Irresistible Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

Decadent hot fudge chocolate pudding cake promises a magical dessert experience that melts hearts instantly.

Sweet aromas will drift through your kitchen, beckoning everyone closer.

Chocolate lovers understand the pure joy of warm, gooey treats emerging from the oven.

Layers of rich flavor create an irresistible indulgence that feels both comforting and luxurious.

Delightful textures blend soft cake with intense fudge sauce in each heavenly bite.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to craft this crowd-pleasing dessert.

Savor every spoonful and watch faces light up with pure delight.

Hot Fudge Cake Flavor Variations

• Vegan Chocolate Pudding Cake: Replace milk with almond milk, butter with coconut oil, and use flax egg as a binder. Swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a healthier option.
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Delight: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Treat: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar. Reduce overall sugar content while maintaining rich chocolate flavor.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Indulgence: Swap cow's milk with oat milk or soy milk. Use dairy-free margarine or vegetable oil in place of butter.

Perfect Pairings For Hot Fudge Cake

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop rich, cold vanilla ice cream directly onto the warm chocolate pudding cake, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that melts beautifully.
• Complement with Bold Red Wine: Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, whose deep fruit notes and robust tannins perfectly balance the cake's intense chocolate flavor.
• Match with Fresh Raspberry Coulis: Drizzle tangy, bright raspberry sauce around the cake, cutting through the dessert's richness and adding a fresh, acidic element that enhances the chocolate's depth.
• Serve with Smooth Espresso: Pour a small shot of strong, freshly brewed espresso alongside the cake, allowing its bitter undertones to highlight the dessert's sweet and decadent chocolate profile.

How To Store Hot Fudge Cake

• Store covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the cake in the original baking pan, tightly wrapped with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Warm individual servings for 20-30 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and add 10-second intervals if needed. Avoid overheating to maintain moisture.
• Warm at 325F for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent additional browning. Remove foil for the last 2-3 minutes to restore slight crispness on top.

Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake FAQs

• How does the hot fudge chocolate pudding cake form its sauce?

During baking, the boiling water and dry sugar-cocoa mixture create a self-saucing effect. As the cake bakes, the liquid settles underneath, forming a rich, gooey chocolate sauce at the bottom of the pan.

• Can I use different types of sugar for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute granulated sugar with caster sugar or even coconut sugar. For brown sugar, light or dark brown sugar both work well, though they might slightly alter the final flavor intensity.

• Is this dessert suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! The recipe uses standard vegetarian ingredients like flour, milk, butter, sugar, and cocoa powder. It does not contain any meat or animal-based products that would make it non-vegetarian.

Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake Highlights

• Delightfully Decadent: Indulge in a rich, gooey chocolate dessert that transforms during baking, creating a magical hot fudge sauce right in the pan.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Pleasure: With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can create this impressive chocolate treat without advanced baking skills.
• Perfect for Chocolate Lovers: This warm, intensely chocolatey dessert satisfies deep cocoa cravings with its double-chocolate punch from both cake and sauce layers.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Dessert: Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or when you need a quick sweet fix that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients Checklist For Hot Fudge Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft white flour that provides structure and texture to the chocolate cake.
• Granulated Sugar: A sweet ingredient that adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Cocoa Powder: A rich chocolate powder that delivers deep chocolate flavor to the dessert.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: A small amount that enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Milk: A liquid ingredient that adds moisture and helps bind the cake ingredients together.
• Unsalted Butter: A rich ingredient that provides flavor and helps create a smooth cake batter.
• Vanilla Extract: A flavor enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the chocolate cake.

• Granulated Sugar: A sweet component that creates a caramel-like sauce base.
• Brown Sugar: A molasses-rich sugar that adds deep, complex sweetness to the sauce.
• Cocoa Powder: A chocolate ingredient that intensifies the rich chocolate flavor of the sauce.
• Boiling Water: A liquid that helps create the signature hot fudge pudding texture.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic topping that complements the warm chocolate cake perfectly.

How To Make Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9-inch square baking pan and lightly coat the inside with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Cake Base

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk in milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the batter becomes smooth and silky. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Step 3: Craft Decadent Sauce Layer

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Cocoa powder

Sprinkle this sweet mixture generously over the cake batter. Carefully pour boiling water over the top of the batter, making sure not to disturb the layers by stirring.

Step 4: Bake and Transform

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. The cake will magically create its own hot fudge sauce during baking. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 15 minutes to allow the sauce to set slightly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the warm chocolate pudding cake into serving bowls. The cake will have a gooey, rich sauce underneath a tender chocolate cake top. Serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Tips For Rich Hot Fudge Cake

• Boost Moisture Magic: Pour boiling water gently over the batter to create a luscious, self-saucing pudding that develops a rich, gooey chocolate layer underneath.
• Perfect Serving Timing: Allow the cake to rest for 15 minutes after baking, which helps the sauce set and makes cutting and serving easier.
• Temperature Precision: Use an accurate oven thermometer to ensure 350F for consistent baking results and optimal chocolate cake texture.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace milk with almond or oat milk to make the recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan individuals without compromising flavor.
• Storage Smart Tip: Store leftover pudding cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, gently reheating before serving to restore its warm, decadent qualities.

Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible hot fudge chocolate pudding cake promises pure dessert bliss with its gooey center and rich chocolate intensity. Warm spoonfuls of this heavenly treat will transport guests straight to chocolate paradise, satisfying sweet cravings with minimal effort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups (10 fluid ounces) boiling water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch square baking pan with a light greasing to prevent sticking.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the dry cake ingredients including flour, half of the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well integrated.
3. Incorporate milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture, stirring until a smooth, consistent batter forms.
4. Transfer the chocolate batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, ensuring an equal distribution.
5. Create the sauce layer by sprinkling the remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, and additional cocoa powder directly over the cake batter.
6. Carefully pour boiling water across the top of the batter, allowing it to settle naturally without mixing or stirring.
7. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the cake develops a slightly set texture with a gooey underneath layer.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the dessert to rest and cool for 15 minutes, which helps the sauce to thicken and settle.
9. Serve warm, ensuring each portion includes both the cake and the rich, chocolate sauce that has formed during baking.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter mixing and consistent texture.
• Avoid overmixing the cake batter to prevent tough, dense results; stir just until ingredients are combined.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurement.
• Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence and temperature contrast with warm pudding cake.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 234 kcal
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 186 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg