemon Bliss Lemon Cake Jeweled Chocolate-Topped Shortbread Cookies Amaretto Butter Cake with Pomegranate and Cream Hot Honey Nut Caramel Popcorn Snack Mix Felix K’s Chocolate Chip Cookies Mocha Rum Balls Loaded Brownies