Better Than Anything Cake

My English teacher (Mama Hogg) gave me this recipe to try out to possibly use as a part of one of our class meals. When I tried it at home my family and some our "adopted" babies - my brothers friends - said that it was "better than anything". So came the name. My class now requests it on a regular basis and there is always a pan full on my kitchen counter.

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 12-16
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1 (18 ounce) box  yellow cake mix or 1 (18 ounce) box  chocolate cake mix
• 3  eggs (or as called for by your cake mix)
• 1⁄3 cup  oil (or as called for by your cake mix)
• 1 1⁄3 cups water (or as called for by your cake mix)
• 1 (16 ounce) bottle  chocolate syrup
• 1 (16 ounce) bottle  caramel ice cream topping (like you drizzle on ice cream, I use Hershey's)
• 1 (3 1/2ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix
•  Cool Whip
• 1 (16 ounce) bag  semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Bake cake as directed on box in an 9x13-inch pan and cool to room temperature.
2. Using a fork, poke holes in top of cake pour on chocolate and caramel syrups to taste.
3. Refrigerate for an hour.
4. Pour a layer of chocolate pudding over the cake.
5. Top with Cool Whip and garnish with chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.