The Ultimate Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe: Dreamy & Divine

Discovering a classic hot fudge pudding cake can spark instant dessert excitement in any kitchen.

Warm chocolate aromas will soon fill your space with pure comfort.

Decadent layers of gooey goodness create a magical experience for chocolate enthusiasts.

Simple ingredients blend together effortlessly, promising a delightful treat that comes together quickly.

Unexpected magic happens when this cake bakes, revealing a rich sauce beneath a tender crumb.

Chocolate lovers understand the pure joy of a dessert that surprises and delights.

Prepare to indulge in a sweet adventure that promises pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

Ingredients for Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure to the cake's base.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the dessert.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the dry ingredients together.
• Melted Butter: Provides richness and contributes to the cake's tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to complement the chocolate.

• Brown Sugar, Cocoa Powder: Creates a delicious, gooey chocolate sauce that forms during baking.
• Hot Water: Helps develop the pudding-like texture and creates a rich chocolate bottom layer.

How to Prepare Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab your 8-inch square baking dish and give it a generous coating of grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create The Dry Mix

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these dry ingredients until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 3: Transform Into Smooth Batter

• Milk
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Stir everything until the mixture becomes silky smooth.

Spread this delectable batter evenly across your prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Sprinkle The Sweet Layer

• Brown sugar
• Cocoa powder

Ensure these are distributed evenly for maximum deliciousness.

Step 5: Add Magical Water

Gently pour hot water over the entire surface. Don’t mix or stir – this is where the cake’s secret magic happens!

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top looks set and the edges start pulling away slightly.

Step 7: Rest And Serve

Let the cake rest for 10 minutes. Serve warm, topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of creamy ice cream.

Enjoy the gooey, chocolatey goodness!

Tips for Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Success

• Sift dry ingredients carefully to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, velvety cake texture.
• Use room temperature milk and butter for better ingredient integration and consistent mixing.
• Select high-quality cocoa powder to enhance the rich, deep chocolate flavor of the dessert.
• Allow the cake to rest for 10 minutes after baking, which helps the pudding-like consistency develop and stabilize.
• Serve immediately with cold vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to create a delightful temperature contrast with the warm cake.

Variations for Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Chocolate Wonder: Swap milk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and add flax egg for binding.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Treat: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a diabetic-friendly option.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Comfort: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk and plant-based margarine to create an allergy-friendly dessert.

Serving Suggestions for Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

• Chocolatey Comfort Zone: Serve this warm cake in cozy mugs for a rustic, intimate dessert experience that feels like a warm hug.
• Sweet Sundae Delight: Top each slice with vanilla ice cream and drizzle extra hot fudge sauce for a decadent, restaurant-style presentation that elevates the dessert.
• Party Dessert Platter: Create a dessert board with slices of the cake, small bowls of toppings like chopped nuts, caramel sauce, and fresh berries, allowing guests to customize their sweet treat.
• Winter Evening Indulgence: Pair the warm cake with a steaming mug of hot cocoa or espresso, creating a rich, comforting winter dessert combination that warms both body and soul.

Storage Advice for Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to keep moisture locked in.
• Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, checking to ensure it doesn't become too hot or rubbery.
• Warm the cake in the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent additional browning and help retain its original soft texture.

FAQs

• What makes this Hot Fudge Pudding Cake unique?

The cake creates its own hot fudge sauce during baking, with a magical layering process where hot water transforms the ingredients into a self-saucing dessert.

• Why do I pour hot water over the batter without stirring?

The hot water creates a separate sauce layer underneath the cake during baking, resulting in a gooey, rich chocolate bottom that forms naturally without mixing.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that has a similar consistency to ensure the cake’s texture remains close to the original recipe.

• Is this dessert best served immediately?

This cake is most delicious when served warm, right after baking, when the chocolate sauce is at its most gooey and the cake is soft and tender.

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe Guide

• Craft Decadent Dessert: Create a rich, gooey chocolate cake that magically transforms while baking, forming a delicious pudding-like sauce underneath the cake layer.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Mix ingredients quickly in one bowl, then pour hot water without stirring – the cake creates its own incredible sauce during baking with zero complicated techniques.
• Family Chocolate Delight: Perfect for satisfying chocolate cravings with a dessert that appeals to kids and adults, delivering intense chocolate flavor and comforting warmth.
• Simple Serving Flexibility: Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat that works beautifully for casual family dinners or special weekend dessert moments.

Decadent Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers adore this hot fudge pudding cake from Southern kitchens. Warm chocolate sauce emerges magically during baking, creating a rich dessert you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) melted butter

Chocolate Components:

• 2 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (for batter)
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (for topping)

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups (420 milliliters) hot water

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, blending flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well integrated.
3. Incorporate milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture, whisking until the batter achieves a smooth, consistent texture.
4. Distribute the batter evenly across the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
5. Generously sprinkle brown sugar and additional cocoa powder across the surface of the batter, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Gently pour hot water over the entire dish, allowing it to settle without disturbing the layered ingredients.
7. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a set top and slightly pulling edges that indicate proper doneness.
8. Remove from oven and let the cake rest for 10 minutes to allow the internal structure to stabilize.
9. Serve while still warm, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.

Notes

• Check butter temperature to ensure smooth batter consistency and prevent lumps.
• Sift dry ingredients for a more uniform cake texture and prevent cocoa powder clumps.
• Use room temperature milk to help ingredients blend seamlessly and create a silky batter.
• Resist stirring after pouring hot water, as this creates the signature pudding-like bottom layer with a rich, gooey chocolate sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 208 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 12 mg