Gooey Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe for Dessert Bliss

Chocolate lovers rejoice as this hot fudge pudding cake recipe delivers pure decadence in every spoonful.

Rich, gooey layers of warm chocolate melt seamlessly into a luscious dessert that promises instant comfort.

The magic happens when the cake bakes, creating a stunning contrast between the crisp top and the molten chocolate underneath.

Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this dessert accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

Warm from the oven, this cake transforms an ordinary evening into a celebration of sweet indulgence.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures that dance between soft cake and silky chocolate sauce.

You’ll want to serve this irresistible dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate taste experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 7

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake: Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the cake's foundation.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, delicate texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy rise and soft cake texture.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Melted Butter: Creates richness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens chocolate notes and adds aromatic warmth.

• Brown Sugar: Introduces caramel-like depth and creates gooey bottom layer.
• Additional Granulated Sugar: Helps form decadent fudge-like sauce.
• Additional Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate experience.
• Hot Water: Triggers magical transformation, creating luscious pudding-like sauce underneath.

Tools for Making Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

• Stand Mixer: Perfect for blending batter smoothly and quickly.
• 2-Quart Ceramic Dish or 9-Inch Square Baking Pan: Essential for baking the cake with even heat distribution.
• Small Bowl: Great for mixing dry sugar and cocoa powder topping.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Measuring Spoons: Needed for precise baking powder and salt amounts.
• Pot: For heating water to just under a simmer.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and spread batter evenly.
• Oven Mitts: Protect hands when handling hot dishes.

Instructions for a Gooey Fudge Pudding Cake

• Kitchen Preparation

Warm your oven to a cozy 350°F. Get a tea kettle or pot ready to boil water for the magical sauce.

• Cake Base Creation

Mix dry ingredients in a spacious bowl – focusing on flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Gently incorporate milk, melted butter, and vanilla until silky smooth.

• Batter Distribution

Pour the velvety mixture into a ceramic or glass baking dish, spreading it evenly like a warm chocolate blanket.

• Surprise Chocolate Layer

Sprinkle a delightful combination of sugars and cocoa powder over the batter. Carefully pour hot water across the top without stirring – this creates the secret fudgy sauce.

• Baking Magic

Slide the dish into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the center looks almost set but still slightly jiggly. Let it rest for 15 minutes after removing from the oven.

• Serving Delight

Scoop generous portions into bowls, making sure to capture the rich chocolate sauce pooled at the bottom. Crown with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

Pudding Cake Tweaks for a Richer Taste

• Swap regular cocoa powder with Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor that adds extra depth to the dessert.
• Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the batter before baking to introduce a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.
• Mix in a tablespoon of espresso powder or instant coffee granules to intensify the chocolate taste and create a more complex dessert profile.
• Replace milk with almond milk or coconut milk for a lactose-free version that maintains the cake's signature gooey texture and rich taste.
• Garnish with fresh raspberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate the dessert's presentation and add complementary flavors.

How to Serve Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Right

• Sweet Sundae Celebration: Top the warm cake with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, letting the cold, smooth ice cream melt into the rich, gooey chocolate pudding cake for a delightful temperature contrast.
• Nutty Chocolate Paradise: Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts over the cake for a delightful crunch that complements the soft, decadent chocolate texture and adds a wonderful nutty flavor.
• Raspberry Chocolate Dream: Garnish with fresh raspberries or a light raspberry coulis to bring a tangy, bright note that cuts through the intense chocolate richness, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Whipped Cream Wonder: Crown the cake with a dollop of freshly whipped cream, dusted with a light sprinkle of cocoa powder, to add a soft, airy element that balances the dense, fudgy cake underneath.

Keeping Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Warm Later

• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The rich chocolate sauce will keep its delicious moisture and texture.
• Room Temperature Timing: Allow cake to cool completely before covering to prevent condensation and potential soggy texture. Use a glass container with a tight-fitting lid for best results.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheating Magic: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Add a fresh scoop of vanilla ice cream to restore the dessert's original warm, gooey appeal.

Gooey Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers will adore this classic hot fudge pudding cake from Southern United States kitchens. Rich layers meld into a gooey dessert that serves warm comfort in each spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened Hershey’s cocoa powder
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup milk
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups hot water
• Vanilla ice cream (as desired)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat water until steaming, creating the foundation for this decadent dessert.
2. Craft Batter Base: Whisk together dry ingredients – granulated sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Blend in milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until silky smooth, forming a rich chocolate canvas.
3. Layer and Distribute: Pour the velvety batter into a greased 2-quart ceramic dish or 9-inch square baking pan, ensuring an even, inviting surface.
4. Create Magical Topping: Sprinkle a tantalizing blend of remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder across the batter, setting the stage for a luxurious surprise.
5. Infuse with Liquid Magic: Delicately cascade hot water over the entire surface, allowing it to gently penetrate the layers without disturbing the carefully constructed composition.
6. Bake to Perfection: Slide the dish into the heated oven, transforming the ingredients for 35-40 minutes in a ceramic dish or 30-35 minutes in a metal pan. Watch for the center to set with a promise of gooey goodness.
7. Rest and Develop: Carefully remove from the oven and let the cake rest for 15 minutes, allowing the layers to meld and the sauce to develop its rich, indulgent character.
8. Serve with Flair: Scoop generous portions into individual bowls, capturing the luscious fudgy sauce that nestles at the bottom of the pan.
9. Elevate the Experience: Optional final touch – crown each serving with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert indulgence.

Notes

• Prepare Hot Water Carefully: Use steaming water, not boiling, to prevent burning the delicate cake batter and ensure the perfect sauce consistency.
• Layer Ingredients Strategically: Sprinkle sugar-cocoa topping evenly without mixing, creating a magical self-saucing pudding effect during baking.
• Monitor Baking Time Precisely: Watch the cake closely, as baking times vary between ceramic and metal pans; the center should be almost set but not completely dry.
• Rest and Serve Strategically: Allow the cake to rest for 15 minutes, letting layers settle and sauce develop a rich, gooey texture before scooping and serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 41 g
• Sodium: 185 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 38 mg