Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

With this easy recipe, you can bake an irresistibly delicious and gooey Hot Fudge Pudding Cake! You’ll be amazed at the simple ingredients. They help create a rich, self-saucing chocolate layer. This makes the cake a decadent delight for those who love fudgy desserts. Top it with ice cream, and you’re in for a scrumptious treat!

This is a fun recipe to make. First, make the cake batter with the dry ingredients. Then, pour hot water on top. Slide it into the oven and wait for the magic to happen as it bakes. The hot water sinks in and creates a fudgy sauce. This sauce pools on the bottom of the pan. When you serve the cake, you get a delicious pudding-like consistency. This makes the chocolate cake a swoon-worthy dessert!

A cake that makes its very own sauce? Yes! This is the recipe you want when you need a chocolate fix! It’s super simple to make, too. Prep work takes just 5 minutes, and baking takes about 35 minutes. This incredible chocolate goodness is ready to enjoy in less than an hour. Make this one soon!

Ingredients Needed

Sugar – use white granulated.
Flour – use all-purpose flour.
Cocoa Powder – I use unsweetened.
Baking Powder – helps the cake to rise as it bakes.
Salt – this seasoning helps amplify the flavors.
Milk – I like to use whole milk.
Butter – melted and unsalted.
Vanilla Extract – for flavoring.
Brown Sugar – is used to help create the dry ingredient layer over the cake batter layer.
Hot Water – will be poured over the cake before baking. The hot water helps create the fudgy sauce as the cake bakes.

How To Make Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Note: this is a summary of the steps. For the complete instructions, see the recipe card below.

Pro Tips

• When you pour the hot water over the top of the cake in the pan, do not stir. Let the water sink to the bottom on its own. This is how the chocolate sauce develops as it bakes. So, pour evenly and slowly over the top, but don’t stir.
• Allow the cake to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This gives the pudding sauce a chance to set up before digging in. Also, because of the incredible gooey sauce, serving this in a bowl is best.

Variations

• The cake will have a mocha flavor if you substitute hot water for hot coffee (decaf is okay!).
• Swap out the milk for chocolate milk.
• Love nuts? Add chopped walnuts to the batter before spreading it in the pan.

Delicious Toppings Ideas

• Vanilla ice cream is hard to beat, but you can also consider other complimentary flavors. These include chocolate, chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, dulce de leche, coffee, butter pecan, and even peanut butter swirl.
• Whipped cream
• Warm caramel sauce
• Chocolate sauce
• Chopped nuts

Is This Cake Freezer-Friendly?

Sadly, no. Freezing the cake and thawing it later will affect the texture and consistency. This is due to the chocolate sauce created when baked. It will not give you the same chocolate pudding effect. This cake is best baked and served while still warm. If you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days. The sauce will stay intact. It will be delicious when eaten cold, like chilled pudding. Alternatively, you can warm up individual servings in the microwave.

Storage

This cake is best baked and served while still warm. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They can also be served cold or warmed up in the microwave.

More Easy Chocolate Desserts

Mississippi Mud Brownies
Classic Chocolate Cake
Easy No-Bake Chocolate Pie
Chocolate Ganache Tart
No-Bake Oreo Cookie Delight
Easy Chocolate Mousse
Warm Slow Cooker Brownie Pudding