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    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes

    Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake

    Modified: Oct 17, 2023 Published: Feb 21, 2023 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Chocolate crockpot lava cake is a delicious chocolatey dessert perfect for any occasion. Make a simple dessert feel like a luxury with basic ingredients and a few quick steps.

    Recipe: $4.10 | Per Serving: $0.51 | Servings: 8

    Crockpot filled with chocolate lava cake, powdered sugar and mixed red berries on top.

    Chocolate lovers everywhere can rejoice with this easy dessert recipe. Made with just a few simple ingredients and a moment of your time, you can have a warm, gooey chocolate lava cake in no time.

    While we usually bring out the crockpot for savory recipes like 3 Ingredient Crock Pot Pork Chops, Crockpot Chicken with Enchilada Sauce, or Slow Cooker Cabbage with Bacon, it's nice to switch things up a bit and invite a sweeter recipe into the mix.

    This recipe never lasts long around here, and it's not hard to see why. I say it feeds 8 servings, but I've also seen a crockpot of this cake get demolished by just me and the two kids, haha.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍨 Toppings
    • 🔪 Instructions for Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 🍳 Reheating
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Storage
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Cake Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. Simple ingredients. A box of prepared cake mix and a box of prepared pudding are all you really need to make this recipe, making it so simple and easy that even the kids can help you prep. We love Recipes with Boxed Cake Mixes, because they're so convenient!
    2. It's delicious. From the soft sponge chocolate cake to the gooey, rich chocolate chips and pudding, this cake has everything you could ever want in every scoop, except maybe a scoop of ice cream. (But you can add some Peanut Butter Mason Jar Ice Cream).
    3. It doesn't take very long! Unlike most slow cooker recipes that require you to wait practically overnight, this recipe is ready in about 2 hours! Prep dessert before you start making dinner, and by the time you've finished eating, dessert's ready to be served.

    🥘 Ingredients

    labeled ingredients needed to make chocolate lava cake in the crockpot.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Chocolate Cake Mix. You'll need a box of chocolate cake mix. Any brand or flavor will work, so if you want to use Devil's Food cake, feel free to do so. If you still have cake mix on hand, check out my Microwave Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes and Devil's Food Cake Mix Brownies.

    Instant Pudding Mix. You'll want to use a box of instant pudding mix (chocolate flavored). You can use a 3.4 ounce sized box or a 3.9 ounce sized box as there isn't a difference between the two when used.

    Milk. Cold whole milk will help to set the instant pudding properly, so use it as directed on the package.

    Chocolate Chips. If desired, add in some chocolate chips for added flavor and rich chocolatey goodness.

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    📖 Variations

    Flavor Swaps: You can swap out the chocolate cake mix and the instant pudding mix for different flavors to create new and exciting recipes! Vanilla cake, spice cake, banana pudding, butterscotch pudding, etc.

    🍨 Toppings

    You can serve your delicious chocolate cake with just about anything from ice cream to whipped cream, powdered sugar, and more.

    🔪 Instructions for Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake

    Step 1: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Set aside.

    cake mix ingredients in a bowl.

    Step 2: Add all of the ingredients needed to prepare the cake mix (according to the package directions) into a large mixing bowl.

    chocolate cake batter in a bowl.

    Step 3: Whisk together until well mixed. Set aside.

    pudding mix and milk in a bowl.

    Step 4: Add the cold milk and pudding mix into a large mixing bowl.

    chocolate pudding in a bowl.

    Step 5: Whisk together until all of the lumps are gone (or most of them). Let rest 3 minutes to thicken and set.

    chocolate pudding on top of chocolate cake batter in a greased crockpot.

    Step 6: Pour your prepared cake batter into the greased crockpot.

    Chocolate chips atop pudding over chocolate cake batter in crockpot.

    Step 7: Top with the pudding (placing it in the center) and then sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.

    cooked chocolate lava cake in a crockpot.

    Step 8: Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on High for 2-2.5 hours until done.

    chocolate lava cake in a crockpot with powdered sugar and red berries on top.

