Easy cake recipes like this Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake make dessert time fun and tasty. This lava cake calls for just a few ingredients with a short cooking time, meaning you’ll be ready to serve this dessert in no time.
If you like ooey gooey cakes then you should also try my Slow Cooker Apple Dump Cake and my Slow Cooker Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
What is lave cake?
A lava cake gets its name from having a “molten” center. These are typically made with chocolate cake and chocolate pudding, which is one of the primary ingredients to create a runny center. As decadent as these cakes can look, they are actually fairly easy to make, especially when using your slow cooker.
The cooking process is easy to follow and all you need are just a few kitchen and pantry staple ingredients. Making a Slow Cooker Hot Fudge Cake is one way to satisfy a sweet tooth and please a crowd simultaneously.
Keep reading to see just how easy it is to make your own lava cake with rich flavor.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix – Betty Crocker is the go-to cake mix I like to choose. It is super moist and you can get the chocolate fudge kind too.
- Cake Mix-ins – These are the ingredients needed according to the cake mix box. So you’ll need large eggs, oil, and you will also add in freshly brewed coffee.
- Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix – All you need for the instant pudding mix is milk. I like to use the Jello O pudding mix brand.
- Milk – Added to the pudding mix.
- Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips – These are used to create an additional chocolately layer on top. You can also use milk chocolate chips.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Grease the slow cooker first. You will not regret taking the time to do this. There will be way less sticking if you spray the bottom and sides of the slow cooker with a non-stick spray such as PAM. Start by mixing the cake mix, eggs, oil, and coffee; some lumps are okay. Lumps happen with cake mixes, you for sure don’t want to overmix the batter. Pour the cake mix layer into the slow cooker.
Step Two – Next, mix the pudding and milk and dollop on top of the cake batter.
Step Three – Sprinkle over the chocolate chips.
Step Four – I cook this cake for 3 hours on HIGH. It may look raw in the middle, but that is the pudding. Serve and enjoy!
How to serve:
- This is the perfect dessert to serve warm right out of the slow cooker.
- Eating lava cake with a topping of vanilla ice cream or whipping cream is a must! You can also sprinkle chocolate chips on top along with a dash of powdered sugar and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Sliced strawberries are an excellent garnish for any chocolate recipe! Not only is it pretty but tastes great too.
Recipe FAQs
You can but once cooking time is done, turn off the slow cooker. You don’t want to continue cooking this cake; it will burn even on a warm setting.
The dollops of pudding are what help create the gooey center.
If you choose to use nonstick cooking spray you won’t need to.
You can simply cover the slow cooker with its top or transfer it to an airtight container.
A oval slow cooker works best for this so the cake portion gets cooked evenly.
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Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
For the cake layer:
- 15.25 oz. Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 1/4 cup freshly brewed coffee, let cool down a bit, water can be used here instead if desired
For the pudding layer:
- 3.9 oz. instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
For the third layer:
- 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- In a medium-sized bowl add the cake mix, eggs, and oil. Start blending with a hand mixer for a few seconds before adding the coffee. Slowly add the coffee and finish blending. Do not over blend, some lumps are fine.
- In another bowl mix the pudding mix and milk until combined. Let thicken for a few minutes.
- Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray. Add the cake batter. Then add the pudding by dropping dollops over the cake mix. Spinkle over the chocolate chips.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Can this recipe be doubled, if so how long to cook without over cooking the bottom?
Hi! I’ve never had luck doubling cakes or egg dishes in the crockpot. They burn before the insides are near done.
This was okay. Not as rich or fantastic as I’d hoped.
Hi there
Can u use sugar free pudding mix and maybe dark chocolate chips to cut down on sugar
Yes, that should work fine!
Can you double the ingredients to make a double batch?
I’m unsure if the cake part would set where it needs to. I usually don’t recommend doubling cake recipes in the slow cooker. They tend to burn before the center cooks.
What can I substitute for coffee please
water, that’s what is normally used for the box mix.
How do you store uneaten/leftover lava cake?
You can put the entire slow cooker insert in the fridge. Or scoop into containers.
Can I use reg pudding?
Yes, should do fine.
Can u make this with white cake and vanilla pudding and white chocolate
I have not tried, but I don’t see why not!
I was just thinking the same thing!! I am going to try it!!
I have a4 qt and a 7 qt slow cooker. Which should I use?
Hi do you put a cloth under lid to stop condensation dripping into cake mixture?
Looking forward to making this
Hi, I’ve never had a problem with much condensation. You can if you want though.
CAN YOU DOUBLE THIS RECEIPE IN A 5 QUART SLOW COOKER
No, it won’t set before the edges burn.
Can I make this with cook & serve pudding?
I have not tried. Though I think after the slow cooker gets hot it would get the pudding to the right consistency.
Only one comment is rather like a review. Others are not commenting after having made the recipe. Where do you find the reviews?
Hi Gloria, this is where you find the reviews. There haven’t been many yet.
Instead of chocolate chips how about caramels? Anyone tried this?
gonna make this today, so exited