Slow Cooker Molten Chocolate Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream! Moist chocolate cake with gooey, fudgy filling, cooked magically in the Crock Pot! 
Molten Chocolate Cake
Slow Cooker Molten Chocolate Cake is one of my favorite indulgences! Rich molten chocolate cake is a divinely decadent cake with a rich and creamy chocolate filling in the center. The liquid center can be chocolate, caramel, or any kind of fruit filling. It also goes by the name chocolate lava cake, or lava cake, because of the warm, liquid center. Using a Crock Pot makes it so easy to throw ingredients in and watch them transform into a beautiful layered dessert. Serve with whipped cream or a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream and you have a sinfully sweet treat that everyone will love!
Tips for Slow Cooker Molten Chocolate Cake
- Follow the layering instructions outlined in the recipe card below. I know it seems strange to put the filling ingredients on top, but trust me on this. During the cooking process, the top becomes the outer layer of the cake and the bottom becomes a gooey, chocolate caramel filling. It magically reverses during cooking!
- Be sure to follow the recipe exactly. The secret is not mixing the layers together, no matter how much you want to. Your slow cooker should look just like this photo below before putting the lid on to cook:
- Molten Chocolate Cake slow cooks for 3 hours. I like the convenience of being able to prepare this cake ahead and time it so we are ready for dessert right when the 3 hours are up. This also makes it a great dessert to have for hosting a shower, book club, or Bunco night. Rich chocolate fragrance fills the whole house while it’s cooking, which is one of my favorite parts!
- The ease and convenience of this recipe are a big bonus. Clean up is a breeze! Ingredients are layered in the slow cooker lined with parchment paper or a slow cooker liner, which keeps the sides from burning. If you have a slow cooker that tends to burn in one spot, you can place some aluminum foil under the parchment paper in that spot. Then the mess can all be crumpled up and thrown away when you are done.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes
If you love chocolate cake as much as we all do, here are a few of our favorite must-try recipes:
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Nothing Bundt Cake – A rich, moist, and delicious chocolate cake that tastes just like the cake you can buy from the Nothing Bundt Cake store.
- Carnival Cruise Warm Melting Cake– Have you tried the Carnival Cruise Line Warm Chocolate Melting Cake? If you’ve been on a Carnival Cruise, you know how decadent it is. If not, you can indulge in this decadent chocolate melting cake at home.
- Flourless Chocolate Cake– This Flourless Chocolate Cake is by far the easiest version I have ever made and it tastes just as good as more difficult recipes. It is light and decadent and has a rich chocolate flavor. And spread over the top is a silky smooth chocolate ganache.
- Chocolate Pudding Cake– This Chocolate Pudding Cake is probably the easiest chocolate cake recipe out there. There are only 4 ingredients!
- Better Than You Know What Cake – Turn a basic chocolate cake mix into a divine dessert. A chocolate cake filled with sweet, caramel filling and topped with toffee bars.
How to Make Slow Cooker Molten Chocolate Cake
Slow Cooker Molten Chocolate Cake is a chocolate lover's dream! Moist chocolate cake with gooey, fudgy filling, cooked magically in the Crock Pot!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 15 minutes
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
For the first layer:
- parchment paper
- 1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
For the second layer:
- 3.9 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix (1 package)
- 2 cups milk
For the top layer:
- 1 bag Rolo mini candies unwrapped
Instructions
- Cut out a large piece of parchment paper and place it in your slow cooker on low heat, then lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Mix together the cake mix, milk, oil, and eggs for the first layer and beat for two minutes. Pour into the parchment paper in the slow cooker.
- Mix together the instant pudding and milk and beat for two minutes, then carefully and evenly pour the pudding over the cake layer in the slow cooker- but DO NOT MIX IT IN!
- Carefully arrange a layer or Rolo mini candies over the top of that, but DO NOT MIX IT IN!
- Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for about 3 hours, cooking time will vary depending on your slow cooker. Cake is ready when a toothpick placed in the center half way down comes out clean.
- When finished cooking, the top will become a layer of chocolate cake, and underneath will be a gooey, chocolate caramel sauce.
- Spoon into individual bowls, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Equipment
- Crock Pot Slow Cooker
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 530mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 2.1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @favoritefamilyrecipes or tag #favoritefamilyrecipes!
Maureen says
Hi… Is it portable for the next day? Would you remove from crock and put in another container?
