Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Name: Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all purpose flour; 1/2 light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon instant coffee; 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup milk; 1/3 cup butter (melted); 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup light brown sugar; 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 1/4 hot water

February 7, 2023
5 from 4 votes
19 comments

Jump to Recipe
Leave Review
SaveSaved
Pin

This Hot Fudge Pudding Cake is a family favorite recipe! Gooey hot fudge underneath a layer of moist chocolate cake! You make it just like a cobbler by pouring hot water on top! This cake is best served warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Love hot fudge as much as me? Then try my Individual Chocolate Fudge Cakes!

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox! You will also receive other new recipes in your inbox weekly!

Hershey’s Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

To me there is nothing better than hot fudge. Especially hidden underneath a layer of rich chocolate cake. This hot fudge pudding cake (aka as a chocolate cobbler) is the perfect addition to ice cream and makes a pretty awesome sundae! It’s super rich, gooey and loaded with chocolate. This chocolate pudding cake is hard to resist!

It is so easy to make this cake. All you need is 10 minutes of prep time! Simply mix up the batter portion of the cake in one bowl them mix up the hot fudge portion in another. No need for a stand mixer.

The cake batter goes on the bottom and the brown sugar + cocoa powder gets sprinkled on top. Next you pour the hot water over the batter. That’s it! Make sure not to stir the hot water after it is added. Leaving it rest on the top makes the layer of gooey thick fudge!

Ingredients

Flour: I use all purpose flour in this recipe however gluten free flour can be substituted.
Light Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar in the cake instead of granulated sugar. This helps keep the cake moist and adds flavor to the hot fudge cake!
Instant Coffee Granules: Brings out the chocolate flavor in the cake. You can also use espresso powder if you have it!
Unsweetened Cocoa powder: The better quality cocoa powder the better!
Baking Powder: Is used as a leavener for the cake.
Salt: Intensifies the chocolate flavor.
Milk: I use 2% milk however whole milk or 1% can be substituted. You can even use nut or oat milk in this recipe!
Unsalted Butter: Gives the cake a nice richness and buttery flavor. Salted butter can be used just make sure to omit the added salt.
Vanilla Extract: Adds the perfect amount of flavor to the cake.

How to make Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Make cake batter: In a large bowl combine flour, brown sugar, instant coffee, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Stir in milk, butter and vanilla. Mix until combined, do not overmix.

Pour the batter into a 9 x 9 greased pan and set aside.

In a small bowl combine brown sugar and cocoa powder. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.

Pour the hot water on top. Do not stir. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes.

Serve immediately with a big scoop of ice cream! This hot fudge cake is best served warm!

Tips

I like to use a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe. This will make the cake taste the richest! You could also use Dutch processed cocoa powder for a dark chocolate / bittersweet taste.
This recipe can be doubled if you are making this for a crowd. Simply double all of the ingredients and add it to a 9 x 13 pan instead of the 8 x 8.
This pudding cake is best served hot. To serve leftovers rewarm the cake in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
For an extra boost of chocolate flavor add semi sweet chocolate chips to the batter before baking.
For a crunch try adding chopped walnuts with the dry ingredients before baking!
Try not to over mix the cake. The more you mix the batter the tougher the cake will be.

Here are more Easy Dessert Recipes to try!