Description
Dive into the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream with this Hot Fudge Pudding Cake. A rich, tender chocolate cake magically bakes atop a gooey, self-saucing fudge layer. Easy to make and absolutely indulgent, this dessert is perfect for cozy nights or special celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Batter:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (divided)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
For the Fudge Sauce Layer:
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease an 8-inch square baking pan lightly with cooking spray or butter.
- Make the Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, ¼ cup cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine milk, melted butter, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips.
- Assemble the Cake
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup cocoa powder and ½ cup sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.
- Gently pour 1 cup of boiling water over the top. Do not stir—this creates the fudgy sauce layer as it bakes.
- Bake the Cake
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-24 minutes. The top should be set and slightly cracked, with bubbling sauce underneath. A toothpick inserted into the cake portion (not the sauce) should come out mostly clean.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Spoon the warm cake into serving bowls, making sure to include the gooey fudge sauce from the bottom.
- For extra indulgence, top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh berries.
Notes
- Ensure your cocoa powder is unsweetened for the best balance of flavors.
- Do not overmix the batter, as this can make the cake dense.
- Letting the cake cool slightly allows the sauce to thicken and enhances the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American