Emily says
That’s what I did, although there wasn’t much left, haha. I just put what was left in some tupperware in the fridge, then warmed it up in the microwave when we had it again.
Helen Hagel says
Trying this tonight for the first time – can’t wait. Was wondering though the size of the bag that you used of the Rolo Minis?
Emily says
I think it was 11 or 12 oz.
Debbie says
What size crockpot works best so it will cook evenly? Small round or larger oblong?
Emily says
I used a large oblong crock pot.
Cheryl says
How many quarts in a large crock pot?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Typically 8-quarts!
Cheryl Gamble says
Thanks. I’m currently at work and I entered this as a first time cook for this recipe. I’m FREAKING out. I followed the recipe EXACTLY and almost 3 hours it’s still SOUP! I went ahead and put it on high for an hour. Do you think that will just mess it up? HELP!!!!
Echo Blickenstaff says
I don’t think it will mess it up. Keep a close eye on it though so the sides don’t burn. It could have something to do with the crock pot heating element. It should be cooked completely on the top, but the bottom layer will have a hot fudge consistency.
Cheryl Gamble says
UPDATE!! After letting it “bake” one more hour on high, it actually came out quite tasty and to the consistency that it needed to be. I won 3rd place in our Thanksgiving “Crock-Pot Luck” Contest!! 🙂
Thank you for a wonderful recipe. I will most definitely make it again soon.
Valerie says
Do you mix up the cake as directed on the box and then add the milk, oil, and eggs? Same with the pudding mix.
Emily says
No, you just do the dry cake mix, and mix it up with the items I listed.
Molly says
Do you need a mixer or is it possible with a whisk and determination? Lol
Emily says
A whisk would work fine. 🙂
Paula Neils says
could you make this with different kinds of candy?
Emily says
I haven’t tried that but I don’t see why not. 🙂
Peggy says
Oh….small snickers might be good too! Yummy!!
Tia says
What would you do to make this in the oven instead of the crock pot?
Emily says
I haven’t tried cooking it in the oven, but I would try cooking it at 350 degrees and continually checking it until the center is set.
Sammie says
is this a cut table cake or more like amusing cake you would spoon out?
Emily says
It’s more like a cake that you would spoon out.
Carol says
If I assemble this on the crock pot on the morning, can I let it sit a few hours before I turn the crock pot on?
Erica Walker says
It isn’t recommended because it will be sitting at room temperature for a long time which increases the possibility of food bourne illness. Hope this helps!
Lori says
Can you use one of those crock pot liners instead of parchment paper?
Emily says
Yes, definitely.
Michelle says
Can you substitute a brownie mix for the cake mix
Emily says
I haven’t tried that. It wouldn’t have the same consistency.
Jennifer Quilter says
What could you use as a substitute for the rolo’s to make the sauce chocolate instead of caramel.
Emily says
You can do any kind of chocolate, chocolate chips work great.
Sofia says
how would modify the recipe, not having the ready dry mixes?
Emily says
You could use the dry ingredients of a homemade cake mix.
Melanie Wright says
What it the 1oz box of chocolate pudding mean, is that the packets of chocolate moose stuff ? Sorry for being a bit thick
Emily says
Pudding would be more similar to custard.
Caramel says
Could a slow cooker liner be substituted for the parchment paper?
Emily says
Yes
Becca Johnson says
Do you know if it’s possible to make this with a chocolate cake recipe? I don’t use cake box mixes and would prefer to use a homemade cake mix instead. Thank you!
Emily says
Yes, that would work fine.
Jackie says
made this yesterday and have leftovers for today ???? it’s delicious and will definitely be making it again
Janetta says
How many does it serve?
Shandra Madsen says
Oh, yum! I love caramel and chocolate. I am going to make this this weekend. We have been all about slow cooker recipes lately on our blog and this one will be a great one to try. Thanks for another great recipe 😉
Carrie McLaughlin says
Can I use almond milk instead of regular milk?
Erica says
We haven’t tried it that way before but you will probably be ok. Let us know if you try it and how it turns out!
Juanita says
I used almond milk and it turned out fine.
Nina says
On the pudding box it says if u use soy milk it will not thicken but I assume it would say the same for almond if that were to not work as well.
Peggy says
Thanks for the recipe. I just saw it posted by someone on facebook. Will definitely share! It looks so yummy!
