At The Hubb Foundation, we love sharing fun and easy ways to bring families together in the kitchen.
As part of our Hubb Pots Project, Josie from Castel’s Cupcakes & Bakes shares her slow cooker recipe for chocolate lava cake. Whether you’re a baking beginner or just fancy trying something new, this recipe is a real treat!
She reminds us that baking doesn’t have to be tricky – just start by greasing your slow cooker with margarine and dusting it with flour to stop anything from sticking.
Chocolate Lava Sponge
220g Dark Brown Sugar
180g Plain Flour
100g Cocoa
150g Melted Chocolate
5 tsp Baking Powder
4 tbsp Margarine
250ml Whole Milk
1 tbsp Vanilla Essence
Fondant
230g Dark Brown Sugar
50g Hot Chocolate Powder
250ml Boiling Water Chocolate Buttons
Making the Cake Batter
- Mix the sugar and butter: Combine the dark brown sugar with melted butter to form a gooey base.
- Add vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Fold in dry ingredients: Add flour, then the cocoa powder and baking powder.
- Pour in milk: Mix to create a rich, thick batter.
- Whisk well: Until the mixture comes together and is smooth. Josie recommends mixing by hand for a low-energy, no-fuss approach – but feel free to use a hand mixer if you prefer.
Building the Lava
Pour the cake batter into the centre of your greased and floured slow cooker pot. Avoid getting batter on the sides, as this can pull off your butter-flour seal.
Next comes the magic layer: mix 230g of dark brown sugar with 50g of hot chocolate powder and sprinkle over the batter, top with a handful of chocolate buttons.
Now for the twist – pour 250ml of boiling water directly over the top. Don’t stir! (As the cake cooks, this water seeps through, creating a gooey molten layer underneath the sponge).
Cook Time
Cook on high for 1 – 1.5 hours. Start checking after 1 hour using a knife – when the top is set but the inside is still a little gooey, it’s ready. The exact timing depends on your slow cooker.
The Grand Reveal
Once cooked, the cake will be fluffy on top with a rich, fudgy layer underneath. It may not look picture-perfect, but it’s all about the flavour. Serve with double cream for the ultimate indulgent treat.
Helping Families Cook, Eat & Thrive
Since 2021, the Hubb Pots Project has supported over 2,000 families across Stoke-on-Trent with essential tools like slow cookers, air fryers, recipe cards, and food vouchers. It’s all about making healthy home-cooked meals more accessible – while building confidence in the kitchen.
We want to reach even more families – and you can help. Whether by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, your support keeps this vital work alive.
To contribute to our essential projects, support us on Just Giving – Thank you for being part of the Hubb.
For full directions on how to make Chocolate Lava Cake, head over to our YouTube channel.
Featured post image: Hubb Pots Project [source: The Hubb Foundation]
