Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake is a delicious chocolate cake with a bed of warm fudge sauce hidden beneath. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert!
You may be asking yourself, ‘a cake in a crock pot?’ Yes, I know it might seem a little outlandish, but this dessert is so amazing you need to try it before you knock it! I am sure that you and your family have at least been out for dinner and ordered a molten lava cake for dessert. It usually comes out in a small, single serving bowl enough for everyone to have a bite or two. My Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake turns your entire slow cooker into a chocolate lava pool! This dessert goes a long way so that everyone can enjoy their own big serving!
CROCK POT CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE
Have you ever had that one dessert where you know it’s too good to be true? This, my friends, is that dessert. This wonderful lava cake is so delicious and easy to make. All the ingredients are dumped right in and then the slow cooker does the rest of the work! Baking cake in the crock pot is one of the best ways to do it, because it will cook slowly and evenly. The combination of the fluffy chocolate cake and warm fudge hidden beneath makes for an unforgettable treat!
INGREDIENTS
Chocolate Cake
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk (I use 2%)
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- ½ Tablespoon vanilla extract
Fudge Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 1/4 cups boiling water
INSTRUCTIONS
Chocolate Cake
Grease the insert of a large (5 to 7-quart) crock pot with cooking spray. Mix the sugar, flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk in milk, melted butter, and vanilla until combined. Spread the batter evenly in the bottom of the greased crock pot insert.
Fudge Sauce
Whisk both sugars and unsweetened cocoa together. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the cake batter. Carefully pour the boiling water evenly over the top. DO NOT STIR! Cover with lid and cook on high heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours OR cook on low heat for 3 ½ to 4 hours. When a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out mostly clean it is ready. Turn off heat and remove the lid. Allow cake to sit for 15 minutes or until it has cooled down slightly. Serve warm cake with whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
SERVINGS
This recipe yields 8 servings. For my family of 5 that is more than enough for all of us to enjoy a very healthy serving of dessert. Kale, and Kallen, always go back for a second round and there is always plenty for that. This is a great dessert to make for a small birthday celebration, or if you plan to have a couple of friends over for dinner!
TOPPINGS
Vanilla ice cream and whipped cream are my favorite toppings for this lava cake, but the sky is the limit! Top it with any of your favorite cake toppings such as: caramel sauce, sprinkles, chopped nuts, etc.
ENJOY THIS RECIPE? HERE ARE A FEW MORE OF MY FAVORITE CHOCOLATEY DESSERTS!
Easy Chocolate Lava Cakes – A personalized version of the rich and warm chocolatey dessert.
Marshmallow Chocolate Cookies – A soft chocolate cookie that is topped with a fluffy marshmallow and chocolate drizzle.
Chocolate Fudge Brownies – Rich, dense, and fudgy chocolate brownies that are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face.
Chocolate Cupcakes with Oreo Buttercream – Soft and fluffy chocolate cupcakes with a buttercream infused with bits of Oreo cookies.
Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1/2 cup milk (I use 2 %)
- ½ Tablespoon vanilla extract
Fudge Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ¼ cups boiling water
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- Grease the insert of a large (5 to 7-quart) crock pot with cooking spray. Mix the sugar, flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk in milk, melted butter, and vanilla until combined. Spread the batter evenly in the bottom of the greased crock pot insert.
Fudge Sauce
- Whisk both sugars and unsweetened cocoa together. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the cake batter. Carefully pour the boiling water evenly over the top. DO NOT STIR! Cover with lid and cook on high heat for 2 to 2 ½ hours OR cook on low heat for 3 ½ to 4 hours. When a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out mostly clean it is ready.
- Turn off heat and remove the lid. Allow cake to sit for 15 minutes or until it has cooled down slightly. Serve warm cake with whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
*Recipe updated 4/6/24*
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I just had to wipe the drool from my chin….I want this! This is on my to-make list!
Cake in a crockpot? That’s something I’ve never tried but this looks sooooo good I’m going to have to!
I’ve never done anything like this in a crockpot but you’ve definitely convinced me that I need to! I am loving the way this looks and it sounds so easy. Can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jennifer
Hi! Just passing through, but wanted to say this looks divine! Thank you for sharing, I am making pork carnitas in my crockpot tonight, but I think this is going on the menu next week!
-Aimee
Definitely need to make this!!
This looks awesome! I wish I hadn’t broken my crockpot! When I see recipes like this it makes me think it’s time to invest in a new one.
– Maggie
Wow! That looks so yummy! I have never used my crockpot to bake. I have seen recipes to do it before but they never looked tempting enough, until now! I will be trying this soon!
So happy I found your blog! I am enjoying many of your recipes!
That looks so so good. Molten lava cake has been on my list for a while and I just may have to give this a shot. It looks delicious!
My mouth seriously just wet itself! That looks completely amazing!!! Beautiful picture too 🙂
I would have never thought to make cake in the Crock Pot… I am definitely making this!
