Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake

Updated Apr 28, 2026

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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 dessert in no time.

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

Featured Comment

Made it for my husband’s birthday, which is Valentines Day, and it was great! I served it with vanilla ice cream and it was soooo delicious.
– marcia

84 More Reviews

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.

Key Ingredients

Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix – Betty Crocker is the go-to cake mix I like to choose. It is super moist,

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 (instead of water).

Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix – All you need for the instant pudding mix is milk. I like to use the Jello-O pudding mix brand.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – These are used to create an additional chocolately layer on top. You can also use milk chocolate chips.

chocolate cake mix batter with pudding mix dollops on it.

chocolate chips on top of cake mix in a slow cooker.

How to Make Slow Cooker Lava Cake

Mix the cake batter with eggs, oil, and coffee.
Dollop on the pudding and sprinkle chocolate chips.
Let the slow cooker work its magic for a rich, molten treat.

lave cake in crock pot with a spoonful taken out.

How to Serve Lava Cake

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.

Sarah’s Tips

Line the Slow Cooker: If you are worried about sticking you can use a slow cooker liner or parchment paper.

Keeping the Cake Warm: You’ll want to serve this cake warm and not keep the slow cooker on, the edges will burn if kept on.

Different Cake Mix Flavors: Try devil’s food, German chocolate, or even a red velvet cake mix for fun twists.

Pudding Flavor Swaps: Vanilla, butterscotch, or cheesecake pudding can change up the “lava” layer.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

4.69 from 16 votes

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 3

Total Time: 3 15

Servings:

By: Sarah Olson

This Crockpot Lava Cake has three kinds of chocolate. Great for parties.

Rate Pin Print

How to Video

Equipment

Slow Cooker – 5 quart or larger (I own and use this one from Crock-Pot)

Ingredients

For the cake layer:

▢ 15.25 oz. Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix, (I used Betty Crocker)
▢ 3 eggs
▢ 1/2 cup oil
▢ 1 ¼ 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. Sprinkle over the chocolate chips.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.