Description
This Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake is a delightful dessert featuring a moist, cocoa-rich cake topped with a luscious hot fudge sauce that forms during baking. The warm, gooey pudding sauce pairs perfectly with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an irresistible treat that’s easy to prepare in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Fudge Sauce
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-1/4 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Boil water in advance for the fudge sauce.
- Mix the Cake Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup white sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth. Spread it evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Prepare Fudge Sauce: In another bowl, mix together 1/2 cup white sugar, packed light brown sugar, and cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
- Add Boiling Water: Carefully pour the boiling water over the top of the batter and sugar mixture without stirring. This layering creates the pudding sauce during baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the cake center is nearly set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes. The hot fudge sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of ice cream or some whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Do not stir the boiling water into the batter; this is essential to form the pudding sauce beneath the cake.
- For best results, use fresh cocoa powder and avoid substituting with Dutch-processed cocoa as it may affect the rising and flavor.
- This dessert is best served warm but can be reheated gently if prepared in advance.
- Add a pinch of espresso powder to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor if desired.