I want to jump through the screen and eat this!! YUMMERS.
That looks so good. I want so right now. I have never made a cake in the crockpot. This looks like it turned out great. Amazing pictures!
That looks so good. I want so right now. I have never made a cake in the crockpot. This looks like it turned out great. Amazing pictures!
Looks amazing! I love Molten Lava cakes!! Thanks for this one!
oh my! this sounds absolutely divine!
Thanks,Holly! Now, I will have to postpone my diet another week! If I make this because it’s just the two of us, it will take many days to eat all of this:)!!!
Woah, this looks insanely good! I’d love to dig into it. And how easy that you can put it in the crockpot! I’m saving this recipe!
O..this looks incredible!!!! I agree Chili’s molten choc cake is one of my most favs for sure! I love how all the ingredients for this are simple and love that ya just throw it all in the crockpot and it does it’s thing! YUMMMM and chocolatey!!!
Oh wow this looks good! The hubs would love this!!!
Wow, how delicious! This could actually convince me to get a crockpot. It looks so chocolatey and amazing 🙂
Sues
Oh my!!! This is just evil…I want to jump through my computer and taste it now. My kiddos are going to LOVE when I make it!
Wow, that looks FABULOUS! I just added it to my April Menu Plan.
Omg… a chocolate lava cake that can be easily made in my favorite appliance?! Love. I’m just in love.
yummy! Looks so easy and delicious! Thanks!
Yum!!! This looks mighty delicious!
Holly, it’s in the crockpot and 1/2 hour to go before it’s done. I made half the recipe in the smaller crockpot just for the 2 of us, it worked out perfect!
Oh my, I would dust off my crockpot for this one.
-Gina-
GULP, yum to my TUMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!
i love that this is made in a crockpot!!
it’s super delicious looking. kinda reminds me of chocolate cobbler!
This looks really really delicious, and simple. I will definitely be trying this
I think I love you! I can’t wait to try this! Too bad hubby doesn’t like chocolate. Going to have to figure out a time to try it!
Just wondering what size crockpot you used for this, from the pictures it looks like a pretty large one. I plan on making it this weekend. 🙂
I just made this. It may just be my slow cooker (I have a double one from CrocPot) but I left it on high for 2.5 hours and when I spooned out a serving, it was just goo. Leaving it on for an extra 30 mins. at least… Sigh. Tastes good though!
I just happened to have all these ingredients, on hand. Yay! Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake is cooking up, on my counter, right now. 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
a couple of questions:
what setting did you put the crockpot on? mine only has ‘low’ or ‘high’. i’m guessing ‘high’?
i’m thinking about dumping in some chocolate chips for extra chocolateyness – it should be fine, right?
Vegantester, yes you cook it on high. I’ve never added chocolate chips to mine but I can only imagine it would be great!!
YUM! YUM! Reads like a chocolate cobbler that my niece makes. Reminds me of a scrumptious dessert I had on a cruise a few years ago. Can’t wait to try it. Love my crockpot. Thanks for sharing.
Oh MY Goodness! I honestly don’t remember how I found your blog or this cake. I am pretty sure one related to the other : ) Anyway. I wanted to tell you thank you! It was WONDERFUL! I didn’t have anyone say it wasn’t chocolately or rich enough…I used dark brown sugar and Mexican Vanilla… only because that is what I had on hand. Yum, Yum~!
Looks delicious! I want to make for christmas eve. Just wondering how many it serves? I have a large family! 🙂
Just spotted this one on Pinterest and WOW is it awesome! I think I’m gonna have to but out my slow cooker!
We found ours not sweet enough too, so we just sprinkled confectioners sugar on top and now it’s perfect. I really think it’s just whatever your preference is.
I have this cooking in my crock pot right now. It smells amazing! I can’t wait to try it out. I also bought vanilla ice cream to put on top of it! Yummmm! This will hit the spot after our Chicken Pistachio balls smothered in a cream cheese sauce! Thanks!
I am trying this tomorrow!!
Had this for dessert tonight! It was a HUGE hit! Thank you! I do however have some leftover and I’m not sure if I should refrigerate it or not. We will definitely make this again. It was so easy and it allowed me to use our oven while the cake was cooking in the crockpot so we were able to enjoy it right after dinner instead of having to wait!
Made this today, oh my word it was AMAZING!!! Served it up to 3 men who all want the recipe!! My son is seriously thinking of going out and buying a Crockpot now, just so that he can make this in his flat! Found you on Pinterest!
