This Crockpot Lava Cake dessert recipe is the easiest dessert I have ever made. Hands down! Need a quick dessert recipe in a flash? This is it!
Two Hour Crockpot Lava Cake Dessert Recipe
Crockpot meals are lifesavers. Crockpot desserts?? Pretty much the coolest idea ever! And, this recipe… is amazing!
The best part about this lava cake is that it can be served hot without taking up space in the oven since it’s in the crockpot – an even bigger WIN in my book! And, this crockpot lava cake is only three ingredients – win-win-win, right?!
To make this chocolate lava cake, gather all of your ingredients … ready? There are only three (see why I am in love with this new recipe!?)
- Chocolate cake mix, prepared
- Container of Fudge Frosting
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- (** There is a printable recipe below)
Next, gather your tools, a crockpot, a mixing bowl, spatula, measuring cups (both dry and wet). And, you’re ready to rock and roll!
Pour the prepared cake mix into the crockpot. They usually call for eggs, water and oil, so be sure to have these things on hand.
Drop the fudge frosting onto the cake mix by the spoonful, but don’t stir. When I say the crock pot does all the work in this easy crock pot dessert recipe — I mean the crock pot does all the work!
Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top and put the lid on. Yes, that’s really it.
Let the crock pot do it’s work on high for 2.5 hours. Once the crock pot is done serve this delicious crockpot molten lave cake recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – amazing, I tell you!
Crockpot Lava Cake
Ingredients
- Chocolate cake mix prepared
- Container of Fudge Frosting
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
-
Spray a 4-6 Quart Crockpot
-
Combine all ingredients in the order listed above
-
Cook for 2-2.5 hours (watching and smelling the first time you make it in a new crockpot to be sure it doesn't burn)
-
Enjoy with a scoop of ice cream!
Cynthia says
I would like to know can this be done with a from scratch recipe for the cake and frosting I don’t give my grandkids cake mixes
Clarissa Moore says
What’s so wrong with cake mix, your kids to good for it?
Debbie says
I never use mixes, either. Most things taste better from ‘scratch’. I was just raised that way. My recepie only takes 45 minutes to cook in an oven.
Lynda says
I have a microwave recipe from Pampered Chef and it takes15 minutes to make.
Steff says
Will you please share the recipe?
Thanks
Connie says
Lynda I would like the microwave recipe please ????
Jo45 says
‘too’. If you’re going to insult someone, do it in proper English.
Sandy says
Who died and made you the spelling police?
Alice says
WELL, anybody who payed attention to any English class or even popular memes on the internet will know the difference between “to, too, and two” as the same as “there, they’re, and their.”
So next question is why make a comment to start something if you’re not willingly to finish it?
Rooney1943 says
Yes!
Susan says
Seriously? This comment was certainly not necessary. She just asked a question.
James Williams says
Clarissa Moore some Cake mixes have chemicals in them that aren’t necessarily good for you and some of us avoid them when possible.
Cynthia in answer to your question, sense no one seemed to want to answer it, yes you can do it from scratch. You might want to make the icing just a little thicker than you normally do sense it is going to be heated. I’m a scratch baker too and I know where you are coming from.
Dee Goebel says
“sense” – “since”
If I make it, I will use a cake mix. At age 80 and healthy–I’ve lived a long and healthy life! Why be concerned about a mix versus scratch now?
Jan Rhodes says
Not Nice!
Michelle says
going to try this without the frosting but maybe a few chocolate chips. Thanks for sharing
Cindy s Reynolds says
instead of frosting….use chocolate pudding…..that is how I always make it….
Donna says
That sounds yummy
Paula says
That’s just rude. A lot of people cook from scratch and it’s not because they are too good for box mixes. Scratch actually taste better.
Javante says
*too
Jolie says
Actually any time you can make something without all the extra added ingredients you are putting a better product in your body. Good job grannie!
Kathy says
Wow
….what a smarta** answer, scratch is always tastier AND perhaps she doesn’t want her kids eating all the chemicals and coloring from a boxmix….you need to change your attitude or stay off here….you wanna fight someone with your words, go elsewhere, this isn’t the forum!
Donna says
Lord… Some people just take the fun out of everything….
Angie says
They probably have allergies. Alot of kids or people can’t eat cake mixes because they are made where peanut products are also made close in the vicinity and some people are highly allergic.
Michaelann Dahlman says
Cynthia, I would suspect that any similar sized cake recipe would work just as well. Probably the icing, too. But its difficult to say for sure. I might try this sometime, I’ll let you know if it works from scratch as well.
James Williams says
Sense you pre-make the cake mix their is no reason a home made cake from scratch shouldn’t work.
Raquel says
Any flavor icing will do. I used a salted caramel as this is too much chocolate for us.
lynn says
How did this turn out? I’m thinking about using vanilla.
