Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake


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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.

lava cake in a slow cooker with a metal spoon in it.

What is lava 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. You may also like my easy slow cooker brownies, or slow cooker caramel cake recipes.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for lava cake on a table.
  • 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.
  • (The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images).

Step-by-Step Directions

Four images showing how to make lava cake in a slow cooker.

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!

lave cake in crock pot with a spoonful taken out.

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. We love adding strawberries to our slow cooker s’mores cake too.
bowl of lava cake with vanilla ice cream.

Recipe FAQs

Should I keep this crockpot chocolate lava cake in the slow cooker?

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.

How does the gooey center form?

The dollops of pudding are what help create the gooey center.

Should I line the slow cooker with parchment paper?

If you choose to use nonstick cooking spray you won’t need to.

How do I store leftovers?

You can simply cover the slow cooker with its top or transfer it to an airtight container.

What size slow cooker do I need for this dessert recipe?

A oval slow cooker works best for this so the cake portion gets cooked evenly.

lave cake in crock pot with a spoonful taken out.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake

4.67 from 15 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Three kinds of chocolate in this cake! Chocolate cake, chocolate chips and chocolate pudding.
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How to Video

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.

Sarah’s Notes

Nutritional Values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet. The values below are for 1/12 of the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 465mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 3.7mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More slow cooker dessert recipes like this one

Slow Cooker German Cake is rich and gooey with coconut, pecans, and melty chocolate.

Try Crockpot Reese’s Cake or Crockpot Better than Sex Cake for a truly indulgent slow cooker treat.

Butterfinger Cake and Hot Fudge Cake are chocolatey favorites, and don’t forget a drizzle of Slow Cooker Hot Fudge on top!

Other recipes you may like

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Recipe Rating




80 Comments

  1. TAMMY says:

    CAN YOU DOUBLE THIS RECEIPE IN A 5 QUART SLOW COOKER

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      No, it won’t set before the edges burn.

  2. Michelle says:

    Can I make this with cook & serve pudding?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I have not tried. Though I think after the slow cooker gets hot it would get the pudding to the right consistency.

  3. Gloria Goens says:

    Only one comment is rather like a review. Others are not commenting after having made the recipe. Where do you find the reviews?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi Gloria, this is where you find the reviews. There haven’t been many yet.

  4. Olivia says:

    Instead of chocolate chips how about caramels? Anyone tried this?

  5. sally smithson says:

    gonna make this today, so exited

  6. Dee says:

    I have someone allergic to Eggs can I substitute for Applesauce? If so, how much

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi Dee, I can’t say without trying. Though you can probably find online how much applesauce to use for eggs in a recipe.

  7. wgn says:

    Is there a good substitute to replace the egg in this recipe! Thank You

  8. Anonymous says:

    Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!

  9. John constable says:

    5 stars
    I’m in the UK and I’m having trouble Anglicising some of your ingredients. Any idea what I what get over here for ‘instant pudding’, canola oil , ‘chocolate fudge cake’ and semi-sweet chocolate?

    Thanks!

    1. Kath says:

      I’m in UK You can get the pudding from amazon. Semi sweet chocolate. Is cooking chocolate any supermarket. Chocolate fudge cake mix in store.

  10. Stephanie says:

    Dumb question, your recipe calls for 3.9 oz package of chocolate pudding. The large box that I have reads 2.1 oz, so I need two boxes which will be 4.2 oz?