    Step 9: Garnish with fresh fruits and powdered sugar, if desired.

    Step 10: Scoop and serve warm. The lava should be pooled in the center, so you'll want to scoop some of that area out with every serving.

    Wooden spoon in chocolate lava cake, lifting up gooey piece to reveal molten chocolate.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    1. Monitoring Time: Towards the end of the cooking time in the crockpot, check on your cake to see if it's finished early or not. Different crockpots may run at different temperatures, so your cake may be done earlier than the 2-hour mark.
    2. Visual Cues: You'll know that your cake is finished when the cake batter portion no longer looks wet. Instead, it will have a matte finish on top, indicating that it's fully cooked.

    🍳 Reheating

    We had a lot of success reheating single sized servings of this lava cake on a plate in the microwave for about 1 minute.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

    If you don't finish all of the cake in one sitting, you can save the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I recommend eating the cake while it is freshest and warm, though, as that is when it will taste its best!

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Is lava cake raw in the middle?

    Lava cake is not raw in the middle. Traditional lava cake has a filling of chocolate ganache that, when heated, becomes a thick chocolate goo inside of the cake. We use chocolate pudding instead for similar results.

    Does leftover lava cake need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, this is a cake that should be kept stored in the fridge when not being eaten for food safety purposes.

    Are lava cakes cold or hot?

    These cakes are usually served hot or warm. They taste great at room temperature and chilled too, but the "lava" filling is best when warmed and runny.

    a hand holding up a white plate with a serving of chocolate lava cake on it.

    ❤️ More Delicious Cake Recipes

    • fudgy chocolate orange cake on a plate with slice missing.
      Chocolate Orange Cake
    • a layered tres leches cake with strawberries and red flowers.
      Tres Leches Layered Cake
    • sliced hidden rainbow heart chocolate bundt cake on a wooden cake stand and a plate below it.
      Rainbow Heart Cake
    • apple upside down cake sliced on a plate.
      Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake

    If you tried this Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    chocolate lava cake in a crockpot with powdered sugar a wooden spoon and red berries.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake

    Chocolate crockpot lava cake is a delicious chocolatey dessert perfect for any occasion. Make a simple dessert feel like a luxury with basic ingredients and a few quick steps.
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 672kcal
    Cost Recipe $4.10 / Serving $0.51
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker (6 quart or bigger)
    • Measuring Cups
    • Whisk
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Serving spoon

    Ingredients

    • 1 box (15.25oz) chocolate cake mix ($1.00)
    • 3 large eggs ($0.45)
    • 1 cup water ($0.00)
    • ½ cup vegetable oil ($0.35)
    • 2 cups cold milk ($0.40)
    • 1 box (3.4ounce) instant chocolate pudding mix ($0.83)
    • 1 cup chocolate chips, if desired ($1.07)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Set aside.
    • Add all of the ingredients needed to prepare the cake mix (according to the package directions) into a large mixing bowl.
    • Whisk together until well mixed. Set aside.
    • Add the cold milk and pudding mix into a large mixing bowl.
    • Whisk together until all of the lumps are gone (or most of them). Let rest 3 minutes to thicken and set.
    • Pour your prepared cake batter into the greased crockpot.
    • Top with the pudding (placing it in the center) and then sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.
    • Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on High for 2-2.5 hours until done.
    • Garnish with fresh fruits and powdered sugar, if desired.
    • Scoop and serve warm. The lava should be pooled in the center, so you'll want to scoop some of that area out with every serving.

    Notes

    • Experiment with different flavors by swapping chocolate cake mix and instant pudding mix with alternatives like vanilla cake, spice cake, banana pudding, butterscotch pudding, etc.
    • Check the cake towards the end of the cooking time in the crockpot, as it may finish earlier due to varying crockpot temperatures.
    • The cake is done when the cake batter portion appears dry and has a matte finish on top.
    • Reheat single servings of the lava cake on a plate in the microwave for about 1 minute.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, though it's best enjoyed fresh and warm.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 672kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 700mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg
    Author Nicole Durham
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Diet Vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

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    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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