Theresa Williamson says
Make you from scratch cake and put it into the crock with your own butter cream frosting and chocolate chips.
michael grant says
Would you cook this on high, med or low???
vangie bolio says
i’d love to try this recipe . what setting would you cook it At ? thanks for this wonderful recipe !!
Valli Garza says
I’m wondering that too. I just opened my cake mix to make it and realized that it doesn’t say what setting to cook it on.
Stephanie McAfee says
You cook it on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours Hun…
Good luck…
Amanda says
That was my question, too. Glad I looked at the comments because I had it on low. Thanks!
Jennifer Beaury says
There is nothing wrong with doing things from scratch and your correct they taste better and less preservatives. Unfortunately life has become much more hectic and many people have less time to doing things from scratch. I commend you for taking the time. Good for you.
Nicole says
The best homemade chocolate cake recipe is this one: https://sugarspunrun.com/easy-chocolate-cupcakes/
cindy says
Yes, you can use homemade cake for this.
JENNIFER HAYTON says
hi i have not seen the frosting in South Africa. Is it a normal thick icing that you use to decorate a cake?
Billie tyree says
Yes
Leandrie says
You can purchase it at checkers or pick ñ pay
Molly says
How do you think this would turn out if you used a different flavor icing? Say, vanilla or butter cream?
JCNana says
Then it’s not a traditional lava cake. Do whatever you want!
Mike says
Or how about using peanut butter chips!
Leandrie says
Doesn’t have the same effect as the chocolate icing. Tried it last night and wasn’t as good.
Jane says
Can this be made in a regular oven, I don’t have a crockpot
James Williams says
Yes. Set your oven at 300 F and it should work. At about 2 hrs you might want to start checking it ovens cook differently.
JCNana says
Good grief, people! She was providing an easy recipe for people to try. You want to do “scratch,” do it but don’t be judgmental. And don’t be stupid! Of course, scratch would work and of course an oven would work!!!!! Again, she was just providing an easy thing for people to try…..or not.
Sheesh says
LOL! I agree!
BeeBee says
LOL; true. Good Luck to all; the recipe sounds yummy. I have recently started trying recipes in my crock pot and am excited to try this one! 😉 Blessings!
recipe seeker says
Me too, looking at a simple recipe became a bit stressful just reading the comments. For good
ness sake!
Sharon says
Always looking for new recipes to try in the crock pot. I agree with you on the comments,
ginger says
some people will make a federal case out of anything! Either try it or don’t, no need to make a big issue out of it.
sally says
You are so right. I don’t know why some people think they need to criticize when someone asks a simple question. I appreciated the recipe and am anxious to try it, maybe next family dinner.
Karla Hoskins says
Yes, I agree ! It a cake recipe! Some folks like it one way , others a different way! Who knows a change might come up with a totally different yummy dessert!
Jerry says
I totally agree with you I’m going to make it tomorrow Thanks for sharing this easy recipe
Gay Harlander says
JCNana, I’m with you! My granddaughter want chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream for her BD and since we are living in our RV for the moment I don’t want to heat it up with the oven so I am using the crockpot. This is the one she will get and I’ll bet she will love it.
Peeps, take it for what it’s worth. Quick and easy! Especially for Bakersfield, CA when the temp here today is 103 and expected to reach 108 later this week!
Leilani says
The unwavering oven and such can bake a cake. I used one for quite sometime when my oven died. No heat in kitchen. Use it several times a week in summer living in Arizona
Lucky says
Is it 2 hours on high?
Heather says
It is 2.5 hours on high, I missed it the first time through as well but I found it. 🙂
Penny says
I wondered if it’s actually 2 hrs as in the directions at the end it shows to cook it for 1 hr…..
Debbie says
I think this looks Great, I’m so glad you added the video.Thank you so much for posting it.
Joyce says
I have a crockpot with actual temperatures. What do you suggest? 400° is the highest which seems pretty high for 2.5 hours cooking time. Thanks!
Laurie says
Did you find out how temperature ?? I am planning to making tomorrow
Jennifer says
Could I add maraschino Cherries to the recipe? I was thinking of draining a jar full and just pouring them in.
Caroline says
Would it be okay to make this earlier in the day and then put it on a low setting for an hour or so before serving?
Tiddley says
I am definitely going to try this – thanks for sharing. AND if you have time to bake anything from scratch along with raising kids, working, laundry, dishes, yard work, shopping, cooking, etc. etc. – then you are seriously blessed.
Karen says
Planning to make for our church ladies tonight.My son makes and its great !
Kate Sorensen says
Yay Karen! I am so glad to hear that!
Kate
Brenda says
What size crockpot, does it matter?
