Heavenly Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

A luscious hot fudge chocolate pudding cake that melts hearts faster than it dissolves on your plate.

chocolate lovers will instantly fall in love with this decadent dessert that promises pure indulgence.

Rich, gooey, and irresistibly warm, this cake delivers comfort in every single bite.

The magic happens when you combine simple ingredients to create something extraordinary.

Pulling a steaming dish from the oven, revealing a molten center that beckons you closer.

Each spoonful promises a symphony of deep chocolate flavors that dance across your palate.

Grab a fork and get ready to experience pure dessert bliss that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Irresistible Reasons To Make Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

• Create Magical Chocolate Moments: This dessert transforms simple ingredients into a decadent, self-saucing pudding cake that surprises with its rich, molten chocolate bottom.
• Effortless Baking Delight: Minimal mixing and just one pan make this recipe incredibly easy, perfect for home bakers who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Warm Comfort in Every Bite: The contrast between the soft, tender cake and the gooey, intense chocolate sauce delivers a luxurious dessert experience that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Solution: Ideal for last-minute gatherings, family dinners, or when chocolate cravings strike, this cake impresses without complicated techniques or extensive preparation time.

What You’ll Need For Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cake together, choose unbleached for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet foundation that helps create a tender cake texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor, natural cocoa works best for deep taste.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create smooth batter consistency.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains soft and moist, neutral flavor preferred.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall chocolate flavor, pure extract recommended.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Cocoa Powder: Creates a rich, layered sweet chocolate topping that transforms into a gooey fudge sauce during baking.
• Hot Water: Magical ingredient that creates the hidden fudge sauce underneath the cake when baked.

Steps To Bake Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Grab an 8×8-inch baking dish and give it a light coating of cooking spray or butter. Crank up the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Create Delectable Cake Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

• Whole milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and dreamy. Spread this chocolatey goodness evenly across your prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Craft Magical Topping

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Cocoa powder

Sprinkle this sweet mixture like fairy dust all over the cake batter, covering it completely.

Step 4: Unleash the Fudge Magic

Gently pour hot water over the entire surface. Don’t panic! This looks weird, but trust the process. The liquid will sit on top and transform into a luscious sauce during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Let it bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top looks set and slightly puffy, with a bubbling sauce hiding underneath.

Step 6: Indulge and Enjoy

Give the cake a quick 5-10 minute cool-down period. Scoop generous portions into bowls, making sure to capture that incredible fudgy sauce. For ultimate decadence, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Pro Tip: This dessert is best served warm, when the sauce is at its gooey, chocolatey best. Gather your friends and watch their eyes light up with the first bite!

Tips For Nailing Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

• Boost Moisture Magic: Add a splash of strong coffee instead of water to intensify the chocolate flavor and create deeper, richer notes.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this decadent dessert.
• Prevent Sticking Success: Line the baking dish with parchment paper for effortless removal and easier cleanup, preventing potential cake breakage.
• Temperature Control Trick: Use room temperature milk and ingredients to help batter blend smoothly and ensure even baking throughout the dessert.
• Serve with Style: Dust the warm cake with powdered sugar or sprinkle chopped nuts on top for extra texture and visual appeal right before serving.

How To Store And Reheat Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

• Refrigeration: Store leftover hot fudge chocolate pudding cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Seal the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delicious texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months to preserve the cake's rich flavor and soft consistency.
• Reheating (Oven): Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. Warm in a preheated 325F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. This method helps restore the cake's original gooey texture.
• Reheating (Microwave): Zap individual servings for 20-30 seconds, checking midway to ensure even heating. Add a small splash of water to prevent the cake from becoming too dry.

Tasty Pairings For Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a generous scoop of cold, smooth vanilla ice cream alongside the warm chocolate pudding cake. The contrasting temperatures and textures create a heavenly dessert experience that melts in your mouth.
• Complement with Rich Espresso: Brew a strong, bold espresso to enhance the deep chocolate flavors. The coffee's intense profile cuts through the cake's sweetness, creating a sophisticated and balanced dessert pairing.
• Match with Raspberry Liqueur: Drizzle a small amount of raspberry liqueur over the cake or serve a shot on the side. The bright, fruity notes of the liqueur provide a delightful contrast to the rich, chocolatey dessert.
• Enjoy with Hazelnut Liqueur: Pour a small glass of hazelnut liqueur to sip alongside the cake. The nutty, smooth liqueur complements the chocolate's depth and adds an extra layer of indulgence to the dessert.

Fun Ways To Twist Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

• Espresso Chocolate Dream: Enhance the cake's richness by adding 2 tablespoons of strong espresso to the batter and sprinkling instant coffee granules over the topping for an intense coffee-chocolate flavor profile.
• Nutty Chocolate Indulgence: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds into the batter and sprinkle additional nuts on top before baking, creating a crunchy texture that complements the gooey chocolate sauce.
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Fusion: Mix a tablespoon of caramel sauce into the batter and drizzle extra caramel with a pinch of sea salt over the finished cake for a sophisticated sweet-salty combination.
• Berry Chocolate Swirl: Fold fresh raspberries or strawberry chunks into the batter and top the finished cake with a raspberry coulis or fresh berries to add a fruity brightness to the rich chocolate dessert.

Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake FAQs Answered

• Why does this cake have a sauce at the bottom?

The magic happens during baking. The hot water and sugar topping create a self-saucing effect, forming a delicious hot fudge layer beneath the cake as it bakes.

• Is this dessert more like a cake or a pudding?

It’s a unique hybrid! The top becomes a soft chocolate cake while the bottom transforms into a rich, gooey chocolate sauce. It’s like a cake and pudding in one delightful dessert.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. The other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you can easily adapt this recipe for those with gluten sensitivities.

• What makes this dessert different from a regular chocolate cake?

Unlike traditional cakes, this version creates its own sauce during baking. The layered technique means you get a warm, saucy chocolate treat without separately preparing a sauce.

Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers rejoice with this soul-warming Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake that melts hearts and satisfies deepest dessert cravings. Rich, gooey layers of intense chocolate promise pure indulgence you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (20 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ¼ cups (300 milliliters) hot water

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and coating an 8-inch square pan with a light layer of grease to prevent sticking.
2. Create the cake foundation by combining dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth and even blend of flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. Incorporate liquid elements into the dry mixture, gently stirring milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until a uniform batter emerges with a silky consistency.
4. Distribute the batter carefully across the prepared pan, using a spatula to achieve an even surface that will support the upcoming layers.
5. Craft a decadent topping by mixing granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder in a separate container, creating a layer of sweet complexity.
6. Generously scatter the sugar-cocoa mixture over the cake batter, ensuring complete and uniform coverage that will transform during baking.
7. Delicately pour hot water across the entire surface, allowing the liquid to rest on top without disturbing the layered ingredients underneath.
8. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, watching for a slightly puffed top and visible bubbling sauce.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to rest for 5-10 minutes, permitting the molten sauce to stabilize and develop rich, intense flavors.
10. Serve directly from the pan, scooping generous portions that capture both the cake and the hidden fudge sauce, optionally accompanied by a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

• Swap out regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly dessert that maintains the same rich chocolate texture and decadent taste.
• Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for those monitoring blood sugar levels or seeking a lower-calorie option.
• Create dairy-free variations by substituting milk with almond, coconut, or oat milk, ensuring those with lactose intolerance can enjoy this indulgent dessert.
• Use high-quality cocoa powder for an intense chocolate flavor that elevates the entire pudding cake from good to extraordinary, transforming a simple dessert into a gourmet experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 31g
• Sodium: 140mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 5mg