Description
This Chocolate Pudding Cake is a delightful dessert that bakes up with a rich cocoa cake layer on top and a luscious chocolate pudding sauce underneath. It’s easy to prepare, using simple pantry ingredients, and perfect for an indulgent treat served warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup hot water
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square baking dish thoroughly with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined and uniform.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until everything is combined; avoid overmixing for a tender cake.
- Make the Chocolate Sauce Layer: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish without spreading or smoothing. Sprinkle the packed brown sugar evenly over the surface of the batter.
- Add Hot Water: Slowly and carefully pour the hot water over the top of the batter and brown sugar layer. Do not stir; the hot water will sink beneath the batter and create a gooey chocolate pudding layer as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Bake until the top cake layer is set, slightly golden at the edges, and the center remains soft and pudding-like.
- Serve: Allow the cake to sit for 5 minutes after baking to set the pudding sauce. Spoon generous portions onto plates, ensuring each serving has some of the warm chocolate pudding underneath. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Do not stir after adding the hot water; this technique creates the signature pudding sauce beneath the cake.
- Use a baking dish that is approximately 9 inches in size to ensure proper cooking.
- Allow the cake to rest briefly after baking to let the pudding layer thicken.
- For a richer dessert, serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