Michelle says
I think it said 4-6 qt crockpot
Debbie Nobles says
This looks like it would be a delicious chocolate cake recipe for even my best friend that is absolutely the pickiest of the pickiest of eaters.. even when it comes to deserts!
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.
Melissa Gatlin says
Hi this does look very good and really easy. I can’t wait to make however I was wondering if you can use a different chocolate cake mix instead of the traditional? I accidentally bought the same Pillsbury chocolate cake mix, but instead of traditional its moist supreme. Will that work?
Jen says
Yes you can use any mix, and Icing. I made a strawberry cake and used lemon icing last week. Strawberry lemon cake was awesome.
Kay says
Do you preheat the crock-pot or dump all in and then turn it on? Never was sure about that part.
Kelly says
Kay, I just made a similar recipe the other day. I put the ingredients in my crockpot, then turned it on. It took about 2.5 hours to cook from the time I turned it on.
Brandy says
Hi what size crockpot and would a casserole crock work?
Karla says
It says 4-6 qt.
Showmegal says
I bought chocolate frosting instead of fudge frosting and was wondering if anyone else used chocolate instead of the fudge and if so how was it?
Jen says
Can’t say on taste of the chocolate over the fudge, but it will work. I mix and match , you can use any mix, and Icing. I made a strawberry cake and used lemon icing last week. Strawberry lemon cake was awesome.
Jennifer says
How did it turn out with the chocolate icing. I live in Canada and we cant get fudge icing here. Only chocolate or milk chocolate.
Joan says
I used chocolate icing and it was fine!
Eddie says
Looks like two other people asked this already without it being answered: What size (quart capacity) is the crack pot? This will matter for cooking times and product consistency. Thank you in advance!
Billy Anne Crews says
Just mentioning that those worries about ingredients in store bought mix and other things… you can buy all organic cake mix and frosting. It’s not from scratch… but it will lack the stack of crap in the regular brands most people use. This is a quick fix to a dessert!
Joan says
Tried this lava cake in my crockpot and after 2.5 hrs it was mushy and needed to cook longer. Maybe 3-4 hrs. Guess it depends on the kind of crockpot you have.
Marie says
Could you use caramel chips
Frances Gilbert says
What setting for crock pot?? Mine only has low and high. Thank you much…
Sherryl says
High
Kayren says
Do you bake the cake first? Second question is if you dont bake cake do you mix indredients up first?
Sherryl says
Prepare cake mix according to box instructions and pour raw cake mix in crockpot then add icing and then chocolate chips
bill fitzenreiter says
I made a mistake and got milk chocolate brownie mix would this work instead of cake mix
Valerie says
Could you double this and use the same time?
Sherryl says
No, it would take about an hour and half more cooking time
Dee says
Curious to know why it says 2&1/2 hrs then says 1 he cook time??
Jennipher says
Do you set the temp at high or low?
Pam says
Thank you for the delicious recipe that you posted for the Lava Cake. I will be making it on New Years Day for Adults and Children alike. It is such a treat for all! It has become one of my favorite winter recipes! So simple!! Thanks again!
Hayley says
Do you set it on high, medium or low?
Sherryl says
Cook on high for 2 – 2 1/2 hours
Use prepared cake mix raw.
Use 4 to 6 quart crock pot.
All questions answered, btw they were all included in the instructions
Thx for a great recipe
Sarah says
I have 2 questions:
1. Can you cook it on low for a longer time(as in while I’m at work so it’s ready when I get home)?
2. It is still good to reheat if it’s not all eaten in the first sitting?
Kate Sorensen says
Hi Sarah, I am not sure because I haven’t tried cooking it longer on a lower time, so sorry about that.
Yes, it is good to reheat – we ate it as a leftover and it was great!
I hope you enjoy it!
Kate
Noreen Bills says
Thanks for sharing. I love quick and easy recipes. Quick question – Should I use some nonstick spray?
Linda Niedzinski says
I wont be coming back to this site! This site is a joke. Why is it, when women get to talking, in this case, typing, they always start something, stupid of course, arguing back and forth about how they used the word too! COme on ladies, unless you are all ten years old
Linda K. says
I’m thinking of making this for a Superbowl party. Is it too messy to remove from the crock to carry to the party? Should I leave it in the crock and serve from there?
Shazam says
I loved these questions & comments. I was wondering if you stick a possum in your crockpot & cover it with choc chips would it be just as good??
AC says
How many servings does this make? Thank you. 🙂
Chris says
Okay my 8 year old and I did this tonight foe my wife’s birthday.
Tastes amazing, didn’t turn out right. For some reason our chocolate fudge frosting (same stuff as video) sank to bottom of mix and spread out. So when I pulled cake out the “lava” was literally molten lava at the bottom and not spread throughout the cake.
