The Ultimate S’more Butterscotch Caramel Dump Cake (Dangerously Delicious!)

Hello, my fellow dessert fanatics, and welcome to a recipe that I must preface with a little warning: this is dangerously delicious. I mean it. If you have an intense sweet tooth, brace yourselves, because this S’more Butterscotch Caramel Dump Cake is, as the kids say, a “problem.” It is a glorious, over-the-top, and ridiculously easy dessert that combines all the best things in the world into one single, gooey, magnificent pan.

Imagine a rich, buttery chocolate cake base, topped with a luscious layer of melted marshmallow cream, spoonfuls of chocolate pudding, and crowned with toasted marshmallows and crunchy graham crackers. It’s a s’more, a cake, and a pudding all at once, and it is pure, unadulterated bliss. This is the dessert you make when you want to throw caution to the wind and dive headfirst into something truly spectacular. And the best part? It’s a “dump cake,” which means it’s unbelievably easy to make.

Why This is The Ultimate Indulgent Dessert

This recipe is less of a recipe and more of a ticket to dessert nirvana. It’s a guaranteed showstopper for a reason.

• The Magic of a Dump Cake: The beauty of a dump cake is its sheer simplicity. There’s no complicated mixing of a batter; you just layer the ingredients in a pan and let the oven do all the magical work.
• An Explosion of Decadent Flavors: This isn’t just one dessert; it’s all of them! You get the rich chocolate, the gooey marshmallow of a s’more, the creamy pudding, and the sweet crunch of butterscotch caramel.
• The Most Incredible Gooey Texture: The combination of the marshmallow cream, the instant pudding, and the toasted marshmallows on top creates a multi-layered, molten, and gooey texture that is absolutely irresistible.
• A True Crowd-Pleaser: Place this pan on a dessert table at any party, and I guarantee it will be the first thing to disappear. It’s a surefire hit with kids and adults alike.
• Pantry-Staple Perfection: This recipe makes brilliant use of easy-to-find pantry staples like a box of cake mix and instant pudding, making it a perfect last-minute dessert solution.

Gather Your Decadent Ingredients: What You’ll Need

Let’s get our simple, indulgent ingredients ready to go.

• 12 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1 (15.25-ounce) box Chocolate Cake Mix: Any brand you love will work!
• 1 (7.5-ounce) jar Marshmallow Cream (or Fluff)
• 1 (5.9-ounce) box Instant Chocolate Pudding
• 1 cup Milk: Any kind of milk works—whole, 2%, or even a non-dairy milk.
• 9 Large Marshmallows
• 3 Graham Cracker Sheets, broken into small shards
• 3 tablespoons Trader Joe’s Butterscotch Caramel Chocolate Balls (or other chocolate-caramel candy), chopped
• Whipped Cream or Ice Cream, for serving

Crafting Your Dump Cake: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s assemble this easy, layered masterpiece.

1. Prep and Make the Base: First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×9-inch nonstick pan with baking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to help you lift it out later. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and the dry chocolate cake mix. Stir until it’s smooth and has the consistency of a thick, sandy paste. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.

1. Layer the Marshmallow and Pudding: Using a rubber spatula (it helps to spray it with a little non-stick spray!), scoop the marshmallow cream on top of the cake mix base and spread it into an even layer. In a separate small bowl, quickly combine the instant pudding mix and the milk, and then immediately spoon spoonfuls of this mixture on top of the marshmallow cream layer.
2. Top and Bake: Top the pudding with the 9 large marshmallows and the broken graham cracker shards.
3. The Most Important Step: Place your cake pan on a larger, rimmed baking sheet! This will catch any potential drips and save your oven from a sugary mess. Transfer it to the oven.
4. Bake to Puffy Perfection: Bake for about 1 hour. The marshmallows on top will get quite puffy and toasted, and the cake around the edges will be set. Remove the pan from the oven and let it set for about 30 minutes. Don’t be alarmed—the marshmallows will deflate as it cools. This is normal!
5. Garnish and Serve: While the cake is still warm, sprinkle the chopped butterscotch caramel balls over the top so they get a little melty. To serve, scoop generous portions into bowls, dollop with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and top with a few more graham cracker crumbs.

Wise Tips for the Best Dump Cake

• The Baking Sheet is Non-Negotiable: I’m saying it again because it’s that important! This cake is gooey, and things can bubble over. Placing your baking pan on a larger, rimmed baking sheet is the secret to a clean oven.
• The Marshmallow Cream Trick: Marshmallow cream is notoriously sticky. To make spreading it easier, you can spray your spatula with a little non-stick cooking spray before you start.
• The Candy Topping: The Trader Joe’s Butterscotch Caramel Balls are a fantastic, crunchy addition. If you can’t find them, any chocolatey-caramel candy will work wonderfully. Chopped Rolos, Heath bar bits, or even just some extra chocolate chips would be delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – S’more Dump Cake

1. What exactly is a “dump cake”?
   A dump cake is a wonderfully easy type of dessert where you literally “dump” the ingredients in layers into a cake pan without much mixing. A cake mix is usually used as the topping or, in this case, the base, creating a simple, cobbler-like dessert.
2. Can I use a different size pan?
   You can, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time. An 8×8 pan will result in a thicker cake and may need an extra 5-10 minutes of baking time. A larger 13×9 pan will result in a much thinner cake and will likely need less time, around 40-45 minutes.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
   This dessert is at its absolute gooey, marshmallowy best when served warm, about 30-60 minutes after it comes out of the oven. You can assemble it a few hours ahead of time before baking if needed.
4. How do I store leftovers?
   Cover the pan tightly and store it at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to get them warm and gooey again.

Conclusion

This S’more Butterscotch Caramel Dump Cake is a wild, decadent, and incredibly fun dessert. It’s a gooey, rich, and satisfying treat that throws all the rules out the window in the most delicious way possible. It’s the perfect, low-effort, high-reward dessert for satisfying a serious sweet tooth. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy every single glorious, messy, wonderful spoonful!