Crockpot Lava Cake

4.80 from 15 votes
82 Comments

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Crockpot Lava Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream! Moist chocolate cake with gooey, fudgy filling, cooked magically in the slow cooker.

Crockpot Lava Cake in a bowl with ice cream and Rolo chocolate candies. Vanilla ice cream scoops on the side.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Crockpot Lava Cake
  2. Instructions for Layering
  3. How to Serve
  4. Tips for Perfect Lava Cake in the Slow Cooker
  5. Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Lava Cake
  6. More Chocolate Cake Recipes
  7. How to Make Crockpot Lava Cake
  8. Crockpot Lava Cake Recipe

Crockpot Lava Cake is one of my favorite hot fudge 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.

This crockpot chocolate lava cake gets its name because of the warm, liquid center. Using a Crockpot 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!

Ingredients in Crockpot Lava Cake

This slow-cooker chocolate lava cake is basically three layers of chocolatey goodness that bakes up beautifully in the crockpot. Here’s all you need:

Bottom Layer:

  • Parchment paper – you’ll use this on the bottom of the crockpot so the cake doesn’t stick (see picture below)
  • Devil’s Food Cake Mix – one box of your favorite brand of mix.
  • Milk – I use whatever I have in my fridge, but whole milk will give this cake an extra creamy and rich flavor.
  • Vegetable oil – half a cup.
  • 3 eggs – three large eggs, or four medium eggs for this cake.

Middle Layer:

  • Instant pudding mix – You’ll need one package of instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 ounces). You’ll whisk the pudding into the milk.
  • Milk – Again, use whatever you have on hand, but whole milk will make the pudding really rich and thick.

Top Layer:

  • Rolo mini candies – sprinkle unwrapped mini Rolo candies on top of the batter. You can use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or another favorite chocolate candy here.
Ingredients to make Crockpot Lava Cake including Rolos, chocolate pudding, milk, oil and Devil's Food cake mix.


Instructions for Layering

  1. After placing parchment paper in the bottom of the crockpot, mix together the cake mix, milk, oil and eggs in a large bowl. Then pour into the slow cooker.
  2. For the second layer, whisk the chocolate pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl, then pour the mixture on top of the cake batter.
  3. Finally, sprinkle the candies on top. DO NOT mix any of the layers together.
Covered Crockpot on low with unbaked Crockpot Lava Cake.

How to Serve

Spoon into individual ramekins or dessert dishes and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The cake takes about three to five hours to cook, depending on your slow cooker. Cake is ready when a toothpick placed in the center half way down comes out clean. When it’s all done, the top layer will become the middle and underneath will be a gooey, chocolate caramel sauce.

Tips for Perfect Lava Cake in the Slow Cooker

  • 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!
  • Slow-cooker chocolate lava cake cooks for 3 hours. The first hour on high, and then switch to low heat for the following 2 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.
Bowl of Crockpot Lava Cake next to the Crockpot and ice cream bowl with scoop.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Lava Cake

How should I store leftovers?

This cake stores nicely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To serve, remove from fridge and re-warm in the microwave.

Can I make a gluten-free version of this cake?

You can! Use a gluten-free Devil’s Food Cake mix. There are several options at your regular grocery store.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Yes, but you will need to use two crockpots. The mixture won’t cook correctly if the ingredients are doubled in the same slow cooker. We use a six quart crockpot for this recipe.

READ MORE:33+ Easy Dessert Ideas

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:

How to Make Crockpot Lava Cake

Crockpot Lava Cake in a bowl with ice cream and Rolo chocolate candies. Vanilla ice cream scoops on the side.

Crockpot Lava Cake

4.80 from 15 votes
This Crockpot Lava Cake is a chocolate lover's dream! Moist chocolate cake with gooey, fudgy filling, cooked magically in the Crockpot!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Video

Equipment

  • Crockpot

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.
    Crockpot with greased parchment paper for Crockpot Lava Cake.
  • 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.
    Crockpot with Chocolate cake mix layer on the parchment paper for Crockpot Lava Cake.
  • 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. DO NOT MIX IT IN.
    Chocolate pudding layer on top of the chocolate cake layer for Crockpot Lava Cake.
  • Carefully arrange a layer or Rolo mini candies over the top of that. DO NOT MIX IT IN.
    Rolos on the top layer of the crockpot for Crockpot Lava Cake.
  • Place lid on slow cooker and cook on high for the first hour, then switch to low heat for the following two hours. Cooking time will vary depending on your slow cooker, but we've found this method works very well.
    Covered Crockpot on low with unbaked Crockpot Lava Cake.
  • Cake is ready when a toothpick placed in the center half way down comes out clean.
    Hand poking toothpick in the center of the baked Crockpot Lava Cake.
  • When finished cooking, the top will become a layer of chocolate cake, and underneath will be a gooey, chocolate caramel sauce.
    Spoon scooping a serving of Crockpot Lava Cake.
  • Spoon into individual bowls, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
    Bowl of Crockpot Lava Cake with extra Rolos and vanilla ice cream next to the Crockpot.

Notes

    • Please don’t mix the layers! 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.
    • 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. 
    • We’ve tested cooking times since first publishing this recipe. Originally, we cooked this cake for 3-5 hours on low. Most people were finding it took closer to 5 hours. After testing, we recommend cooking the cake on high for 1 hour, and then reducing heat to low for 2 hours. 
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 8gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 616mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 1gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 561IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 189mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this recipe exact except i did not have iINSTANT pudding. I used a can of ComStocks Cherrie Pie filling. Sprinkled with semisweet chocolate chips. I used what I had on hand. It came out fantastic! Thank you for this great recipe.Yum

    1. 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!

    1. 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.

      1. 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!

  2. 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!

    1. I have never tried doubling it but I imagine that cooking time would be the same. Let me know how it turns out!

  3. 5 stars
    Excellent recipe!!!! My kids loves this cake very muchh. This cake is better also for for kids than others. Thanks alot!!!

    1. 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!

    1. 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.

  4. 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.

    1. I am having the same problem! It is taking way longer. Good to know I didn’t mess something up!

    2. 4 stars
      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

  5. 5 stars
    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!

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

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