Indulge in the ultimate easy dessert: a rich and irresistible Crockpot Lava Cake made effortlessly with a simple cake mix! Imagine a decadent, ooey-gooey chocolate cake, baked to perfection in your slow cooker, with a luscious “lava” center that flows when scooped. Our recipe combines cherry pie filling, rich butter, and plenty of chocolate chips to create a truly amazing dessert that requires no pudding mix and minimal effort. It’s truly the best dump dessert we’ve ever made and a guaranteed family favorite!
If you’re seeking a remarkably rich and delightfully gooey dessert that cooks itself in your slow cooker, then this cherry-infused crockpot lava cake is an absolute must-try! While we often prepare various crockpot dump cakes, this particular creation was designed for an explosion of chocolate flavor, delivering a truly unforgettable experience. It stands out as one of our all-time favorite easy slow cooker desserts, offering convenience without compromising on taste.
Effortless Crockpot Lava Cake with Cake Mix: Your New Favorite Dessert
This recipe is a shining example of the many incredible easy dump cake recipes available on our site. We understand the appeal of simplicity, and this dessert delivers just that. Beyond its ease, one of its greatest advantages is not needing to turn on your oven, making it absolutely perfect for warm weather or when you just want a hands-off baking experience. This recipe perfectly combines our love for uncomplicated cooking with intensely satisfying results. And yes, it’s as rich and luxurious as it looks, truly amazingly good!
While you can certainly experiment with any flavor of pie filling, cherries remain our top choice for this particular recipe. The tart sweetness of cherries creates an exquisite harmony with the deep, rich chocolate cake, elevating the entire dish to another level. You can enjoy this delightful dessert as is, savoring its inherent sweetness, or enhance it further with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. For the ultimate indulgence, be sure to pair it with a tall, refreshing glass of cold milk.
Our appreciation for the cherry and chocolate combination first blossomed when we created our popular cherry brownies. The magic truly lies in simply combining a boxed mix with a can of delicious pie filling, transforming everyday ingredients into an out-of-this-world baked treat. You’ll definitely want to share the joy of this lava cake, too!
Making lava cake in the crockpot yields an exceptionally moist, ooey-gooey texture that’s simply divine. Plus, it eliminates the need to heat your entire house, and because it’s so naturally sweet and rich, no extra frosting is required. This recipe calls for just four simple ingredients, making it an incredibly accessible and rewarding baking project. Let’s delve into some essential tips and tricks to ensure your success.
This recipe was originally inspired by a delightful strawberry version I encountered during the holidays. I simply adapted and tweaked it to better suit our family’s preferences, and the result was nothing short of fantastic. For those who enjoy variety, I also crafted a version using my Ninja Foodi, which I affectionately named air fryer cake. That recipe is designed for individual ramekins and cooks considerably faster, offering another fantastic option for a quick dessert fix. Both methods deliver incredible results, catering to different preferences and occasions.
Key Ingredients for Your Crockpot Lava Cake
One of the fantastic aspects of this slow cooker chocolate lava cake is that you absolutely do NOT need any chocolate pudding mix to achieve its incredible texture and flavor. The magic happens with just a few core components, and the result is still wonderfully rich and deeply satisfying. Beyond these ingredients, consider having some vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream on hand to elevate your serving experience.
- Chocolate Cake Mix: For the ultimate depth of flavor, we highly recommend using a good quality chocolate cake mix, or even better, a Devil’s Food cake mix. Personally, Duncan Hines is a favorite brand that consistently delivers excellent results. This forms the foundational flavor of your decadent lava cake.
- Butter: For richness and moisture, butter is key. We prefer salted butter, with Kerrygold being a top choice for its superior flavor. If you require a dairy-free option, a plant-based butter alternative works wonderfully. We’ve tested this, and the difference is virtually undetectable, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful dessert.
- Chocolate Chips: Adding a bag of chocolate chips, whether milk chocolate or dark chocolate, is crucial for creating that signature “lava” flow and gooeyness that defines this dessert. We’re not counting calories here; this addition ensures a truly decadent and melt-in-your-mouth experience. As the cake cooks, these chips melt, forming pockets of warm, flowing chocolate.
- Cherry Pie Filling: This is our absolute favorite pairing for this chocolate lava cake, and you’ll use the entire can! The bright, fruity notes of cherry complement the chocolate perfectly, adding moisture and a delightful tang. We’ve found that both name-brand and store-brand cherry pie fillings work equally well, so choose what’s convenient. For those mindful of sugar intake, the low-sugar variety is also an excellent option; with the sweetness from the other ingredients, you truly won’t notice a difference in taste.
Essential Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Slow Cooker Lava Cake
To ensure your crockpot lava cake is not only delicious but also easy to serve and clean up, start by thoroughly spraying the inside of your slow cooker pot with a non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and allows your dessert to slide out effortlessly, making cleanup a breeze – a definite bonus! Remember, a dessert like this is designed to be scooped, not neatly sliced like a traditional cake. Serve it warm to experience its full ooey-gooey potential, and for an over-the-top indulgence, add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. The melting toppings will mingle beautifully with the warm cake, creating an even more incredible experience.
