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