There is something mighty satisfying about a simple dessert that comes together with pantry staples and a little bit of faith. This 3-ingredient oven baked National Junk Food Day dessert leans into that old-fashioned Midwestern love of practical sweets, where a box mix and a couple of humble add-ins can turn into a bubbling, buttery treat fit for a church supper or family movie night. Dry butterscotch pudding mix brings that deep caramel flavor, and when it bakes with cake mix and melted butter, it turns into a rich bar-like cobbler with crisp edges and a soft, gooey middle.
Serve this warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping if you want to dress it up. It also goes nicely with a hot cup of coffee after supper, or alongside a glass of cold milk for the youngsters and the young at heart. If you are putting out a dessert spread, this sweet little bake fits right in next to fresh berries or sliced bananas to balance the richness.
3-Ingredient Butterscotch Dump Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box (3.4 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding mix, dry
1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix, dry
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
2. Sprinkle the dry butterscotch pudding mix evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. Pour the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the pudding mix, covering it from corner to corner without stirring.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as you can all over the top. Try to moisten most of the dry mix so you get a nicely browned crust.
5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so it can set up a bit.
Variations & Tips
Pecan Topping: Scatter 1/2 cup chopped pecans over the cake mix before adding the butter. They toast up beautifully and give the dessert a little crunch that pairs just right with the butterscotch flavor.
Salted Caramel Touch: A light sprinkle of flaky salt right after baking gives this sweet dessert a more balanced flavor and makes the butterscotch taste even richer.
Pan Tip: If you notice dry patches on top before baking, drizzle an extra tablespoon or two of melted butter over those spots. That helps the whole top bake up evenly instead of leaving powdery corners.
Serving Tip: This dessert is best served warm. If you are reheating leftovers, warm individual portions for a few seconds in the microwave so the center turns soft and lovely again.