Decadent Crockpot Lava Cake Recipe
Justine
5
2
2
5
8
Print Recipe
Equipment
-
1 slow cooker (6-quart recommended)
-
1 mixing bowl (for melting butter)
Ingredients
-
1
can (21 oz)
cherry pie filling,
or your preferred flavor like strawberry or blueberry -
1
bag (12 oz)
chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet) -
1
box (15.25 oz)
chocolate cake mix (Devil’s Food works best) -
1
stick (½ cup)
butter,
melted
Instructions
-
Ensure your slow cooker is thoroughly greased with non-stick spray. Then, evenly spread the entire can of cherry pie filling across the bottom of the pot, creating a luscious fruit base for your cake.
-
Carefully pour the dry chocolate cake mix directly over the pie filling, spreading it out into an even layer. Do not mix it in with the pie filling; maintain distinct layers.
-
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix layer. This helps create pockets of moisture and richness. Finally, sprinkle the entire bag of chocolate chips generously over the very top of the cake mix. These will melt into glorious lava-like rivers.
-
To prevent condensation from dripping onto your cake and making it soggy, place a paper towel directly over the top of the crockpot opening before putting the lid on. The paper towel will absorb excess moisture.
-
Cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. We find that 2.5 hours is typically the perfect sweet spot for an ideal “lava” consistency. It’s crucial not to overcook this dessert; you want it to remain wonderfully gooey and moist in the center, not dry like a regular cake. A slightly undercooked center is key for that lava effect!
-
Once cooked, scoop the warm lava cake directly from the slow cooker into serving bowls. Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or extra chocolate syrup for an extra special treat. Enjoy immediately!
Video Tutorial
Watch our video to see just how simple it is to create this incredible Crockpot Lava Cake!
Nutrition
Serving:
4
oz
Calories:
604
kcal
Carbohydrates:
98
g
Protein:
5
g
Fat:
22
g
Saturated Fat:
13
g
Cholesterol:
36
mg
Sodium:
441
mg
Potassium:
77
mg
Fiber:
1
g
Sugar:
54
g
Vitamin A:
600
IU
Vitamin C:
2.9
mg
Calcium:
92
mg
Iron:
3
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Dessert
American
Can You Enjoy Crockpot Lava Cake the Next Day?
Absolutely! This crockpot lava cake, especially with the added moisture from the pie filling, remains wonderfully delicious the next day. The key to preserving its delightful texture is proper storage. To keep it fresh, transfer any leftovers into a small airtight container with a lid, ensuring there’s minimal air space inside. Store it on your kitchen countertop rather than in the refrigerator, as refrigeration can cause the cake to dry out and lose its gooey charm.
For the best reheating experience, transfer your desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl. To reintroduce some moisture and enhance the flavor, drizzle a bit of chocolate syrup or a splash of milk over the top before heating. Microwave it for about 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until warmed through and delightfully soft again. For an extra touch of decadence, spoon a small amount of ice cream on top before serving; it will melt beautifully into the warm cake, creating an even more indulgent treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Cakes
Yes, absolutely! The slow cooker is an excellent appliance for “baking” cakes, creating a moist, steamed dessert that’s incredibly tender. Our Crockpot Lava Cake recipe demonstrates this perfectly, showing you step-by-step how to combine cake mix, pie filling, and butter to achieve a perfectly gooey and delicious result without an oven. It’s an easy way to bake a cake with cake mix and pie filling together to perfection.
Yes! Using parchment paper in your slow cooker is a fantastic idea. It makes cleanup significantly easier and allows you to lift out your cake or other baked goods with great ease. When choosing parchment paper, ensure it’s rated for high heat – most varieties are oven-safe up to around 425°F, which works perfectly for slow cooking temperatures. We recommend parchment paper over plastic slow cooker liners, as plastic liners can sometimes impart an undesirable taste or texture, and parchment is a more natural option.
More Easy Slow Cooker and Dump Cake Desserts to Try
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of our Crockpot Lava Cake, you’ll be thrilled to discover many other easy desserts perfect for your slow cooker or made with a dump cake style. Remember, the goal with these desserts is to serve them warm and delightfully ooey-gooey, much like our slightly undercooked Crockpot brownie. While that recipe requires a bit more mixing for the batter beforehand, both deliver incredible results.
After enjoying this decadent lava cake, you might want to expand your dessert repertoire with these other simple cake recipes. Consider trying our moist and flavorful banana bread bundt cake. As autumn approaches, give our comforting pumpkin dump cake a whirl for a taste of seasonal goodness. And for a truly versatile slow cooker treat, our general Crockpot cake recipe is always an amazing option. Happy baking!
