Slow Cooker Chocolate Pudding Cake with Peppermint Sauce

I found this recipe in this year's Gooseberry Patch Christmas 10th Anniversary book. I served it on Christmas Eve and it was so delicious! I served it warm with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and peppermint sauce. Even Mr. Steady, who typically does not like chocolate enjoyed this one. It serves 10-12.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Pudding Cake
18.25 oz package chocolate cake mix
3.8 oz package instant chocolate pudding mix
2 c. sour cream
4 eggs
1 c. water
3/4 c. oil
1/4 t. salt
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
non-stick vegetable spray
whipped cream or ice cream

Combine dry cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, water, oil and salt in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. pour into a slow cooker sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Serve topped with whipped cream or ice cream.

Peppermint Sauce
1 1/2 cups crushed peppermint candies (leave wrapper on candy and keep in bag, pound with a hammer to crush)
1 1/2 c. heavy cream
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow cream
Combine all ingredients and stir over medium heat until crushed candy dissolved. Keep in refrigerator until about 30 minutes before serving. Makes 2 cups. Delicious over vanilla ice cream.