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Chocolate Lava Cake (Crock Pot)

by Jamie

This Chocolate Lava Cake is absolutely fabulous. It’s served warm, has  a moist top layer, and an ooey-gooey bottom that is rich, smooth and full of chocolate goodness. Add a cool scoop of ice cream and you will be in heaven, my friends. Not only is this cake delectable, but you can put it together in just about 15 minutes. Then it cooks in the crock pot for 2 1/2 hours. It’s great for summer gatherings when  you don’t want to heat up your oven. Make it for Sunday dinner, make it for a friend, make it for your 4th of July celebration!

Let me show you how to make it happen. 🙂

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Chocolate Lava Cake (Crock Pot)
PRINT RECIPE

***NOTE: Some readers have had a hard time getting this cake to cook in the 2 1/2 hour allotted cooking time. Every crock pot cooks a little differently. You may want to leave yourself 3-3 1/2 hours cooking time. If your cake isn’t cooking quickly enough, you could also turn the crock pot setting to high for the last 15 minutes or so. This recipe takes a little experimenting with, depending on how fast your crock pot cooks.

Time: 15 min. prep + 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours cooking
Yield: 12 servings
Recipe from Betty Crocker

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 1/4 C milk
1/2 C vegetable or canola oil
3 eggs
1 (3.9 ounce) instant chocolate pudding
2 C milk (I used 1 %)
1 (12 ounce) bag milk chocolate chips
parchment paper
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1. Grab a 3-4 quart crock pot and line it with parchment paper. Spray the inside of the paper with cooking spray. The parchment paper helps the cake cook without burning along the edges. You can make it without the paper, just be sure to watch it closely.

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2. Find yourself a nice chocolate cake mix and pour it into your stand mixer or medium-sized mixing bowl.
3. Add 1 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup oil and 3 eggs. Beat on low-speed for 1 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the bowl and beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until the batter in nice and glossy.

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4. Pour the batter into the lined crock pot.

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5. Pour one small box of chocolate pudding into your stand mixer or medium-sized mixing bowl. Add 2 cups cold milk and beat it until the pudding thickens. Should take about 3-4 minutes.

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6. Pour the pudding over the top of the cake batter. Don’t stir it. Really, cross my heart and hope to die. It will cook up best if you leave the layers be.

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7. Grab a bag of milk chocolate chips and pour the pretty little things all over the top of the pudding. Again, please do not stir it.
8. Cover the crock and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours, or until the top of the cake is set. ***NOTE: Some readers have had a hard time getting this cake to cook in the 2 1/2 hour allotted cooking time. Every crock pot cooks a little differently. You may want to leave yourself 3-3 1/2 hours cooking time. If your cake isn’t cooking quickly enough, you could also turn the crock pot setting to high for the last 15 minutes or so. This recipe takes a little experimenting with, depending on how fast your crock pot cooks.***

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Like this. 🙂

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The bottom layer of the cake will be all gooey and soft. Yum.

Double yum.

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9. Place some on a plate…

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and add a  cool scoop of ice cream or whipped cream right on top.

Enjoy!

 

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131 comments

Brooklyn July 3, 2013 - 9:04 am

Oh my goodness this looks delightful! I must add to my list to make! I love your blog it is the best.

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Kat Foster July 3, 2013 - 12:06 pm

This is wonderful stuff! Not only that but my 6 year old grandson really got into watching the “volcano ‘splode!” and I had to put a step stool by the glass topped slow cooker so he could watch the lava cake progress. It did not disappoint any of us! It is a good 15 on a 1 to 15 scale! Incredible recipe!

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Mary Ann July 3, 2013 - 1:24 pm

Oh my, chocolate OVERLOAD… am pinning this!

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Shannon July 3, 2013 - 1:36 pm

I love the idea of dessert that is quick to make, doesn’t require the oven, or my attention. Thanks for this fun recipe, so great for summer and entertaining.

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Gina July 3, 2013 - 1:49 pm

Perfect!!! That last thing I want to do is turn on the oven right now. This is awesome- thank you.

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Erin R. July 4, 2013 - 2:15 pm

I’ve always wanted to try a pudding/lava cake! This looks completely wonderful and BONUS for using the crockpot. I just took some pretzel buns out of the oven and I can’t even go near the kitchen it’s so hot in there. Thanks!

