The ultimate decadent chocolate cake – and it’s foolproof! Our slow cooker chocolate lava cake is rich, gooey, and literally overflowing with fudge-y goodness!
Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake
There is nothing else that gets me excited dessert-wise like a decadent chocolate cake. The more chocolate, the more Hershey’s Kisses, the more fudge, the better! I even love cookies that are made with chocolate cake, like these Texas Sheet Cake Cookies!
We don’t eat out a lot, but when we do, I always have room for dessert. My sister and I joke that we were born with a second, “dessert stomach.”
Restaurant desserts can be hit or miss, but it’s hard to mess up a molten chocolate lava cake. That’s always a safe bet for a satisfying chocolate treat!
But you don’t have to wait for a night out to enjoy a drool-worthy chocolate lava cake — it’s actually super easy to make one at home in your crockpot!
This may or may not be a good thing…haha!
Related: When I’m feeling healthy, I whip up this super easy 2-minute Keto Chocolate Mug Cake!
Crockpot Lava Cake Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 box chocolate pudding mix
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- 1-2 cups chocolate chips
For your convenience in re-creating our Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake, I’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products we used. Disclosure policy available here.
How to Make Crockpot Lava Cake
First, watch our quick video demo to see how we made our slow cooker chocolate lava cake. Then keep reading for photo step-by-step directions. A free printable copy of the recipe is available at the bottom of the post.
Click video to play:
Before pouring your batter into the slow cooker, make sure that you’ve coated the dish liberally with non-stick cooking spray. This will keep the cake from sticking to the sides.
Add cake mix, milk, egg, oil, and pudding mix to slow cooker and stir until combined. Be sure to use a silicone tool that won’t scratch the sides.
Cover the top of the cake with chocolate chips – you don’t want to stir these.
Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours. Feel free to top with whipped cream or more fudge sauce!
Customize Your Crockpot Lava Cake:
- Make it gluten-free — Simply use a gluten free chocolate cake mix! Chocolate pudding mix should be gluten free, but check the ingredients just in case.
- Make it dairy free — Use your favorite non-dairy milk in place of the whole milk. We like cashew milk or coconut milk because of the rich flavor and creamy texture.
- Customize your cake — Try different types of chocolate chips, caramel chips, mini peanut butter cups, etc. Top your cake with chocolate syrup and whipped cream!
Get more recipes delivered right to your inbox each week!
Sign up for our weekly recipe share newsletter below – it’s fun and free!
[convertkit form=4956168]
More Crockpot Recipes
Grab a free printable copy of our Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake recipe:
If you like this recipe, rate it! We’d also love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix 15.25 oz
- 1 box instant chocolate pudding 3.9 oz
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups chocolate chips 1 (12oz) bag
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare your slow cooker by generously coating the inside with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, 1 1/4 cup milk, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer and beat on low for 1 minute. (For extra moist cake, add sour cream here).
- Increase speed to medium, continuing to mix for 2-3 minutes or until the batter is smooth and glossy.
- Pour the cake batter into prepared slow cooker.
- Spread chocolate chips on top of the cake. Do Not Stir.
- Place the lid on top of the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours or until the top of the cake is set.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More of our favorite crockpot desserts:
If you liked this crockpot chocolate lava cake, be sure to try more of our favorite crockpot treats!
Crockpot Maple & Pumpkin Slow Cooker French Toast
Crockpot Bread Pudding from InTheKidsKitchen.com
- Cowboy Caviar - March 24, 2023
- Bunny Bait - March 22, 2023
- 20 Thrifty Kitchen Hacks - March 21, 2023
Beth says
What size crock pot did you use for the Molten Lava Crock Pot cake?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Beth – We use a 6-qt in our recipes unless otherwise specified.
Cass says
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I would refrigerate leftovers!
Gayle says
Did you use milk chocolate chips for the crockpot molten cake recipe or semi-sweet chocolate chips? Also do you think it would change the outcome if I used a liner in my crockpot?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Gayle – you can use either type of chocolate chips you prefer. Both will taste fantastic! I don’t usually use a crockpot liner, but I think it should be fine. Hope this helps!
Tammy Johnson says
This is by far the easiest and according to my kids the best dessert. Easy enough that they can make it ( and my 10 yr. old has) trying it with sour cream and vanilla tonight, excited to see any difference. Thank you.
Victoria says
Can you use sugar free pudding mix to help lower the sugar/carb content?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Victoria – I haven’t tried it with sugar free, so I can’t say for sure. I think it *should* work.
Maryann says
Hi Stacey, Do you use 1 1/2 cups of milk or 1 1/4? Thanks Maryann
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Maryann – should be 1 1/4 cups. Good catch! 🙂
Heather says
Wanting to make this with plant based maybe oat or cashew milk not whole milk- any help or insight? Thank you
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I think that should be fine! I’m actually lactose intolerant, so I sub cashew milk for a lot of things!
Lisa says
Has anyone tried this with a different kind of pudding? Like the cheesecake pudding?
Cathy Rosales says
Hi. I want to make this for dessert tonight. Will 2% milk work instead of whole milk? I have used quite a few recipes of yours. They all turned out great! Thank you.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It should work! So glad you like our recipes 🙂
Casey says
This took closer to 3 hours in my crockpot but it was sooo good. My kids tore the whole crock pot up that night LOL Served hot with vanilla bean ice cream.
Joanna Noonan says
Hi Stacy I am going to a girls fun night out. My friends and I will be sitting around a campfire pitt. ☺️😌 I am going to try the slow cooker Lava cake.” Yum”I will let you know the reactions.
I recently lost my beloved husband. I’m baking to help fill in the gaps of loneliness, I crank up the music and head for my mixer.
With enthusiasm ,
Joanna N
Jackie V says
Made this today and my kids loved it. My recipe also took closer to 3 hours which only made the kids more anxious.
Aleta Freeman says
Can this recipe be doubled
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I would hesitate to double it because it might be too much depending on the size of your crockpot. Also, it would likely take longer to cook and I’m not sure of the exact time. It is possible, but I haven’t tried it. Let me know if you do!
ELLEN Roland says
Can I double this to feed a group?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It depends on the size of your slow cooker. If you have a large one you could probably double it.
Karen says
How long can this be kept after cooking? Stored in a fridge maybe? Thanks!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Yep, I would scoop any leftovers into a food storage container and keep in the fridge. Should be good for a day or two!
JOANNE says
Do you think I can double this recipe in a bigger crockpot? If so do I double cook time? Thanks!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I haven’t tried it, so I can’t confirm the cook time, but I would imagine you could double the recipe and keep an eye on it to see when it’s done.