This Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake is the perfect cool dessert for the winter season. This simple to make dessert goes great with ice cream, fresh fruit or caramel.

A breeze in in the air, which means I am busting out my slow cooker. This Slow Cooker Lava Cake uses few ingredients, super simple to make and is so moist. The cake uses boxed pudding and cake mixes making it perfect for busy parents and fun for kids to help make. I love making this chocolate lava cake in my Ninja Foodi, but a traditional crockpot can be used as well.
This crockpot cake is easy to customize and you can create endless flavor combinations with different pudding, cake or toppers. Too much lava cake and can't eat it all in time (said no one lol)? This cake can be frozen to be enjoyed for months, meaning cake is always on the menu.
Ingredient Notes
- Instant Pudding Mix: I just use a standard chocolate pudding mix. You can use a dark chocolate mix or try a different fun flavor like Cookies and Cream or Vanilla to shake up your lava cake.
- A Chocolate Cake Mix: Again, plain chocolate cake mix will work perfect, but you could use any variety or brand of chocolate boxed cake mix you wish. Of course, you could shoot for the stars and make a cake mix from scratch as well.
- Chocolate Chips: I used dark chocolate chips because I am obsessed with them and I wanted to make the cake more rich. You could use milk chocolate, semi-sweet or mini chocolate chips for this chocolate lava cake recipe.
Why You'll LOVE It
Super Simple: Boxed Cake and Pudding Mixes make this Cake SO EASY!
Customizable: Use different pudding and cake mixes for fun combos
Great for Kids: This recipe is perfect for making with kiddos
Instructions
Preparing the Pudding
In one large prep bowl prepare the chocolate pudding according to the package directions. Once prepared set it aside.
Preparing the Cake Mix
In a separate large prep bowl prepare the boxed chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions. Depending on the cake mix you buy it may call for a different amount of oil, water and eggs than what I used. Please refer to the box to double check that they are the same. If they are not the same go with what your particular box calls for. Once the cake mix is combined set it aside.
Layering the Cake
Spray you slow cooker with cooking spray or use a liner. Once prepared, pour the chocolate cake mix in. Next use a spoon to scoop in several scoops of chocolate pudding dispersing over the top of the cake mix. Finally, Cover the entire top of the cake with chocolate chips.
Cooking the Lava Cake
If using a standard crockpot, cook on HIGH for 3 hours. If using a Ninja Foodi, press START, then SLOW COOK and set the TEMP to high. Next, set the TIME to 2-3 hours and press START. I have found the Ninja Foodi cooks the cake fast than a traditional crockpot, so start with 2 hours, check it and if it needs more time let it go for the full 3 hours.
Finishing Touches
Once your chocolate lava cake is complete, scoop out your desired amount with a large spoon and serve warm. The cake should be extremely moist and gooey. The cake may look raw in the middle, but it is the pudding and okay to eat. Serve with ice cream, fresh fruit, hot fudge or caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Serving Ideas
I love serving my crockpot lava cake with a boat load of toppers. Of course you could enjoy it on its own, but come on you know you want the extras! Some great toppers include fresh fruit like strawberries, ice cream, hot fudge, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, caramel sauce, chocolate chip cookies, candy like M&M's, some jelly or jam (trust me it is super good), or some sprinkles.
Leftover Storage Instructions
Store leftover pudding cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm before serving.
FAQS
Sure, you could use any variety of cake mix or pudding mix you wish to make a fun customcrockpot cake. Obviously, they will taste different and not be the classic chocolate, but the cook and prep will be very similar to the recipe instructions. Some fun flavor variations to try are lemon cake plus vanilla pudding, strawberry cake plus cheesecake pudding, or vanilla cake with banana pudding.
Yes, the cooked pudding cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place the cake in a freezer safe container and store flat. When ready to enjoy let come to room temperature or microwave until warm.
You can make the pudding and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Do NOT prep the cake mix ahead of time. The raw eggs will get really gross and the cake will not react chemically correct when cooking it.
Since the whole concept of lava cake is to have a gooey, and oozy center the cake meant to be served warm. You can technically still eat it cold, but it will not have the same effect, or taste as good as when it is warm.
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Happy Eating!
Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 3.6 oz Boxed Chocolate Pudding Mix
- 2 cups Milk
- 15.2 oz Boxed Chocolate Cake Mix
- 3 Eggs
- ½ cup Vegetable Oil
- ¼ cup Water
- 12 oz Chocolate Chips
Optional for Serving
- Fresh Fruit
- Ice Cream
- Hot Fudge
- Caramel Sauce
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
- In one large prep bowl prepare the chocolate pudding according to the package directions my combined the milk and pudding mix. Once prepared set it aside.
- In a separate large prep bowl prepare the boxed chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions. Depending on the cake mix you buy it may call for a different amount of oil, water and eggs than what I used. Please refer to the box to double check that they are the same. If they are not the same go with what your particular box calls for. Once the cake mix is combined set it aside.
- Spray you slow cooker with cooking spray or use a liner. Once prepared, pour the chocolate cake mix in. Next use a spoon to scoop in several scoops of chocolate pudding dispersing over the top of the cake mix. Finally, Cover the entire top of the cake with chocolate chips.
- If using a standard crockpot, cook on HIGH for 3 hours. If using a Ninja Foodi, see below for more detailed instructions.
- Once your chocolate lava cake is complete, scoop out your desired amount with a large spoon and serve warm. The cake should be extremely moist and gooey. The cake may look raw in the middle, but it is the pudding and okay to eat. Serve with ice cream, fresh fruit, hot fudge or caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Leftover Storage: Store leftover lava cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm before serving.
Laura
Yes! This with caramel sauce drizzled over the top. It's crazy good. Doing it in the slow cooker is a great way to keep the dessert from taking up all the space in the fridge during at dinner party.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Oh yeah caramel goes bomb with this cake!
Sisley White
Oh wow this is perfect. I can't wait to this. Molten chocolate has my name on it.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Enjoy!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter
What an absolute genius idea to make cake in a slow cooker! Absolutely love it and can't wait to try it this weekend! xx
Caitlyn Erhardt
I hope you love it!
Jen
This is the perfect sweet treat to satisfy a chocolate craving! Thanks for all of your toppings ideas. Strawberries sound delightful with this. Yum!
Caitlyn Erhardt
I love adding strawberries to mine, cuts through all the chocolate!
Sue
Lava cake is so delicious - I love that this one can be made in a slow cooker!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Yep, so simple!
Mahy
Oh wow, I can only imagine how delicious this cake is - the texture is magnificent and the instructions make it so easy... I am sure it is!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Thank you! It is super moist and packed with flavor!