Made this yesterday for family gathering, wasn’t sure if this was a good choice since I hadn’t made it before. The photo looks so inviting, so I went for it. I did have a few (but very few)concerns after reading all the comments. I pre-heated and pre-treated the crockpot with cooking spray as I mixed ingredients according to recipe. The only changes I made were in the cake batter, using 1 3/4 cups of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated white sugar and I doubled the vanilla. I left the crockpot on high for 2 hours and then low temp for last 1/2 hour. I removed the lid and turned crockpot off after 2 1/2 hours, as the aroma was so tantalizing to all my choco loving granddaughters, actually the entire house smelled great! I spooned up a little of the ‘lava’, not be able to wait the recommended 30 minutes of set time to taste for flavor, it didn’t disappoint. It was quite runny as previously commented on by others, however; it did thicken up some as time progressed. My guests were very anxious to try this new dessert Grandma found online. I had 16 people and not knowing how many this would serve I was probably stingy with the servings. I served with Cool Whip and the consensus was a ‘thumbs up’, to be entered on my menus for future get togethers. The family thought the Cool Whip was a better choice than ice cream, we’ll see next time. Only 10 people tried this, but there was still enough left to probably serve at least 4 or 5 more. I would estimate that it would generously serve at least 12 people. By the time I put the leftover portion in the refrigerator the lava that was remaining (there wasn’t much) was very thick. When serving your portions don’t be overly generous with the lava that pours out as you spoon first servings, as it does have to last for rest of container. I don’t really recall taste of any Molten Lava cakes at restaurants, so I can’t compare, but I would definitely make this again, for both taste and convenience. Thank you!
Great comment… Very informative for all us newbies! I’m so very excited to try this recipe tonight!!!
Thank you for your detailed experience. I’m wondering if you left it on high for 2.5 hours and then shut it off to cool if it would be a bit firmer to serve?
I’m going to make it in two days for a birthday cake. I’ll make it with your tweaks! Thanks!
I’d also like to add that in New Mexico I used a large oval crockpot but in Louisiana I used a smaller round crockpot and there wasn’t a difference in cook time. I kept it going on high for the full 2 1/2 hours and it was perfect!
Just made this – halved the recipe and used Rival Crock-ette. Kept the time at 2-1/2 hours but I think it could’ve been a bit shorter. Came out great. Thanks for the recipe.
Awesome… halved the recipe and used a smaller crockpot. Thanks!
Well since I have an extra large crock pot, guess I will have to make extra lava cake. That also means I WILL just force myself to buy extra ice cream too.
I wonder how many miles I will have to walk to shed the extra pounds of flavor off my hips for this sin. Can’t wait to try it!
This is in the crock pot! 🙂 So excited! 🙂 Merry Christmas! 🙂
I made this last night and everyone loved it! 🙂 Thank you for the recipe! 🙂
This recipe looked so good, so I just had to make it! It’s in the crockpot right now and has 30 minutes left. I’m getting hungry to try it!
Thanks!
Courtney
This recipe looked so good, so I just had to make it! It’s in the crockpot right now and has 30 minutes left. I’m getting hungry to try it!
Thanks!
Courtney
So yummy Holly! I love getting new ideas from your blog on how to quench my chocolate cravings! I made it just how you said except I used dark chocolate(that’s all I had) and it turned out great! DELICIOUS!
I made this for our New Year’s Eve celebration and it was DELICIOUS! I made another version with a cake mix and a box of pudding mix that turned out ok. Then I came across this recipe and decided to try it. As I put it together I wasn’t quite sure since the cake part is really think. Then it seem like it wasn’t going to be moist enough after I sprinkled the brown sugar and chocolate on it. But it was incredible and SO much better than the boxed version! My daughter couldn’t wait the 20-30 minutes and thought it was too runny. Yet I waited about 20 minutes and it was perfect.
I have a different type of “crock pot”, the kind that is a non-stick rectangle that sits on a heating base. I wonder if anyone know if this will work with that or if anyone has already tried that.
Made this today and it was excellent! Followed the recipe exactly and it was perfect. The family couldn’t wait for it to cool for 30 minutes. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top. Definitely will make it again.
Mine is cooking as I’m typing and smells AMAZING! I used parchment paper as a barrier and was contemplating doubling the recipe for my big crockpot. GLAD I DIDN’T! It REALLY rises!
Thanks so much for the recipe!
This is seriously the most delicious cake ever! It completely tops Chili’s molton lava cake. It was even good the next day, because it made a lot and I couldn’t justify eating it all. Plus it was great motivation to actually study… It was super good cold also. It becomes super gooey and delicious. A must have recipe.
I made this & i must say even though I only ate 2 small tips it was very good… I love making everthing from scratch.. I didn’t want to do the box & add pudding so I tried this… it was amazing & came out perfect it cook for 2 & half hours I toke the led off and turn it off… I let it set for over a hour… came some to husband & kids with cool whip on the top.. they all love it…… thank you soooo much.. this re I’ve is a keeper…
This is the best pudding I have ever made! SO simple, SO easy, so delicious!
Made this today, but i left it for 3 1/2 hours. delicious. served it with vanilla icecream
What size crockpot do you use?
I use a 6 quart crock pot 🙂
My mom used to make something like this and baked it in the oven. This is so much easier and it turned out great. It’s a keeper, ladies!