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Kathy July 5, 2013 - 1:21 pm

Looks delicious! Love the idea of making dessert in the slow cooker!

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SarahW July 5, 2013 - 3:02 pm

We had this for our 4th of July celebration dinner. It was off the charts delish! I turned off the crockpot once the middle of the cake was no longer jiggly (after 2 hours and 10 minutes). The layers of the cake were so tasty! I also added some marshmallows right at the end and my family kept saying, “This is awesome Mississippi Mud!” Thanks for this great recipe that kept my kitchen cooled while the temperatures were scorching at 103 degrees.

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Emma July 7, 2013 - 8:33 pm

We’ll definitely have to try this one!!! Sounds wonderful!

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Chocolate Lava Cake (Crock Pot) July 9, 2013 - 3:31 pm

[…] This Chocolate Lava Cake is absolutely fabulous. It’s served warm, has  a moist top layer, and an ooey-gooey bottom that is rich, smooth and full of chocolate goodness. Add a cool scoop of ice cream and you will be in heaven, my friends. Not only is this cake delectable, but you can put it together […] Read More… […]

Reply
Niari July 10, 2013 - 1:20 pm

Jamie, I was wondering if this could be done in a Dutch oven? We have a family reunion to attend at the end if July and I am in charge of dessert and would love to make this while camping.

Reply
Jamie July 11, 2013 - 7:20 pm

Hi Niari,
I haven’t ever tried it in a dutch oven, but my thoughts are that it would work out nicely. I would suggest giving it a trial run before you head to your reunion just to be sure. Good luck! Hope you have a great time with your family.
~Jamie

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Anne July 14, 2013 - 10:22 pm

normally i can make all your recipes but this one did not turn out right put every thing in the crock just like recipe said and cooked for 3 hours and still was not done. does this need to go on high ? any suggestions please looks way good !!! would like to try it again with success:)

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Jamie July 15, 2013 - 7:53 am

Hi Anne,
Thanks for your question. It sounds like perhaps your crock pot cooks a little bit slower than most. I would give it a try on high and see how that works out. Just watch it closely so it doesn’t burn. Better luck to you the second time around!
~Jamie

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Kashif February 8, 2014 - 4:44 am

My husband made this yeaetrdsy. He doubled the amounts of the vegetables and used a pork loin instead. We loved it! The apple cider gives everything such a nice flavor. Thank you and keep up the great work.VA:F [1.9.20_1166](from 0 votes)

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Donna March 9, 2014 - 9:15 pm

I just made this tonight and mine required 4 hrs to fully set, so I guess it depends on your slow cooker. Maybe next time, I’ll try it on high. Delicious!

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Angie May 1, 2014 - 7:11 pm

I had the same problem… After 2.5 hrs it was still very runny so I just cranked it up to high! Here’s hoping! It looks so delicious!!

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Heather July 22, 2013 - 12:22 pm

I cooked this for the 4th of July – I had to make it gluten free for some family members so I followed the recipe exactly the same just used gluten free stuff and it turned out so so good! Super easy too! There wasn’t any left by the end of the night.

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Kris August 1, 2013 - 10:24 pm

Do you refrigerate the left overs (if there are any:))? Also…do you leave them in the crock or a separate container? Just curious. This looks DEEE-LISH!!!:) I can’t wait to make it tomorrow! Thank you!!

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Jamie August 2, 2013 - 10:12 am

Kris,
Yes, you can store leftovers in the fridge. I would put it a gladware container and then pop it in the microwave to reheat it when you are ready to eat it again. Good luck!
~Jamie

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Terry August 18, 2013 - 12:04 pm

I really want to try this recipe. Problem is I only have a 6 quart crock pot. Will this work? Should I modify the recipe?

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Jamie August 20, 2013 - 7:52 am

Terry,
I would imagine a 6 quart crock pot would still work, however I think it would cook quite a bit faster so watch it carefully. Good luck!
~Jamie

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Jessica August 28, 2013 - 12:07 am

This looks SO good, wow! Very similar to a chocolate cake my favorite cafe serves, maybe this is their secret recipe? 😉

Reply
Chocolate Lava Cake October 5, 2013 - 9:27 am

[…] For more details please visit this link were you will find instructions : jamiecooksitup.net […]

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Tina October 31, 2013 - 7:25 pm

What size crock pot are u using and oval or round?

