Easy German Chocolate Dump Cake with rich chocolate, coconut, and pecans. No mixing required for a quick, decadent dessert everyone will love.
This German Chocolate Dump Cake is the ultimate no-fuss dessert, combining rich chocolate, sweet coconut, and crunchy pecans in one decadent treat. With no mixing required, it’s layered, baked, and ready to impress in minutes.
Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any time you want an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert. Once you start making dump cakes, you will want to make more Easy Dump Cake Recipes.
We also love German Chocolate Cake Cheesecake Bars for another great dessert.
What's in this post: German Chocolate Dump Cake
Why We Love This Recipe
- No-mix, no-fuss. Simply layer the ingredients and bake for an easy dessert.
- Decadent flavor. Rich chocolate, sweet coconut, and crunchy pecans in every bite.
- Quick and easy. Perfect for last-minute gatherings or busy weeknights.
- Crowd-pleaser. A dessert everyone loves, from kids to adults.
- Versatile. Serve warm, cold, or with a scoop of ice cream for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
- Sweetened Flaked Coconut. Adds sweetness and chewy texture.
- Chopped Pecans (divided). Provides crunch; part goes in the layers, part on top.
- Devil’s Food Cake Mix. Creates the rich, chocolatey base.
- Cream Cheese (softened). Adds creaminess and balances the sweetness.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips. Melts slightly for pockets of chocolatey goodness.
Get the complete ingredient list at the bottom of the post.
Variations
- Different cake mix. Use chocolate fudge or German Chocolate Cake mix for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Nut options. Swap pecans for walnuts or skip nuts for a nut-free version.
- Coconut alternatives. Use sweetened shredded coconut or toasted coconut for extra flavor.
- Add-ins. Stir in caramel bits, butterscotch chips, or chocolate chunks for extra indulgence.
- Toppings. Top with Homemade Whipped Cream, ice cream, or a drizzle of Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe or Homemade Caramel Sauce before serving.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Preheat the oven and sprinkle coconut and chopped pecans on the bottom of the pan.
Step 2. Make the cake mix per the box instructions. Then spread into the baking dish over the pecans.
Step 3. Get out a separate bowl and beat the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and salt until smooth with a mixer.
Step 4. Add the cups confectioners’ sugar. Beat until combined.
Step 5. Add the chocolate chips and remaining pecans.
Step 6. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top of the cake batter.
Step 7. Finally, sprinkle the chocolate chips and the pecans on top. Carefully swirl the cream cheese mixture into the batter with a knife.
Step 8. Then bake the cake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve and enjoy.
Pro Tips
- Use softened cream cheese. This helps it layer smoothly without clumping.
- Divide the pecans. Sprinkle some in the layers and some on top for maximum crunch.
- Don’t overbake. The cake should be bubbly and set, but still moist.
- Optional extras. Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Cool slightly before serving. This helps the layers settle for cleaner slices.
- Make ahead. Assemble the night before and bake when ready to save time.
Storage
Refrigerator. Store leftover German Chocolate Dump Cake in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days.
Freezer. Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before serving.
Serving tip. Warm slightly in the microwave or oven before serving for a freshly baked taste.
More Easy Dump Cake Recipes
- Easy Oreo Dump Cake Recipe
- Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake
- Peach Dump Cake
- Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe
Try this German Chocolate Dump Cake today for a quick, decadent dessert everyone will love! Don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating to share how much you enjoyed it.
German Chocolate Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans divided
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix plus ingredients for making cake
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Sprinkle coconut and 1 cup of chopped pecans into the prepared pan.
- Prepare cake mix according to package direction.
- Pour into the baking pan over coconut and pecans.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, but the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and salt until smooth.
- Beat in the powdered sugar.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and the remaining pecans.
- Using a spoon, dollop the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips and the pecans on top.
- Gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the batter with a knife.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
OMGosh!! these look amazing – can’t wait to make them! Just one question, my husband does not like coconut (and yet, I still married him!), so I’m wondering if you have any substitution ideas at all for the coconut? Would butterscotch chips work?
Since I’m pretty much going to lose the GC Cake flavor of this cake w/o the coconut, I was also thinking about walnuts instead of pecans?
Would appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you! ☺
I love the idea of butterscotch chips with walnuts! I think those will both be delicious in this recipe. If you try it out, please let me know how it turns out!
Which is it…..do you add the chocolate chips and remaining pecans to cream cheese mixture or do you sprinkle on top of the cream cheese mixture that you have dolloped on top of the cake batter? A little confusing….