If there’s one dessert that’ll win the hearts of chocolate lovers everywhere, it’s Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake. With its warm, fudgy center and irresistible gooey texture, this treat is absolute indulgence, all with the convenience of a slow cooker. Whether you’re planning a cozy night in or seeking a crowd-pleaser for your next gathering, this cake is pure chocolatey bliss in every bite. Plus, it comes together with simple pantry staples for a show-stopping finish that dazzles every time.

Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake couldn’t be easier, and every ingredient pulls its weight in building flavor, texture, and pure chocolate comfort. Grab these basics, and you’re just hours away from dessert magic.

Chocolate Cake Mix (15.25 oz box): The backbone of your cake, for a guaranteed tender and moist crumb, every single time.
Large Eggs (3): Essential for structure, these help the cake hold together while staying soft and rich.
Vegetable Oil (1/2 cup): Brings delightful moisture and a light mouthfeel to the cake base.
Water (1 1/4 cups): Keeps the cake mix batter perfectly pourable—and helps bake it up just right in the crockpot.
Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix (3.9 oz package): For that signature gooey “lava” layer that makes every scoop magical.
Whole Milk (2 cups): Adds creaminess and intensifies both cake and pudding flavors for ultra richness.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1 1/2 cups): These melt to form pockets of molten chocolate, giving you pools of gooey goodness.
Nonstick Cooking Spray: Ensures your gorgeous cake doesn’t stick—making cleanup a breeze after you’ve devoured every bite.
Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream (for serving, optional): The classic finishing touch for something extra creamy and celebratory.

How to Make Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake

Step 1: Prep the Crockpot

Start by giving the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker a thorough coat of nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step makes sure your Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake lifts out with ease and keeps the sides perfectly soft, never stuck.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Beat everything together until your batter is smooth and lump-free—imagine fluffy goodness just waiting to become cake. Pour this batter right into the bottom of your prepared slow cooker and gently smooth it out with a spatula.

Step 3: Prepare the Pudding Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and whole milk. Keep whisking until it’s smooth, glossy, and beautifully chocolatey—the mixture should be luxurious and free of any lumps.

Step 4: Layer the Pudding Over the Cake Batter

Carefully pour the pudding mixture over your cake batter in the slow cooker. Don’t stir! The magic of Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake is in the layers—the pudding will naturally seep through and create that oozy, molten center as it cooks.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate Chips

Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly across the top. As the cake bakes, these melt into gooey pools, giving you that signature lava effect in every spoonful.

Step 6: Cook to Gooey Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set it to high. Let your Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake cook for 2 to 2.5 hours, until the sides are set and the center is still perfectly gooey and shiny. Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the cake set for about 15 minutes before serving. This rest makes slicing (or scooping!) easier without sacrificing that molten middle.

How to Serve Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake

Garnishes

A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream on top creates the ultimate hot-and-cold sensation, offsetting all that warm, gooey chocolate with cool, sweet creaminess. For a dash of elegance, add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or a sprinkle of shaved chocolate, and maybe even a few fresh raspberries for color and tang.

Side Dishes

This decadent dessert really shines all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with fresh berries, a simple fruit salad, or a handful of toasted nuts for a bit of crunch. Strong coffee or an espresso elevates each bite, balancing out the rich flavors for a satisfying finish.

Creative Ways to Present

Take Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake to the next level by serving it in fancy dessert glasses or ramekins for a dinner party. For a playful twist, try layering it into parfaits with crushed cookies and berries. You can even serve mini scoops in tart shells for fun, bite-sized lava cake treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you miraculously have leftovers, transfer the cooled Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The pudding layer may thicken as it cools, but you’ll still get plenty of chocolatey decadence in every serving.

Freezing

For longer storage, portion the cooled cake into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best flavor and texture preservation.

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-from-the-crockpot lava experience, warm individual servings in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until heated through and the chocolate chips are deliciously melty again. Just be sure not to overheat, or you’ll lose that lovely gooey center!

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! While classic chocolate makes for the richest Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake, you can try devil’s food, chocolate fudge, or even experiment with red velvet for a fun twist. Just know that the flavor and color will change a bit, but the recipe will still work beautifully.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes—just use your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix and double-check that your pudding mix and chocolate chips are certified gluten-free. Otherwise, the process is exactly the same and you’ll end up with an equally decadent treat.

Do I need to stir the layers together?

Nope! One of the best parts of Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake is that you simply layer the pudding on top of the cake batter and do not stir. This ensures the layers will bake up distinct, giving you that luscious, lava-like pocket in the middle.

My cake looks runny in the middle. Is that normal?

Yes, that’s totally normal! The center of the cake should be gooey and molten—that’s the signature of a proper lava cake. If the edges are set and the center still jiggles, you’ve nailed it.

Can I double the recipe for a big group?

You can, especially if your crockpot is an 8-quart or bigger model. Keep an eye on the cook time, as a larger cake may take a bit longer to set around the edges. Just remember not to fill the slow cooker more than two-thirds full for best results.

Final Thoughts

There’s something pure and joyful about digging into a warm Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake, right out of the slow cooker. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try—whether you’re sharing it with family, friends, or just treating yourself, every spoonful promises comfort and chocolate happiness. Happy slow cooking!

Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate slow-cooked chocolate dessert with this Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake recipe. Rich, gooey, and utterly decadent, it’s the perfect treat for any chocolate lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups water

Pudding Layer:

1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 oz)
2 cups whole milk

Topping:

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
nonstick cooking spray
vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Make Cake Batter: In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, and water until smooth. Pour into the slow cooker.
Prepare Pudding: In another bowl, combine pudding mix and milk. Pour over the cake batter without stirring.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle chocolate chips over the mixture.
Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2.5 hours until set around the edges but gooey in the center.
Rest and Serve: Turn off the slow cooker and let the cake rest for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Cooking times may vary depending on the slow cooker.
For a richer flavor, consider using dark chocolate chips or a chocolate fudge cake mix.
Best served warm directly from the slow cooker.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American