This 5-ingredient slow cooker vintage Toll House pudding cake is the kind of low-effort dessert that feels especially welcome on a busy day, because you can set it up hours ahead and come back to a warm, cozy treat. It has that old-fashioned pudding cake magic: a soft cake-like top with gooey chocolatey pockets and rich sauce underneath, all made with simple pantry staples and very little hands-on work.
Serve this warm straight from the slow cooker with scoops of vanilla ice cream, a spoonful of whipped cream, or a splash of cold milk on the side. If you want to dress it up a little, fresh berries or sliced bananas make a nice contrast to the rich, sweet cake, and coffee is an especially good pairing for an easy after-dinner dessert.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Vintage Toll House Pudding Cake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, and melted butter until mostly smooth, then fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared slow cooker and smooth the top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the top looks set and the edges are lightly caramelized while the center stays soft and pudding-like underneath.
5. Turn off the heat and let the pudding cake rest for 10 to 15 minutes before scooping and serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Add nuts: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts along with the chocolate chips if you like a little crunch and a more classic vintage dessert feel.
Try a different chip: Milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips both work well here, so use what you have in the pantry or the flavor your family likes best.
Use the liner trick: If your slow cooker tends to run hot or you want easier cleanup after a long workday, a slow cooker liner can make serving and washing up much simpler.
Do not overcook: The best texture comes when the top is just set and the bottom is still saucy. If it cooks too long, the pudding layer can firm up more than you want.
Make it extra cozy: A little sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of vanilla extract can add warmth without changing the simple spirit of this 5-ingredient dessert.