Linda says
I cooked this exactly like the recipe. At three and a half hours it was still like soup. Continued on for another 30 minutes and still the same. I know crock pots are different but I would have thought that at least by 4 hours it would have set at least some, but it never did. Any suggestions on maybe what went wrong? We still loved it even though it was like pudding. Thank you very much.
Emily says
Sorry, I’m not sure what went wrong. Did you stir it all together?
Jill Loftus says
No parchment paper, no problem..I just used cooking spray on the crock pot. In addition, I couldn’t find the Rolos, so I went with Carmel Kisses.. yes a lot of unwrapping but oh so worth it.. my family and friends raved, (and drooled) and begged for more.
Erica says
So happy you liked it! Caramel kisses would be great! yum!
Brownie says
What is the pax for this recipe ?
Erica says
I’m not sure what you mean by “pax”? Can you elaborate?
Abby says
You were the hit of the potluck! My crockpot might be bigger; I accidentally made a family-sized pudding recipe and barely had enough to cover the cake layer. My temp might be different as well — it needed about 3.5 hours on low to set to my liking.
If anyone is on the fence about this, give it a go. Seriously, amazing. I was practically signing autographs and getting papped before the potluck was over. Thanks so much!
Echo says
That is fantastic! Thank you for sharing your experience with this recipe. I’m so glad it was a hit!
Trina says
4hrs on low & still not cooked! Will definitely give it longer next time!
Christine Galatis says
I am having the same problem! It is taking way longer. Good to know I didn’t mess something up!
Melissa says
it took about 5 + hours to cook!!!! I am thinking maybe you should tell us what size crockpot you used to have it cook in 3 hours!!!! although it took so much longer….it was quite delicious….I can’t wait to make it again…but this time I’m either going to have to start in many hours in advance or try a larger crock pot to do this recipe
Sonya says
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’m going to use sea salt caramels instead of Rolos, I hope it works. I love chocolate, caramel, and sea salt together. Could you substitute a white cake mix with vanilla pudding and peanut butter chips? I love peanut butter and white chocolate together too.
Echo says
The white cake mix with vanilla pudding and peanut butter chips should work great. It sounds delicious!
megan says
What could u substitute to make it white chocolate? White cake mix vanilla pudding but what candies?
Echo says
That’s a tough question. I think I would probably try white chocolate chips and caramel bits. The caramel bits can be found near the chocolate chips in most grocery stores. It sounds good – let me know how it turns out.
Judy says
Do you have to use parchment paper? I prefer just to spray crock pot?
Echo says
Yes, you can make this without the parchment paper if you prefer. Do spray the crock pot so it doesn’t stick to the sides. Thanks for asking!
Kathy says
Do you actually make the pudding, from directions or is the mix dry?
Echo says
The mix is dry when you add it with the 2 cups milk for the second layer. Thanks for asking!
Natalie says
Mine has been in there for 5 hours and still not cooked. Would it hurt to put it on high?
Erica says
You can try putting it on high to see if it cooks through faster. Are the edges cooked at all?
Christine Galatis says
I just put it on high after 3.5 hours. It is starting to cook faster.
CakenGifts.in says
Excellent recipe!!!! My kids loves this cake very muchh. This cake is better also for for kids than others. Thanks alot!!!
Anna says
Have you ever doubled the recipe. Does it come out ok
Anna says
Am I able to double the recipe? If so what are the cooking times. How many does it serve
Favorite Family Recipes says
I have never tried doubling it but I imagine that cooking time would be the same. Let me know how it turns out!
Carissa Nelson | Spoonful of Easy says
Love this! A great way to enjoy baked goods without heating up the kitchen. I’m excited to try it! Also great tip on lining the slow cooker with parchment paper — I love the liners but when we’re out of them I just resign myself to having to wash the insert. Great idea!
DSR says
Do you think this can be assembled in the crock and sit for several hours (cold) before cooking?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t tried this before, so I’m not sure how it would work. I would be worried that the layers would mix together while sitting and it wouldn’t have the right consistency.
DSR says
If i prepare separately and put into individual Tupperware and assemble later, do you think that would work?
Btw test running it tonight but subbing with gluten free cake mix & f/f lactaid milk!
Favorite Family Recipes says
That might work!! Let us know how it turns out!
Dawn says
Can you double the recipe for a large crowd
Favorite Family Recipes says
You can double it, but you will need two slow cookers. It won’t cook correctly in one slow cooker with double the ingredients. Thank you for asking!