Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

You’ve heard the phrase “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”?  Well, guys, I am giving you a gift this Valentine’s Day. The way to a woman’s heart (at least this woman’s) is through CHOCOLATE!  And do not say anything about not being able to bake. This Hot Fudge Pudding Cake does not require a mixer or even the breaking of eggs. If you can boil water in a microwave, you can do this. You must, however, READ THE DIRECTIONS (apologies for the age-old, stereotyping joke … but you really must).

make an impression

When my oldest son was a senior in high school, he and his best friend wanted to go somewhere warm for spring break. Knowing their parents well, they realized the only way they might pull it off is if they asked if the two families would consider going on a short cruise together.

Smart boys.

On this cruise, one of the most popular desserts was a chocolate lava cake. I cannot count how many of those cakes our group ate on a three-day cruise. A few months later, we invited their family over for dinner and you should have seen the look on their faces when I told them what we were having for dessert. This simple offering initiated another round of memories and, to this day, Miami, Key West, Cozumel and lava cake are words spoken together with affection.

hot fudge pudding cake

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Hot chocolate meets lava cake in this simple but luxurious dessert. This is a recipe you must keep handy for special occasions like Valentine's Day or last minute dinner guests.

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 7 tablespoons cocoa powder divided
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine melted, but not hot
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cup boiling water

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Spray an 8" or 9" glass pan or casserole dish with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, stir together 3/4 cup granulated sugar, flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt. Blend in milk, butter and vanilla; mix until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.
  
• In a separate bowl, stir together remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar and remaining 4 tablespoons cocoa; sprinkle mixture evenly over batter (it looks like a lot but that's the key).
  
• Gently pour boiling water over top; do not stir.
  
• Bake 35-40 minutes. The top of the cake should be mostly set when the pan is moved.
• Remove from oven. Allow to cool at least 15 minutes.
• Serve while warm with ice cream or whipped topping.

Keyword cake, chocolate, dessert, hot fudge, lava, recipe

personal servings

Ramekins make a nice, easy-to-serve option. I used 6 (7-oz) ramekins instead of my usual square baking dish. It worked. But it didn’t work as well as the square baking dish. I have a couple ideas why, but the point is, it was still delicious! Not perfect … it wasn’t quite as “fudgy” as it usually turns out in the pan. But isn’t that the point of Valentine’s Day? Nobody’s perfect … just “perfect” to you!

make it even better

Want to put this Valentine’s Day completely over the top?

DO.THE.DISHES. (there aren’t many)

Warm chocolate dessert. Clean countertops. A small bouquet of flowers on the table.

Enjoy a thoughtful Valentine’s Day (or any day) picnic.

P.S. Another pudding cake that we love is this Rhubarb Pudding Cake. It is more cake than gooey dessert but it is equally delicious!