Description
Rich chocolate lovers will adore this hot fudge pudding cake from Southern kitchens. Warm chocolate sauce magically forms underneath a tender cake during baking, creating a luxurious dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups (300 ml/10 fl oz) hot water
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) whole milk
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) with rack positioned centrally, ensuring uniform heat distribution for optimal baking performance.
- Setup: Generously lubricate an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or butter, creating a non-stick surface that guarantees seamless cake release.
- Dry Ingredients: Sift and combine all dry components in a large mixing bowl, eliminating potential lumps and creating a smooth, homogeneous base.
- Wet Components: Integrate liquid ingredients in a separate vessel, whisking with precision to achieve a harmonious, silky consistency.
- Batter Formation: Delicately merge wet and dry mixtures, employing a gentle folding technique that preserves the batter’s delicate molecular structure and prevents potential toughness.
- Baking Preparation: Transfer batter into prepared dish, utilizing a spatula to distribute mixture evenly and ensure consistent depth across the container.
- Topping Application: Artfully scatter additional topping ingredients across the surface, creating a luxurious layer that will transform during the baking process.
- Oven Placement: Carefully introduce the dish into preheated oven, maintaining stability to prevent potential spillage or disruption.
- Baking Process: Allow cake to bake without interruption, avoiding unnecessary oven door openings that could compromise rising and texture development.
- Finishing Touch: Once baked, extract from oven and permit brief resting period, allowing internal temperature to equilibrate and flavors to harmonize, then serve warm with optional vanilla ice cream or powdered sugar garnish.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients to maintain a light, tender cake texture without developing tough gluten strands.
- Temperature Precision: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth blending and consistent baking results, helping achieve a perfectly moist cake.
- Topping Technique: Sprinkle sugar and cocoa evenly across the surface for a rich, caramelized bottom layer that creates a delightful pudding-like consistency during baking.
- Serving Smart: Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes after baking to allow the pudding-like sauce to set, making it easier to serve and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 41 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg