Crockpot Triple Chocolate Surprise–is rich and filled with chocolate flavor. Even better, this crockpot (or oven) cake takes just minutes to prep and then cooks completely in your slow cooker. Let the delicious aroma fill your home and then enjoy the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Crockpot Triple Chocolate Surprise
This is a fun crockpot cake that is moist and has lots of chocolate flavor! The texture of this chocolate cake is so soft and decadent. It’s made with a cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, and chocolate chips. This is the perfect chocolate cake to take to any party or potluck. It’s also perfect for a Sunday night dessert…not a lot of work but everyone loves it.
This recipe is so easy to make. I do love “from scratch” cakes, but today we will use a cake mix and doctor it up. Plus, this chocolate cake batter comes together in a single bowl, for easy clean-up.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Chocolate cake mix–I used devil’s food cake
- Instant chocolate pudding mix–the small package
- Sour cream–or plain yogurt
- Chocolate chips–I use semi sweet
- Canola or vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Water

Steps
Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Mix until combined.

Scrape the mixture into a greased 6 quart crockpot or greased 9×13 inch pan.

For the slow cooker–cover and cook on high for 3 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. For the oven–bake at 350° F for 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Serve hot or warm with ice cream or whipped topping. This also tastes good served at room temperature when the chocolate chips have solidified.

Notes/Tips
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cool whip or whipped cream. If you want to get crazy then drizzle with chocolate syrup.
- This recipe is best if it’s made in a 6 quart oval slow cooker. It will cook more evenly than if you cook it in a small or circular crockpot. Unfortunately this recipe is not a good one to make in the Instant Pot since the heat in a pressure cooker comes from the bottom (instead of the sides) it won’t cook evenly and will take a very long time to cook since it would be super deep.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* on the counter for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. My 9×13 pan came with a lid so I just kept it on the counter in the pan with a lid on.
- Can I make chocolate frosting for this cake? Yes if you want to bring this cake to an even more chocolatey level then frost it with your favorite chocolate frosting recipe. Try this one…beat together 1/4 cup room temperature butter, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup heavy cream until smooth. Then frost the cake.

More Chocolate Desserts You’ll Love…
Instant Pot Chocolate Bundt Cake
The most moist chocolate bundt cake ever! This cake is cooked using steam in your Instant Pot and then covered in a rich chocolate glaze. Just try to eat one piece!
Instant Pot German Chocolate Bundt Cake
An ultra chocolatey, moist chocolate cake with a pecan-coconut topping and slathered with a chocolate cream cheese frosting. Basically heaven in your mouth.
Instant Pot Chocolate Billionaires
Chocolate, pecan and caramel clusters with a bit of crispy crunch from Rice Krispies. These candies have the perfect texture of chewiness, crispiness and softness.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.


Triple Chocolate Surprise
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
Triple Chocolate Surprise is rich and filled with chocolate flavor. Even better, this crockpot (or oven) cake takes just minutes to prep and then cooks completely in your slow cooker. Let the delicious aroma fill your home and then enjoy the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 oz) package chocolate cake mix (I used devil’s food cake)
- 1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 8 ounces (1 cup) sour cream
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Mix until combined.
- Scrape the mixture into a greased 6 quart crockpot or greased 9×13 inch pan.
- For the slow cooker–cover and cook on high for 3 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. For the oven–bake at 350° F for 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Serve hot or warm with ice cream or whipped topping.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooker or Oven

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Hi Karen, can I use buttermilk instead of sour cream? Thanks sandy
I don’t know how that would work honestly!
Hey Karen! Congratulations to your Baby Girl! You know, Karen, a couple more ‘blinks’ and you’ll be doing a wedding & then you’ll be called Granny. Keep your eyes open! ;-}
I know! I am in depression Kim…how did this happen?
The same way it happened to your Mom when you graduated. One minute you were in her arms being fed & then she blinked & you graduated. Life. Goes. Fast. I used to tell the parents of my first graders to savor every moment, don’t waste a single minute because they will fly by. You’re a good Mom, from what I can tell you’ve done everything I used to tell those parents to do, & you’ve done it well. She’s finished basic school, has a job & is becoming a productive member of society, you should be so proud! I know it’s depressing (a normal reaction) because time went by so fast, but you just need to keep looking forward to what’s ahead & being grateful that you are so blessed to be her Mom!
Ahhh, thanks Kim! Wise words from a wise woman!