A Decadent, Gooey, Self-Saucing Chocolate Dessert!
This Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake is a magic dessert—as it bakes, it creates a rich chocolate cake on top and a thick, fudgy sauce underneath! Best served warm with vanilla ice cream, this easy dessert is perfect for chocolate lovers.
📌 Recipe Overview
🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
⏳ Cook Time: 35 minutes
🍽 Total Time: ~45 minutes
👩🍳 Servings: 8
🍫 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- ¼ cup (55g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Fudge Sauce:
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cups (300ml) boiling water
📖 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Dish
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease an 8×8-inch (20x20cm) baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Add the Fudge Sauce (Magic Step!)
- In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar and cocoa powder.
- Sprinkle this dry mixture evenly over the cake batter.
- Gently pour boiling water over the entire dish without stirring—this will create the fudge sauce as it bakes!
Step 4: Bake & Serve!
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top looks set but the bottom remains gooey.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes (the sauce will thicken slightly).
- Spoon into bowls and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
🌟 Pro Tips for the Best Pudding Cake
✅ Do not stir in the boiling water—this creates the self-saucing magic!
✅ Use Dutch-process cocoa for an even deeper chocolate flavor.
✅ Bake until the top is just set to ensure a gooey, fudgy bottom.
✅ Want extra richness? Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter!
🍽️ Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Microwave individual portions for 20-30 seconds to restore the gooey texture.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before serving.
🍩 Variations & Fun Twists
✨ Mocha Pudding Cake: Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the batter.
✨ Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop dollops of peanut butter into the batter before baking.
✨ Salted Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top for an extra treat!
🧁 Nutrition (Per Serving, Without Ice Cream)
- Calories: ~320
- Carbs: ~55g
- Fat: ~9g
- Sugar: ~38g
(Estimated, varies by ingredients used.)
🎉 Final Thoughts
This Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake is an easy, foolproof dessert that delivers maximum chocolatey goodness with minimal effort. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy night in or a special occasion, this warm, gooey, and decadent cake is guaranteed to impress! 🍫🔥
