Easy Chocolate Chip Snack Cake

Remember those Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cake mixes from the 1970s? The ones that came with their own little cardboard baking pan?

I loved those cakes! They were so easy. Just stir everything together, bake, and you had a little homemade treat without much fuss.

This Easy Chocolate Chip Snack Cake reminds me of them.

It starts with a small amount of chocolate cake mix, gets an extra boost of chocolate flavor from instant pudding mix, and is topped with miniature chocolate chips.

A little Greek yogurt helps keep it moist while allowing us to use less oil.

The result is a simple, moist chocolate cake that bakes in an 8-inch square pan and makes 12 modest servings.

According to my original calculations, each piece has about 150 calories.

Perfect when you want a little chocolate cake without making a big production out of dessert.

A Little Nostalgia: Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cake

Back in the 1970s, Betty Crocker sold something called Snackin’ Cake.

These little cake mixes came in several flavors and even included a cardboard pan for baking. You could stir everything together right in the pan.

What a clever idea!

I’ve always had a soft spot for recipes like that. They’re simple, practical and remind me that good home baking doesn’t have to be complicated.

This chocolate chip snack cake has much the same appeal, with a few adjustments to make it a little lighter.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy. Start with a boxed cake mix and stir everything together in one bowl.
• Small-batch baking. An 8-inch square pan makes just enough cake for a few days of treats.
• Moist and chocolatey. Chocolate pudding mix and mini chocolate chips add extra flavor.
• Lighter ingredients. A little nonfat Greek yogurt replaces some of the oil.
• No frosting needed. The chocolate chips on top provide plenty of sweetness.
• Easy to share. Cut into 12 small squares for a simple dessert or afternoon snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this easy chocolate chip snack cake.

• Chocolate cake mix: The original recipe uses a 9-ounce package, or half of a larger box. Check the weight on today’s cake mix packages, since sizes have changed over the years.
• Instant chocolate pudding mix: Adds chocolate flavor and helps give the cake a moist texture. Use the dry mix, not prepared pudding.
• Water: Provides the liquid for the batter.
• Coconut oil: Adds moisture and richness. A neutral vegetable oil can be substituted.
• Nonfat plain Greek yogurt: Helps keep the cake moist while reducing the amount of oil needed.
• Egg: Helps the cake hold together and rise.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate flavor.
• Mini chocolate chips: Sprinkled over the top so you get a little choco

How to Make Chocolate Chip Snack Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F.

Lightly coat an 8-inch square metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

For easier removal, you can line the pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it.

Step 2: Mix the Batter

In a medium bowl, combine the dry chocolate cake mix, instant chocolate pudding mix, water, coconut oil, Greek yogurt, egg and vanilla.

Stir until smooth and well blended, about 1 minute.

Step 3: Add the Chocolate Chips

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.

Sprinkle the miniature chocolate chips over the top.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for approximately 30 to 35 minutes, until the top springs back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out without wet batter.

A few moist crumbs are fine.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Place the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool completely.

Cut into 12 squares and enjoy.

My Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Snack Cake

Pay attention to the cake mix weight. This recipe was developed when 9-ounce cake mixes were available. If you’re using a larger box, weigh out 9 ounces of the dry mix rather than assuming half the box will be the correct amount.

Use instant pudding mix. Cook-and-serve pudding isn’t the same product and may behave differently in the batter.

Don’t overbake. A small cake can dry out if left in the oven too long. Begin checking near the end of the suggested baking time.

Use miniature chocolate chips. They distribute nicely over the top, so you get a little chocolate in every slice without needing frosting.

Let the cake cool before slicing. It will hold together better and be easier to cut into neat squares.

Easy Variations

This is a simple recipe, but there are a few ways to change it up.

• Add a little coffee flavor. Replace some of the water with cooled brewed coffee to deepen the chocolate flavor.
• Try different chocolate chips. Semisweet, dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips would be delicious.
• Add chopped nuts. Sprinkle a few chopped walnuts or pecans over the batter before baking.
• Use a different oil. Canola or another neutral vegetable oil works in place of coconut oil.
• Make it extra special. Serve a square with fresh raspberries, strawberries or a small spoonful of whipped topping.

Keep in mind that substitutions and additions will change the nutrition information.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

According to my calculations, each slice of cake has just 150 calories.

To see your personalized WW Points, track this recipe in WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

Old WW plan: 4 PointsPlus

If you have made low calorie Chocolate Chocolate Chip Snack Cakeice Cake S’mores, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

More Easy Chocolate Cakes and Treats

If you enjoy this simple chocolate chip snack cake, here are a few more easy treats from Simple Nourished Living:

• Quick Lunch Box Cake (Choco-Moist Cake) – Another nostalgic, old-fashioned snack cake made with fruit cocktail, chocolate chips and nuts. One of my mom’s favorites.
• Chocolate Chip Kodiak Quick Cake – A lighter chocolate chip snack cake made with Kodiak pancake mix.
• Easy Low-Fat Chocolate Cake Recipes – Several simple ways to make lighter chocolate cakes, including easy cake mix variations.
• Chocolate Coconut Cake Mix Cookie Bars – Easy chocolate cookie bars made with cake mix, yogurt, coconut and chocolate chips.
• Sugar-Free Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies – A quick chocolate cookie recipe from Brenda that starts with boxed cake mix.
• Small-Batch Air Fryer Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies – Another easy chocolate treat made with cake mix and just a few ingredients.

There’s something wonderfully satisfying about a simple little cake that doesn’t require layers, frosting or a long list of ingredients.

This one takes me right back to those Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cakes I loved years ago.

If you try this Easy Chocolate Chip Snack Cake, I’d love to hear how you liked it. And do you remember those old Snackin’ Cake mixes, too?