Name: Halloween Dump Cake Recipes That’ll Thrill Any Crowd
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix; 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 oz); 2 cups milk; 1 package Oreos, crushed; 1/2 cup Halloween sprinkles; 1/2 cup candy corn (optional); 1/2 cup mini marshmallows; 1/2 cup melted butter

Jump to Recipe

This spooky Halloween dessert is one of my favorite dump cake recipes to pull together when time’s tight, but I still want something with wow factor. Think of it as a Cake Mix Dump Cake dressed up in costume — gooey, chocolatey, and with just enough crunch to keep things interesting. We’re talking layers of rich Chocolate Dump Cake with Oreo crumbs, vibrant pudding, and colorful candies that scream Halloween without screaming ‘I spent hours baking.’ You just toss things into a pan, give it a little bake, and boom — magic. No cauldron required. I’ve tried Apple Dump Cake and Peach Dump Cake Easy-style versions, but this Cherry Dump Cake Recipe-inspired twist for Halloween is the one I always come back to. It’s weirdly good. It’s messy. And it disappears like ghosts at a seance. Great for parties, post-trick-or-treat sugar comas, or a quiet night in watching scary movies.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Halloween Dump Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Halloween Dump Cake
4) How to Make Halloween Dump Cake
5) Tips for Making Halloween Dump Cake
6) Making Halloween Dump Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Halloween Dump Cake
8) Try these Dessert Recipes next!
9) Halloween Dump Cake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This is one of those dump cake recipes that only looks complicated
It’s spooky, it’s sweet, and it screams Halloween fun
You just layer and bake — no mixing bowl cleanup required
Swap the toppings to fit your party theme or pantry stash

2) Easy Halloween Dump Cake Recipe

I love a good shortcut that doesn’t taste like one. This Halloween dump cake walks that line beautifully. The texture hits just right — soft pudding layered with chocolate cake crumbles and a buttery, crisp edge. And when the candy melts just enough into the top, every forkful feels like a trick and a treat at once.

Let’s be honest. Nobody has time to whip up a showstopper from scratch during the Halloween rush. But with dump cake recipes like this one, we can cheat the clock and still impress the crowd. Cake Mix Dump Cake is the hero here, taking one box of chocolate mix and transforming it into something party-ready. The instant pudding keeps the inside gooey, and those crushed Oreos on top? Yeah, they’re more than welcome at this monster mash.

Chocolate Dump Cake is already a fan favorite, but dress it up with orange, black, and purple sprinkles, and we’ve got ourselves something that belongs on the snack table. I’ve tried Apple Dump Cake and Peach Dump Cake Easy versions before, but this one’s in a spooky league of its own. Even the classic Cherry Dump Cake Recipe steps aside this time of year.

3) Ingredients for Halloween Dump Cake

Chocolate Cake Mix — This is the magic ingredient in Cake Mix Dump Cake. You don’t need eggs or oil here. The mix itself does the heavy lifting on texture and flavor, giving you a moist, tender crumb that plays so well with the pudding base.

Instant Chocolate Pudding — Adds a rich, creamy layer underneath. It gets just set enough during baking to stay fudgy but not overly stiff. That middle section always disappears first in my house.

Milk — Helps the pudding mix blend smoothly. I usually use whole milk, but 2 percent works too. Avoid non-dairy options unless you’ve tested them — some brands don’t set right in baked dishes.

Crushed Oreos — This is where things get fun. The crunch contrasts the softness of the pudding and cake. Plus, the cookies turn almost brownie-like on the edges after baking. Totally addictive.

Halloween Sprinkles — Bright and bold. They melt slightly into the top layer, giving the whole thing that spooky, party-ready finish.

Candy Corn (optional) — This one’s divisive, I know. But if you like it, toss a handful on top. It adds sweetness and sticks to the theme.

Mini Marshmallows — These puff up and brown a bit in the oven, giving your cake that toasty, gooey finish on top.

Melted Butter — This ties it all together. Poured over the top, it helps the cake mix set into a rich layer and keeps the entire dessert from feeling dry.

4) How to Make Halloween Dump Cake

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease your 9×13 baking dish. I usually swipe it with butter, but a spritz of baking spray does the job too.

Step 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk. You want it thick but pourable — kind of like loose custard. Pour that right into the bottom of the dish.

Step 3. Without stirring, sprinkle the dry cake mix right over the pudding. You don’t need to mix it. Let it sit on top like a dry blanket. It’ll bake into the pudding below and become magic.

Step 4. Drizzle melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix. Don’t stress if it doesn’t reach every single spot. The oven will sort it out.

Step 5. Top everything with crushed Oreos, sprinkles, marshmallows, and candy corn if you’re using it. Go heavy-handed here — more toppings, more joy.

Step 6. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges bubble and the top starts to look crisp and slightly sunken in the center.

Step 7. Let it cool slightly. I know it’s hard to wait, but trust me. That rest helps the pudding firm up just enough. Serve warm or room temp. Either way, it wins.

5) Tips for Making Halloween Dump Cake

Don’t skip the butter. That melted gold is what gives dump cake recipes their signature texture. Without it, you’re left with dry spots and uneven bake.

Let the pudding layer sit before baking. Give it five minutes after pouring it into the pan. That short pause allows the pudding to settle just a bit so it doesn’t slosh too much when you top it.

If your cake mix looks too powdery after baking, don’t worry. Just spoon around that part. It still tastes great and often settles after cooling. Halloween desserts don’t need to look perfect — they just need to taste like a party.

6) Making Halloween Dump Cake Ahead of Time

I’ve made this the night before and served it at brunch the next morning — not a soul complained. Dump cake recipes are pretty forgiving, and this one holds up well. Just bake it, cool it, and cover it tightly in foil.

You can reheat it in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual portions. I usually scoop mine into mugs, top with whipped cream, and pretend I’m not eating dessert for breakfast.

If you’re bringing it to a party, bake it earlier in the day and let it cool completely in the pan. Cover and store at room temp, then warm it just before serving to bring back that gooey layer underneath.

7) Storing Leftover Halloween Dump Cake

Cover the pan with foil or transfer leftovers into an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to five days. I rarely make it past day three, though. Someone always sneaks a bite.

To reheat, microwave a slice for 20 to 30 seconds. The cake softens and the chocolate warms up beautifully. You can top it with ice cream if you’re feeling bold, or eat it cold — no judgment here.

Just don’t freeze it. The texture changes too much, and the pudding doesn’t bounce back well. Dump cake recipes work best fresh or chilled, not frozen.

8) Try these Dessert Recipes next!

9) Halloween Dump Cake