This chocolate sundae cake is basically a delectable fudge sundae in cake form, complete with a moist dark chocolate fudge cake, chocolate syrup, whipped cream topping, and a cherry on top.

This chocolate sundae cake is definitely celebration-worthy on all counts. The appearance makes you think of red balloons and barbecues but beyond that, the ease of it is stunning. I dreamed this up years ago when I had company coming and wanted an impressive dessert with ingredients I had on hand. I was hoping they’d like it and the speed with which it disappeared confirmed that they did.

Lucky for me, it was so easy to make! This easy chocolate sundae cake recipe needs minimal ingredients. The first step is to bake the tender and moist dark chocolate fudge cake. Then we poke holes across it and pour over the delicious chocolate syrup, which soaks into the cake and makes it just melt in your mouth. Then the final step is to add the toppings! Because we’re going for a chocolate sundae look, we add whipped topping, chopped nuts, and maraschino cherries, but you can totally add your favorite ice cream toppings.

While we’re talking about chocolate cakes, if you’re looking for something similar to an old-fashioned hot fudge sundae cake that tastes absolutely delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, you must try my chocolate cobbler recipe! It’s basically a pudding-like hot fudge cake that’s so easy to make, you’ll love it!

Recipe Ingredients

Chocolate cake mix and required ingredients according to package.
Whipped cream topping
Chocolate syrup
Cherries (I prefer with stems)
Chopped nuts

How To Make A Sundae Chocolate Cake

In a medium bowl, prepare the cake batter by mixing the dry ingredients together with the required wet ingredients (usually eggs and water). Pour the cake batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake according to package directions.

As soon as you take it out of the oven, poke holes all in the top with a fork.

Until it looks like it has been attacked by a mob of angry chickens.

Now take that bottle of chocolate sauce and pour it over the cake.

Yes, the entire bottle. Saturate that cake. The chocolate fudge sauce will soak into the holes and warm cake and basically replicate hot fudge sauce.

Oh my, if your mouth isn’t watering now I don’t know what it takes to do it for ya!

Let your cake cool completely and place it in the fridge to get it chilled.

Sometimes I speed things up a bit by placing my hot cake in the freezer but let’s keep that between us, alrighty?

Once your cake is cold, spread the entire container of whipping cream topping over it.

Top with chopped nuts and a cherry and serve cold!

Check out that cross-section!

This is so easy, you don’t have any excuse not to make it!

Enjoy your scrumptious chocolate fudge sundae cake!

Storage

Store leftover cake in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes

As mentioned, you can top the whipping cream with whatever you like, including sprinkles, crushed Oreo cookie crumbs, or a different type of chopped nut.
You can also use any variety of boxed chocolate cake mix or make a homemade chocolate cake (with chocolate chips), of course.

You may also enjoy these scrumptious cake recipes:

Chocolate Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Icing

Chocolate Snack Cake With Chocolate Chips

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

Red Velvet Bundt Cake Recipe

Jello Poke Cake Recipe

Easy Birthday Cake Recipe From Scratch