Description
This Hot Fudge Cake is a luscious self-saucing chocolate dessert that features a rich, fudgy sauce beneath a tender cake layer. Perfectly baked to create a warm, comforting treat, it’s easy to prepare and ideal for serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping and Sauce
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
Optional
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture until you form a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Spread Batter: Pour and spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish to form a uniform layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar with the remaining 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter without stirring, allowing it to create a topping layer.
- Add Hot Water: Carefully and slowly pour the hot water over the sugar and cocoa powder topping without mixing. This will create the self-saucing effect during baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the cake has risen and the top appears set. Underneath, a rich, fudgy sauce will form.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool for 5–10 minutes before serving warm. Optionally, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.
Notes
- Best enjoyed warm immediately after baking for maximum gooeyness.
- Adding a pinch of espresso powder to the dry ingredients enhances the chocolate depth.
- Substituting the hot water with hot coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor.
