Description

This Hot Fudge Cake is a decadent dessert featuring a moist chocolate cake layer on top with a rich, gooey hot fudge sauce underneath. Baked in one dish, this easy recipe combines the best of both worlds with a simple batter covered by a luscious fudge sauce that bubbles up during baking. Perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, it’s a comforting treat ideal for chocolate lovers.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Fudge Sauce:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups hot water

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Instructions

Prepare the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture until the batter becomes smooth and uniform. Spread the batter evenly across the greased baking dish.
Prepare Fudge Sauce Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder and sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter in the baking dish.
Add Hot Water: Carefully and slowly pour the hot water over the sugar and cocoa mixture without stirring, allowing it to seep through the batter.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The top should set and develop a cake-like texture, while the edges bubble with hot fudge sauce underneath.
Serve: Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enjoy the warm, gooey hot fudge layer.

Notes

Do not stir after pouring the hot water over the fudge sauce ingredients; this separation creates the signature cake and sauce layers.
Use an 8×8-inch baking dish for best results to ensure proper baking time and fudge consistency.
The cake is best served warm to enjoy the gooey texture of the hot fudge sauce.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and heated gently before serving.