Description
This Hot Fudge Cake is a delightful self-saucing chocolate dessert with a rich, fudgy sauce beneath a light chocolate cake. Easy to prepare and perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream, it’s an irresistible treat for chocolate lovers.
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
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for topping)
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
Optional
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to ensure the cake doesn’t stick and is easy to serve.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until a smooth batter forms, taking care not to overmix.
- Layer Batter: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top to create an even layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and remaining 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter without stirring it in.
- Add Hot Water: Slowly pour the hot water over the top of the brown sugar and cocoa mixture. Do not stir; this will create the fudgy sauce as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cake has risen and the top appears set. A luscious chocolate sauce should form underneath.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a perfect contrast of temperatures and flavors.
Notes
- Best served warm immediately after baking to enjoy the fudgy sauce texture.
- For an enhanced chocolate depth, add a pinch of espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
- Replace the hot water with hot coffee to further deepen the chocolate flavor.
