🍫 Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake – A Warm, Gooey, Chocolate Lover’s Dream

When it comes to comfort desserts, few can rival the rich, gooey bliss of a Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake. It’s one of those magical recipes where a simple batter transforms—almost like sorcery—into a soft, spongy chocolate cake on top and a luscious fudge sauce underneath. It’s warm, decadent, and spooned straight from the oven into bowls, best enjoyed with a scoop of ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream.

Whether you need something cozy for a winter night, a special treat for guests, or a fuss-free dessert with maximum payoff, this old-fashioned pudding cake is always a winner. Plus, it’s easy to make with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

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🍰 What Is a Chocolate Pudding Cake?

Don’t let the name confuse you—this isn’t pudding as in instant mix or boxed dessert. Instead, this dessert is a self-saucing chocolate cake. You make a simple chocolate batter, sprinkle on a sugar-cocoa topping, then pour boiling water over the top. As the cake bakes, the top rises and sets into a soft cake, while the bottom transforms into a thick, hot fudge-like sauce.

The contrast of textures—spongy cake on top and warm, gooey pudding on the bottom—is pure comfort food perfection.

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🛒 Ingredients – Simple Pantry Staples, Big Flavor

For the Cake:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or plain flour)
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Fudge Sauce:

• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1-1/4 cups boiling water

🔎 Note: Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder for both the batter and the sauce to get that deep, dark chocolate flavor.

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🔪 Directions – How to Make This Pudding Cake Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish. While you’re preparing the batter, bring water to a boil in a kettle for the sauce step.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Add in the 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk just until smooth and lump-free.

Pour this batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth it out into an even layer.

Step 3: Add the Fudge Sauce Layer

In a small bowl, stir together the remaining:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

Sprinkle this dry mixture evenly over the batter in the baking dish.

Now comes the key step: slowly pour the 1-1/4 cups of boiling water directly over the top of the cake. Do not stir. The water will seem to just sit on top—this is exactly what it’s supposed to do.

💡 Baking Magic Tip: As the cake bakes, the batter will rise and the water will sink, creating the fudge sauce underneath.

Step 4: Bake

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top of the cake is almost set and springs back gently when touched.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes—this helps the pudding layer thicken slightly.

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🍦 Serving Suggestions

Serve the cake warm, spooning into dessert bowls so you get both the cake layer and the fudge sauce underneath.

Top with:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• A dollop of whipped cream
• Fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a little extra flair

This cake is at its best the day it’s made, warm from the oven, with that molten chocolate sauce coating every bite.

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🕒 Recipe Recap

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Calories: 252 kcal per serving

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💡 Expert Baking Tips

• Don’t stir the boiling water once you pour it over the topping—this is key to creating the separate pudding layer underneath.
• Use a kettle or saucepan to get the water fully boiling before pouring.
• Test for doneness by checking the top—it should look like a soft cake with some bubbling at the edges from the fudge underneath.
• Let it rest for 15 minutes after baking. The pudding thickens a little and the flavor deepens.

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🍫 Variations

Want to make it your own? Try these tasty twists:

• Add chocolate chips to the batter for extra gooeyness
• Use espresso powder or brewed coffee instead of boiling water to intensify the chocolate flavor
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne for a Mexican chocolate version
• Stir in chopped nuts or top with toasted almonds for texture

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🧊 Storage & Reheating

This dessert is best enjoyed fresh, but you can save leftovers.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30–45 seconds to bring back the fudge sauce consistency
• Freezing not recommended, as the pudding layer may become grainy or separate

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❤️ Why We Love This Dessert

Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake is:

• ✅ Simple to make with pantry ingredients
• ✅ No mixer required—just two bowls and a whisk
• ✅ Rich and indulgent, yet not overly heavy
• ✅ Fun and magical—every time you serve it, guests are amazed by the built-in sauce
• ✅ A chocolate lover’s dream come true

This is the dessert that satisfies every craving—warm, soft, saucy, sweet, and just decadent enough.

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📌 Final Thoughts: A Dessert to Bookmark and Repeat

If you’ve never tried a self-saucing pudding cake, this Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake is the perfect place to start. It’s easy, magical, and incredibly delicious. Whether you’re ending a cozy winter meal, celebrating a birthday, or just want a little chocolate therapy after a long day, this dessert hits every note.

So get your ingredients ready, preheat that oven, and prepare to fall in love with one of the simplest yet most impressive chocolate desserts you’ll ever make.

Don’t forget to Pin it, print it, and share it—it’s a keeper!

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