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Rebecca November 2, 2013 - 6:47 pm

Made this tonight for my husband’s birthday. Needless to say, he was a happy, happy man!! He LOVES the molten lava cakes on the Carnival Cruise ships and this tastes JUST LIKE THEM!! Even as some who doesn’t really like chocolate cake, I cleaned my plate! This was our first married birthday together, so I wanted it to be extra special. It definitely was with this one!!

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Danielle November 17, 2013 - 1:05 pm

So I made this today for the Steelers game and I put it on at 10:50am and well it’s still cooking and not done! I now have it on high….have you had others with this problem??

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Susan December 4, 2013 - 10:27 am

Is there anyway to make a copy of this recipe? I want to make it but don’t want to copy it on my printer due to all the wasted ink as well as all the other colored photos. Thanks. I’m a little worried the cake won’t cook but I think most people don’t know this is a runny type of cake, not one that should be hard, like a regular baked cake. Am I right?

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Jamie December 5, 2013 - 6:45 am

Susan,
If you look under the title and before the list of ingredients, you will see the words “PRINT RECIPE”. Click on it and it will take you to a printable page.
~Jamie

Reply
Crock Pot Lovin’ | December 17, 2013 - 11:50 am

[…] also made a chocolate lava cake . I didn’t get a chance to try it because we were at a party (I always seem to bring a new […]

Reply
Pennie December 17, 2013 - 5:47 pm

This looks amazing! I was wondering if you could use chocolate pie filling pudding instead of instant pudding?

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Sarah December 18, 2013 - 3:21 pm

This looks amazing!! We have dairy sensitivities in our house, any thoughts on how to make it dairy free? Do you think almond milk would yield the same results?

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Susan December 18, 2013 - 4:54 pm

I made this for a crowd. Everyone loved it. Be careful not to OVERCOOK. After the cook time, make sure you lower the crockpot to low or turn off and turn back on to low about 30 min. before serving. I served with a big scoop of Vanilla Icecream. I wish I had some now! It was so easy and soooooooo good!

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Ashley January 1, 2014 - 4:15 pm

The measurments and instructions on my box of cake mix and the ones in your recipe are quite different. Which do I follow?

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Tracy January 3, 2014 - 7:51 am

I have a 6 qt oval crockpot. Do you think I can double the recipe?

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Kailley January 5, 2014 - 11:58 am

We make a cake very similar to this- but we use coffee icecream on top. It’s to die for!! 🙂

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Ali January 5, 2014 - 8:37 pm

How do you think this would do with brownie mix instead? What would you do to change the recipe?

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Jamie January 7, 2014 - 7:16 am

Ali,
A brownie mix would be a bit too thick. I would stick with a cake mix. Best of luck!
~Jamie

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Vivian Warfield January 6, 2014 - 3:51 pm

can you double the recipe?

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Jamie January 7, 2014 - 7:15 am

Vivian,
I haven’t ever tried doubling this recipe, but I think you would have trouble with it not baking correctly if you did. It may burn around the edges before the middle has a chance to cook. Best of luck to you!
~Jamie

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Madonna January 7, 2014 - 12:27 am

Tried this recipe and at first I was a little disappointed, not sure whether it was my crock pot or whether I did something wrong following the recipe but I let it “bake” for a good 2 1/2 hrs on low and was excited to eat when it looked like it still wasnt done. There was no cake feel to it and it was still all very gooey. I almost gave up because recipe doesn’t mention it taking more than 3 hrs.. Decided to put it on high for about 30 mins and then the kitchen finally smelled like cake baking but started to get that burnt smell in the air. I was sure it was game over when I finally turned it off after letting it sit 30 mins on high, it finally looked like a chocolate lava cake! Although it didn’t come out the way I hoped for, with ice cream it was still pretty good. I don’t think I’ll be making it again though. Off to a new recipe 🙂 thanks Jamie for the fun n easy recipe and the pictures really helped

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nadia Myres January 8, 2014 - 3:24 pm

Thank you very very much for the recepi,very clear to instructions. I’m doing it right now, and I can’t wait! Thanks!

