Slow cooker chocolate lava cake is a decadent dessert that requires minimal effort! Use simple ingredients like chocolate cake mix and pudding to make a moist chocolate cake with a gooey, molten center.
Lava cake is a dessert served at fancy restaurants, but with my shortcuts, you can easily make it at home. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true, with an ooey-gooey center that oozes out when you dig in with your spoon.
And it is easy, too. I’m talking about “dump-and-go” level simplicity here. The slow cooker does all the work for you, leaving you free to tackle other tasks (or kick back and relax) while your dessert cooks.
Impress your family with this show-stopping dessert. With its rich chocolate flavor and gooey center, it will have everyone asking for seconds. Follow along for the simple ingredients and easy step-by-step instructions.
If you love chocolate as much as I do, you will love these chocolatey treats! Try homemade chocolate pudding, Coca-Cola double chocolate fudge cake, or chocolate M&M dump cake.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Chocolate cake mix
- Milk: Use whole milk for a gooey, lava-like center.
- Oil
- Eggs
- Instant chocolate pudding mix: Make sure you use instant pudding mix, not the cook-and-serve variety.
🥣How to Make Slow Cooker Lava Cake
- First things first, prep your slow cooker. You can give it a quick spray with cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up.
- Combine the cake mix, 1 cup of milk, oil, and eggs. Mix it all together until you have a smooth, lump-free batter. Pour that glorious chocolate goodness into your prepared slow cooker and spread it evenly.
- Whisk together the instant pudding mix and the remaining milk in another bowl until it’s smooth and clump-free.
- Pour the pudding mixture directly into the center of the cake batter in the slow cooker—do not mix it in! This is what creates that magical lava center.
- Put the lid on your slow cooker and cook it on low for 3 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the edges of the cake are set and spongy, but the center is still slightly jiggly.
🍴Serving Ideas
Serve this slow cooker chocolate lava cake warm, scooping up plenty of that gooey pudding lava from the center. While it’s absolutely delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to take it to the next level.
- Top your warm lava cake with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a classic combo. The contrast between the cool, velvety ice cream and the rich, gooey chocolate is simply irresistible. If you feel extra decadent, drizzle on hot fudge sauce or caramel for an over-the-top treat.
- Fresh berries, like strawberries or raspberries, add a pop of color and a bright, tangy flavor that beautifully complements the rich chocolate. For a gourmet touch, you can even garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
- For a crunchy texture contrast, sprinkle on some chopped nuts, like pecans or hazelnuts, or even some crushed toffee bits. The possibilities are endless!
If you love chocolate try this delicious chocolate mochi!
💭How to Store
Transfer any leftover cake to an airtight container. You can keep your lava cake in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to indulge again, scoop a portion and reheat it in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds.
The longer you store your lava cake, the more the pudding center will absorb into the cake. It’ll still taste amazing, but it might not have that same oozy, lava-like texture as when fresh. But hey, chocolate cake is chocolate cake, right?
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Use a slow cooker liner or generously grease your slow cooker to prevent the cake from sticking. You don’t want to spend hours scrubbing burnt-on chocolate!
- When pouring in the pudding mixture, keep it as centered as possible. This helps create that gooey, molten center.
- If unsure if your lava cake is done, gently shake the slow cooker. If the edges are set but the center jiggles slightly, it’s ready!
- Try different cake mix flavors, like red velvet, devil’s food, or German chocolate. You can also switch up the pudding flavor – try butterscotch, white chocolate, or cheesecake for a fun twist!
⭐Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!
Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix 13.25 ounces
- 3 cups whole milk divided
- 1/2 cup oil
- 3 eggs
- 4 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker with cooking spray or a slow cooker liner.
- In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, 1 cup of milk, oil, and eggs, then mix until the cake batter is smooth and without clumps.1 box chocolate cake mix, 3 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup oil, 3 eggs
- Add the cake batter to the slow cooker.
- In another bowl, mix the pudding with the remaining milk and whisk until smooth and clump-free.4 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix
- Pour the pudding mix into the slow cooker right in the middle, and do not mix.
- Cook on low for 3 hours or until the sides of the cake are spongy.
- Serve the cake, scooping up some of the pudding lava and topping it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Use a slow cooker liner or generously grease your slow cooker to prevent the cake from sticking.
- When pouring in the pudding mixture, keep it as centered as possible.
- If unsure if your lava cake is done, gently shake the slow cooker. If the edges are set but the center jiggles slightly, it’s ready!
- Try different cake mix flavors, like red velvet, devil’s food, or German chocolate. You can also switch up the pudding flavor – try butterscotch, white chocolate, or cheesecake for a fun twist!
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
