Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake 🍫🍨

This Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake is an incredibly indulgent dessert that combines two layers of chocolate perfection in one dish. The top layer bakes into a light, fluffy chocolate cake, while the bottom transforms into a rich, gooey fudge sauce. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, it’s a dessert experience that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

With its decadent chocolate flavor, smooth texture, and irresistible combination of cake and fudge, this dessert is a perfect ending to a dinner party, holiday gathering, or even just as a comforting treat after a long day.

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Ingredients:

For the Cake Batter:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (🌾)
  This is the base of your cake, providing the structure and crumb.

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar (🍬)
  Adds sweetness to the cake and helps balance out the bitterness of the cocoa powder.

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder (🍫)
  This is what gives your cake its deep chocolate flavor. Be sure to use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results.

• 2 teaspoons baking powder (🧁)
  This helps the cake rise and become fluffy during baking.

• 1/4 teaspoon salt (🧂)
  Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.

• 1/2 cup milk (🥛)
  Provides moisture to the batter, making the cake soft and tender.

• 2 tablespoons melted butter (🧈)
  Adds richness and moisture to the cake. The melted butter helps to keep the cake moist while baking.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (🍦)
  A little vanilla enhances the overall flavor and complements the chocolate.

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (🌰) (optional)
  If you like a bit of crunch, adding nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds gives the cake an extra layer of texture. If you prefer a smoother cake, you can skip this ingredient.

For the Fudge Sauce:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar (🍯)
  Brown sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the fudge sauce.

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder (🍫)
  This ingredient deepens the chocolate flavor of the fudge sauce, ensuring it’s rich and gooey.

• 1 3/4 cups hot water (💦)
  The hot water is the key to creating the fudge sauce that forms beneath the cake as it bakes. It melts the sugar and cocoa powder into a smooth, fudgy consistency.

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Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  This ensures that the oven reaches the ideal temperature for baking the cake evenly.

• Grease a 9-inch square baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking.

2. Prepare the Cake Batter:

• Combine dry ingredients:
  In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisking the dry ingredients ensures that they’re evenly distributed and helps avoid clumping.

• Add wet ingredients:
  Pour in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined and smooth. You’ll notice that the batter will be quite thick, which is perfect for this recipe since it allows the cake to form its light, airy top layer.

• Add chopped nuts (optional):
  If you like a bit of texture, fold in chopped nuts. This adds crunch and complements the gooey, fudgy bottom layer. However, if you prefer a smooth, classic pudding cake, simply skip the nuts.

3. Prepare the Fudge Sauce:

• Combine dry ingredients for the sauce:
  In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar and cocoa powder. Stir well to ensure that both are fully combined, which helps prevent clumps in the fudge sauce.

• Add hot water:
  Pour the hot water over the sugar and cocoa mixture. Stir until the ingredients are fully dissolved, creating a smooth, runny sauce. You don’t need to worry about the consistency—it will thicken as it bakes and forms the delicious fudge layer beneath the cake.

4. Layer the Cake and Fudge Sauce:

• Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish:
  Spread the batter evenly in the dish with a spatula. The batter will be thick, but it will spread and rise nicely during baking.

• Pour the fudge sauce over the batter:
  Gently pour the prepared fudge sauce over the top of the cake batter. Do not stir the two together! The sauce will sink down to the bottom while baking, creating the signature gooey fudge layer beneath the cake as it bakes.

5. Bake the Cake:

• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the top layer is set and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean. The bottom of the dish should remain fudgy and gooey.

• Tip: Keep an eye on the cake while baking to ensure that the top sets properly and doesn’t overcook. You’ll know the cake is done when the edges look firm and the top is soft but not runny.

6. Serve and Enjoy:

• Cool slightly before serving:
  Let the cake sit for 5 minutes to cool slightly. This allows the fudgy sauce to thicken a bit and makes it easier to scoop out the cake with some of the warm sauce.

• Serve warm:
  Scoop the warm cake into bowls, ensuring you get some of that decadent fudge sauce from the bottom. Serve with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup for added indulgence.

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Tips for the Best Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake:

• Serving Suggestions:
  This cake is best served warm, so consider making it just before you plan to serve it. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or top it with a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

• Flavor Variations:
  Add espresso powder or cinnamon to the batter for a deeper flavor profile. A pinch of sea salt can also enhance the chocolate’s richness and balance the sweetness of the cake.

• Texture Variations:
  For extra texture, add chocolate chips or marshmallows to the batter. These will melt slightly and add a gooey, melty surprise within the cake.

• Storage:
  If you have leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat the cake in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds for a warm, fudgy treat the next day.

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This Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake is an indulgent dessert that combines the comfort of chocolate cake with a rich, warm fudge sauce at the bottom. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for any occasion that calls for a little extra sweetness. Whether you enjoy it with ice cream or on its own, it's sure to be a hit with friends and family alike. Enjoy! 🍫🍨