Red Lobster Chocolate Wave: Price, Calories, and Copycat Recipe (2026)
By Alex Rivera,, Head of Menu Research | Prices Verified September 2026 Against the Red lobster App.
The Red Lobster Chocolate Wave is the chain’s signature dessert. It costs $9.99 and has 1,110 calories per serving, The dish layers moist chocolate cake with fudge frosting, then adds warm vanilla ice cream and a chocolate sauce drizzle.
What Is the Red Lobster Chocolate Wave?
The Chocolate Wave is a rich layered cake, not a molten lava cake. Red Lobster stacks chocolate cake with creamy fudge frosting, then tops the slice with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. It sits on the core dessert menu alongside Classic Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, and Brownie Overboard.
Red Lobster Chocolate Wave Price (2026)
A single slice of the Chocolate Wave costs $9.99. Whole desserts run from 4,160 to 13,020 calories depending on size. Confirm current pricing anytime on the official Red Lobster dessert menu.
Chocolate Wave Calories and Nutrition Facts
Here’s the official nutrition snapshot for one serving:
| Item | Calories | Price |
| Chocolate Wave (slice) | 1,110 | $9.99 |
| Whole Chocolate Wave cake | 4,160 to 13,020 (varies by size) | Varies |
Some third party sites list different numbers for the Chocolate Wave, including 930 calories and 1,490 calories. This page uses the 1,110 calorie figure listed on Red Lobster’s official menu, since those third party estimates don’t match the source.
Allergen note: the cake contains wheat, dairy, and egg. Ask your server about a full allergen list before ordering if you have food sensitivities.
Red Lobster Chocolate Wave vs Other Desserts
| Dessert | Price | Calories |
| Chocolate Wave | $9.99 | 1,110 |
| Classic Cheesecake | $10.99 | 1,080 |
| Strawberry Cheesecake Bliss | $11.99 | 1,170 |
| Key Lime Pie | $9.99 | 580 |
| Brownie Overboard | $11.49 | 1,020 |
If you want the lightest option, Key Lime Pie has the fewest calories by far. If you want the richest chocolate option, the Chocolate Wave and Brownie Overboard both deliver.
How to Order the Chocolate Wave
You can order the Chocolate Wave dine in, for takeout, or through delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Search for a Chocolate Wave nearby on the Red Lobster website to find locations that carry it, since dessert availability can vary slightly by restaurant.
Copycat Red Lobster Chocolate Wave Cake Recipe
This is an unofficial copycat recipe, not Red Lobster’s actual formula. It gets you close to the same flavor and texture at home.
Ingredients (cake layers):
- 1 and ¾ cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 and ½ cups sugar
- 1 and ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 and ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee or hot water
Ingredients (fudge frosting):
- 1 cup softened butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3 to 4 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, for serving
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9 inch round pans and line the bottoms with parchment.
- Whisk the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
- Slowly stir in the hot coffee last. The batter will turn thin, and that’s normal. It creates the soft, moist crumb Red Lobster’s version is known for.
- Divide the batter between the pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pans, then move to a wire rack.
- Beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and milk gradually. Beat until fluffy.
- Stack the layers with frosting between them, then frost the outside. Drag a spoon through the icing to create a wavy texture on top.
- To serve it restaurant style, warm a slice for about 15 seconds in the microwave. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and finish with a generous chocolate sauce drizzle.
Tip: Hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
Chocolate Wave Reviews: Is It Worth It?
Most diners rate the Chocolate Wave as one of Red Lobster’s better dessert choices. The warm cake and cold ice cream combination is the main draw, along with the generous portion size for $9.99.
Chocolate Wave FAQs
How many calories are in a Red Lobster Chocolate Wave?
One serving has 1,110 calories, according to Red Lobster’s official menu.
How much does the Chocolate Wave cost?
It costs $9.99 as a single slice. Prices can vary slightly by location.
Can you buy a whole Chocolate Wave cake?
Yes. Red Lobster sells whole cakes for takeout, ranging from 4,160 to 13,020 total calories depending on size.
Is there a vegan Chocolate Wave option?
Red Lobster does not currently list a vegan version of the Chocolate Wave on its official menu.
What is Red Lobster’s Chocolate Wave cake?
It’s a layered chocolate cake with fudge frosting, served warm with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate sauce drizzle. It’s one of four core desserts on the menu.
What is Red Lobster’s most popular dessert?
The Chocolate Wave is widely considered Red Lobster’s most popular dessert, based on its long standing spot on the menu and strong customer demand for chocolate options.
Where does Red Lobster get its Chocolate Wave cake?
Red Lobster does not publicly share its dessert supplier or bakery source. Like most chain restaurants, desserts are likely prepared through a food service supplier and finished in house.
Where can you buy the Red Lobster Chocolate Wave cake?
You can order it at any Red Lobster location for dine in, takeout, or delivery. Whole cakes are also available to buy for takeout in select sizes.
How do you make chocolate wave cake at home?
Use a moist chocolate cake recipe, layer it with fudge frosting, and top the slice with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. See the full copycat recipe above for exact steps.
Pair It With and Ways to Save
Round out your meal with a bowl from our Pasta and Bowls menu guide before you order dessert. For the full lineup of prices across the menu, check our Red Lobster Menu with Prices guide or browse current Deals and Specials to help offset the cost of dessert.
Final Thoughts on the Red Lobster Chocolate Wave
The Red Lobster Chocolate Wave remains one of the chain’s most popular desserts at $9.99 and 1,110 calories per slice. Its layered chocolate cake, fudge frosting, and vanilla ice cream combination explains why it consistently outsells lighter options like Key Lime Pie.
If you’re planning a visit, pair the Chocolate Wave with a lighter entree to balance out the calories. Meanwhile, trying the copycat recipe at home is a solid option when you’re craving the flavor between restaurant visits.
Price disclaimer: Prices vary by location and change over time. Always confirm current pricing on the official Red Lobster menu or with your local restaurant before ordering.
