Can You Make a Cake in a Slow Cooker? Yes, Here’s How

Updated 5 November 2026Recipe from the Hamilton Beach Test KitchenCrock-Pot and other slow cookers

Can you bake a cake in a slow cooker?

Yes. A slow cooker works like a small, moist oven. The heat comes from the sides and bottom, so cakes cook through gently and stay moist. Hamilton Beach’s Test Kitchen publishes slow cooker cakes, such as a chocolate pudding cake made in a 4-quart round slow cooker.

The trade-off is that the top will not brown or crisp, and the edges can darken where they touch the hot crock. Choose cakes that suit a soft, moist finish.

Slow cooker chocolate pudding cake (Hamilton Beach recipe)

This recipe from the Hamilton Beach Test Kitchen serves 6 to 8 and is made in a 4-quart round slow cooker.

Ingredients

• Cake: ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cocoa, ½ cup sugar, 1½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp vanilla
• Topping: ¼ cup cocoa, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, 1½ cups boiling water

Steps

1. Grease. Coat the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Make the batter. Whisk the dry cake ingredients, then stir in the milk, melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread evenly in the crock.
3. Add the topping. Whisk the topping ingredients until smooth and carefully pour over the batter. Do not stir.
4. Cook. Cover and cook on HIGH until the top layer is set, about 2 hours.
5. Rest. Turn off the cooker and let stand, covered, for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Hamilton Beach notes that it looks odd at first, with so much liquid on top. As it cooks, the liquid sinks to the bottom and forms a pudding layer. Its test kitchen suggests serving it with vanilla ice cream.

Can you cook a cake in a tin inside a slow cooker?

Yes. This gives a neater, cake-shaped result. Use a metal or oven-safe tin that fits inside the crock with space around it for heat to circulate.

1. Raise the tin. Set it on a small rack, a trivet or three balls of foil so it does not sit directly on the bottom.
2. Fill halfway. Fill the greased tin about half full to leave room to rise.
3. Cover with a towel. Put a clean towel under the lid to absorb condensation.
4. Cook on HIGH for about 2 to 3 hours, then test with a toothpick.

How long does a cake take in a slow cooker?

Times vary with cooker size and shape. A wide oval crock spreads batter thinner and cooks faster than a deep round one. Start checking near the low end of the range.

Tips for slow cooker cakes

• Choose the right cooker: 4 to 6 quarts works for most recipes. A very large crock spreads batter too thin.
• Line it: a parchment sling lets you lift a cake out in one piece.
• Watch the edges: they cook fastest. Check them first when testing for doneness.
• Brown the top: if your crock is oven-safe, broil briefly. Otherwise, dust with powdered sugar or add frosting.

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

You can make a moist cake in a slow cooker: grease the crock, cook on HIGH for about 2 to 3 hours, and catch condensation with a towel. Start with Hamilton Beach’s chocolate pudding cake, which is made for the slow cooker.