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Sol January 15, 2014 - 9:14 am

I wonder if instead of using boxed chocolate cake it would be equally good using my own mocha cake recipe… what u think? I really wanna make this for a dinner party tonight but i dont like boxed cake :/

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Jamie January 16, 2014 - 7:03 am

Sol,
I haven’t ever tried it with a “from scratch” recipe, let me know if you try it and how it goes. Good luck!
~Jamie

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Emily February 7, 2014 - 9:35 pm

This recipe soudns great .we will try it! Have not sold our house yet, so we have not moved to Lawrence, KS yet! Just takes time! Hi to all!

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Carlyn January 19, 2014 - 8:34 pm

I had the same problem a few others seemed to be having, after the 2 1/2 hours, it still wasn’t set, just a gooey mess (which was still delicious) i just wish it had been more “cakey.”

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Kelley January 21, 2014 - 10:51 pm

Could you make the cake using a healthier alternative to the oil such as apple sauce or using the diet soda method? Also, I only have a 6 qt crock pot. Do you think I could double the recipe?

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Jane January 24, 2014 - 3:15 pm

I made this to serve to company. It was still liquid after 2.75 hrs….very disappointing. I turned it up to high and cooked another 1.5 and then it was done. I ended up eating it for breakfast. Very good but instructions were not accurate.

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Vivian warfield January 25, 2014 - 3:13 pm

I’m sure it depends on the strength of the crock pot. I have a large crock pot and I followed the directions and it was perfect.

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Melissa B January 25, 2014 - 5:28 pm

I am cooking this now. A couple questions: I couldn’t find 3.9 oz (“small box”) pudding so I did 2×2.1 oz sugar free puddings. Now I made the pudding part with just over 2 cups of milk. It was REALLY thick, thicker than pie filling. I gloped it into the crock pot with the hopes that was right. It didn’t pie like in your picture. Did I goof this up?

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Tiffany February 2, 2014 - 5:39 pm

I couldn’t get the cake to set in the middle 🙁 It cooked on low for 5 hours and only the sides on one half started to set. My pudding seemed heavier than the cake mix so I think it might have went to the bottom of the pot instead of staying on top of the cake mix. Do you think that could have caused my cake not to work or maybe I did something else wrong?

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Katrina February 3, 2014 - 4:42 pm

Made this yesterday….it was SO delicious! I can’t get over it! It actually took my crock pot almost 5 hours to finish. But nonetheless I will be making it again 🙂

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Kathy February 3, 2014 - 11:13 pm

This cake was absolutely wonderful! Easy to make too. It tasted even better on the second day. Delicious!!

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Bethany February 4, 2014 - 10:25 am

I cooked on low for 2 1/2 hours like it said, but it never really cooked. I had to cook it for an additional 45 minutes on high. I think next time I would just start at high and look in on it after an hour and a half and go from there. But it did taste really good.

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Anna February 5, 2014 - 8:40 pm

AMAZING! Absolutely amazing. I’ve tried so many times to make a lava cake and failed Everytime. This was great! It took my crock pot about 3 1/2 hours, but my crock pot is usually always slower than most to cook. I will be making this very often now! SO INCREDIBLE! YUMM!

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Sharon February 7, 2014 - 2:01 pm

Don´t have a crock pot, how much would baking time be in a regular oven and what would the required temperature be?

Reply
Another Round of Chocolate Links February 15, 2014 - 4:25 am

[…] Cooks It Up shared a recipe for Chocolate Lava Cake in a Crock-Pot. I’ve seen so many recipes for lava cake in a slow cooker but I’ve never made any of […]

Reply
Rae February 15, 2014 - 8:21 am

This was SO good! We made it last night for our Valentine’s dinner and my family loved it. (The parchment paper is an excellent tip.) Thank you so much a wonderfully easy and delicious recipe!

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Mary February 15, 2014 - 8:40 pm

I just tried to make this and the problem I had was with the pudding — it never thickened. Any thoughts on what I did wrong? I used the beater Kitchenaid attachment and it was completely liquid after 4 minutes so I switched to the whisk attachment and it was completely liquid after another 4 minutes. I don’t get what I did wrong…

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ann February 18, 2014 - 5:38 pm

Mary – was your pudding instant or cook and serve????
Mine did the same and when i checked I had accidentally gotten cook n serve instead of instant pudding. UGH!! So I put it in a pan and made the pudding the oldfashioned way and pured it hot over the cake mix……I hope this isn’t going to be a total flop. I was making it for my daughter’s birthday….who uses cook and serve anymore?????UGH!!!

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