From poke cakes and frosted cupcakes to crisp biscotti, these chocolate cake mix recipes turn a shortcut into bakery-worthy treats.
1/15
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people to ask if I'm bringing this dessert. If you don't have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons baking cocoa. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
2/15
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
3/15
Yummy Chocolate Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are trying to eat lighter but still crave sweets. This moist, healthy chocolate cake really helps with that. With the rich frosting, it makes a decadent treat! —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
4/15
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Although I have some wonderful from-scratch recipes, this one uses a boxed mix with plenty of doctoring. It has become a popular groom’s cake that gets more attention than the wedding cake. —Nora Fitzgerald, Sevierville, Tennessee
5/15
Dream Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandchildren absolutely love these cream-filled cupcakes, and I hope the chocolaty treats become a favorite in your home as well. —Dorothy Bahlmann, Clarksville, Iowa
6/15
Shortcut Coconut-Pecan Chocolate Tassies
From the Recipe Creator:
You can garnish these cookies with pecan halves or a couple of chocolate chips before baking, or drizzle with a little melted chocolate after taking them out of the oven. —Deb Villenauve, Krakow, Wisconsin
7/15
Giant Buckeye Cookie
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m from Ohio, and we love our buckeye candy! Buckeyes are a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, which is exactly what this cookie is. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few common pantry ingredients, and voila—you have a tasty dessert ready for family and friends in under an hour. You can customize it, too, by substituting other mix-ins for the chocolate chips. We serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Arianna Harding, Cincinnati, Ohio
8/15
Toffee Poke Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This toffee poke cake recipe is a favorite among my family and friends. I love making it because it is so simple. —Jeanette Hoffman, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
9/15
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Cake Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
Who knew something this impressive could start with a cake mix! The mini chocolate chips add a tasty crunch to each slice. —Tammy Rex, New Tripoli, Pennsylvania
10/15
Chocolate Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
These white chocolate-drizzled cookies are a cinch to make, so I’m happy to whip up a batch any time. My neighbors always look forward to them! —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa
11/15
Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
You only need a few baking staples to throw together these gooey delights. Boxed cake mix and a can of frosting make them fast, but caramel, walnuts and chocolate chips tucked inside make them memorable. We like them with ice cream. —Bev Spain, Belleville, Ohio
12/15
German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I first tried tres leches cake while I was in Ecuador several years ago. Since then, I’ve changed it up by adding some of my favorite ingredients, namely chocolate and coconut. This version also has a splash of rum for an adults-only treat. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
13/15
Strawberry Chocolate Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
I threw this dessert together when I needed something quick to take to my in-laws’. Because it’s beautiful, everyone thinks it requires a lot of effort. It’s easy. And the recipe makes a lot, making this perfect for potlucks and large gatherings. —Kristi Judkins, Morrison, Tennessee
14/15
Warm Rocky Road Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When it’s warm, this reminds me of super moist lava cake. And until I made this, I didn’t think a slow cooker cake could be so attractive. It’s a real winner. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
15/15
Chocolate Cupcake Cones
From the Recipe Creator:
I experimented with these cupcakes when my girls were young. Now, I'm a grandmother of nine, and these are still our favorites. They're a great treat for kids to bring to school. —Betty Anderson, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Chocolate Cake Mix Recipes FAQ
What are some no-bake recipes using chocolate cake mix?
Since cake mix contains flour, it’s vital to remember that you should not eat raw flour, and any recipe with cake mix needs to be cooked, one way or another. Still, if your oven is unavailable, try making a shortcut chocolate mug cake in the microwave or air-fryer desserts, like fudgy brownies. Cakes also freeze well, so consider baking a few extra layers next time your oven is on, wrap them well and freeze them for future no-bake treats, like layered ice cream desserts and trifles.
How do I store desserts made with cake mix?
Cake mix is sturdy by design and does not stale easily, but it’s still important to wrap cake mix desserts well or transfer them to food storage containers. Desserts with creamy fillings or frostings, like cream cheese-based ones, need to be stored in the fridge, and last for seven days. Unfrosted cakes or cookies can be stored at room temperature for two to three weeks.
Are there gluten-free chocolate cake mix recipes?
Start with a store-bought, chocolate gluten-free cake mix and it’s easy to make cake mix recipes without gluten, from snack cakes to cookies and brownies. When stirring in flavorings or other mix-ins, like candies or chocolate chips, always check the label to confirm they have no gluten.