I thought maybe I should cook the batter about a half hour next time and then add the frosting.
Tips? Tricks?
Melanie Haywood says
to the person being rude about cake mixes, have you ever seen all the extra ingredients listed, ? lots of not good for you, junk plus allergens I would net to make w/o wheat flour. mixes have soy in them which is a huge allergen as well
Vickie Gibson says
Cook on High or low?
Juli says
Made this for my granddaughter and she LOVED IT!!!! She wanted a “lava cake” and I was pinched for time. So your recipe was a true blessing! Thank you for sharing.
Joan oneill says
Crock pot on high or low
Patti says
My niece makes something similar, only she uses cake mix (mixed as directions call for on the box) with uncooked pudding in the middle. Cooks 4 hours in the crock pot.
By the way, some people have to stick with a gluten free diet, due to celiac disease or allergies, which is why they might not want to use a boxed cake mix.
Lindabklyn says
Made it this morning, use chocolate cake, hot pink vanilla frosting, espresso powder and chocolate chips.
Taste very good.
Lisa says
In the crockpot now! Time is set…making this for my husband’s birthday hope he loves it ❤
How do I add a photo?
Kate Sorensen says
Hi Lisa! So excited that you’re making this, it’s one of our favorites!
Kate
Michelle says
Why size cake mix did you use? ONE for an 8×8 Or 9×13?
Kate Sorensen says
9×13
Sheri says
Just cooking the cake alone (Thinking about a Poke Cake) would the cook time be the same? Or do you think it should be less? Because the pudding and icing is added after the cake is cooked and cooled.
Jamie Lequeux says
I did not see a printable version as stated in the explanation on line. Could you please send me a printable version?
Kate Sorensen says
Hi Sheri, Sorry for the late response. I am not sure as I’ve never tried this.
Let me know how it goes.
Kate
Missy Chavez says
Just FYI – 1st of all, I made yes and it is amazingly delicious! BUT here’s the FYI part – I have an older cock pot at least 15 years old and it took mine about 4 to 5 hours to cook all the way through
Sandy says
No matter what kind of cake mix I use. Sound delicious
Just wow on all comments. If you don’t like move on. Im legally blind so please make fun of my typing if youyou want I don’t give a rats @@@.
Thank you for sharing this I could read the typing with my magnifying glass just fine.
Pat Wilks says
I made this for my husband and grandchildren. It was awesome with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! They loved it. Will definitely be making this again.
JoAnn says
I’m going to try it using Nutella instead of frosting.
Aurelia Fernandez says
This recipe of the Lava cake, is just a simple way to make a cake and if you want to try it, try it. Don’t have to try to show anyone if it’s healthy, or change the sharing of a recipe. I’m going to try it, thank you.
Amanda says
What temp does the crock pot go on? Whatever the box says?
Karla says
I’m just curious. Why all the questions about, time, heat setting, mixing cake, spraying with non stick spray, size of crock pot, ECT? Everyone of those questions are answered in the recipe. Just read the recipe.
Michelle says
Is the cake mix for a 9×13 pan or 8×8. Does that effect the amount of time if it’s an 8×8 mix?
Ron Nelson says
Ok, I get it. I DID not read all comments, however, enough to know the big issue seems to be box over scratch. Well, I’ve been around the block a few times and I feel I have heard a lot of different “warnings” down through the years about various foods, chemicals, ingredients in general and I also have seen the same warnings disputed or contradicted a year or two later. That being said, I don’t believe anyone can PROVE one way or another what does or does not potentially cause sufficient harm that avoiding same would make that much difference. So, eat what you want within reason or common sense and let others do the same. As Charlie Brown might say; “Good Grief”!
Lou says
At my house we’re busy. Easy is a good thing. Sometimes you like quick and easy. Sometimes you like gourmet. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. Go to other
posts. See. Easy.
Chris says
It says two hours in one place and two and a half in another which is it
Julia says
Can you use milk chocolate frosting
Kate Sorensen says
Hi Julia, Sure!
Linnea Gimby-Crespo says
Where is the printable recipe for Chocolate Lava Cake?!
Shareon White says
How is it if you don’t eat right away. We will be having company to play cards and usually have dessert several hours after we eat supper.
LaChelle says
Has anyone doubled this recipe? I would assume it would take a bit longer to cook.
Michael says
I could be wrong on this and Someone can correct Me if I am but looking at the pictures it looks like the frosting has been chilled for some time. Do Any of Y’all know whether or not the frosting should be chilled before putting it into the slow cooker?? Thanks for the help in advance.
Kris says
Would this work in an instant pot with the cake setting?
Kate Sorensen says
Hi Kris, I’m sorry, I am just not sure. I haven’t tried that.
Kate