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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat water until steaming, creating the foundation for this decadent dessert.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve with Flair: Scoop generous portions into individual bowls, capturing the luscious fudgy sauce that nestles at the bottom of the pan.
- 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