When my guy really, really likes a recipe, he gives it grunts. Sometimes one, sometimes two, and on the very rare occasion, three.
I like when my guy gives my recipes grunts. What can I say – I get a certain sort of satisfaction out of it. One grunt makes me smile. Three and I practically jump into the air. Just call me a 50s housewife, I don’t care.
Wait. I just realized you guys might be imagining actual grunts. And now I’m imagining him making actual grunts over food too. And giggling.
No no. Metaphorical grunts. They’re sort of like giving a recipe stars, but in a manly way.
This recipe didn’t quite make it to the coveted three-grunt club, but! It was super, super close.
“Two grunts,” my guy said. “Maybe 2.5.”
Two and a half grunts up! No chump change, that.
While you’re mentally trying to figure out what half a grunt sounds like, I’ll go ahead and tell you a little about this recipe.
It’s really sort of a weird one, in the way that it comes together. You spread a thick batter into the pan. Then you top it with chocolate chips. Then you sprinkle a dry mix of cocoa and sugars over the top. Then you pour some hot water and instant espresso over the top.
Then you bake it, and magical things happen. A rich, gooey cake forms on the top, and a warm, melty, dark, fudgy sauce forms on the bottom.
Things really get real when you spoon it into a bowl along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The ice cream gets all melty and cuts the super-sweet richness of the cake and the sauce.
Grunt-worthy indeed. Metaphorical or out loud.
Deep Dark Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 7 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa (divided (I like Hershey's Special Dark))
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 1/4 cups hot water
- 3 teaspoons instant espresso powder (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, mix together 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar, flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
- Spread this batter mixture into an 8" x 8" baking pan.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- In another medium bowl, stir together the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 4 tablespoons cocoa, and brown sugar.
- Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the batter.
- In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, stir together the espresso powder and the hot water.
- Carefully pour the hot water mixture over the top of the cake. Do not stir.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until the center is no longer jiggly.
- Spoon cake and sauce into bowls and top with immediately with ice cream or whipped cream.
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, with a name like mine, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
Oh my word this looks sooooooo good. I’d love to eat the entire cake. YUM!! 🙂
Forget grunting, I would be groaning for some of this. I am making one this weekend. I love ooey gooey chocolate. Lovely!
Now this is how to kick off a long weekend!
this looks decadent!
Can this be made without the espresso powder? Either way, it looks DELICIOUS!
Hi Mary, yes, absolutely! Just use hot water. I like the extra oomph the espresso powder gives the chocolate flavor but it’s still plenty rich and decadent without.
This looks ammmmazzinnggg! This will definitely be made at some point..I hope sooner rather than later 🙂 gorgeous
That scoop of ice cream is the perfect addition! The cake looks so rich and fudgey…I think I’d need ice cream to balance it all out. Love!
This looks soooo good! I think I could go for some right now 🙂 Love the grunts!
wow this looks sooooooo good!!! I always sneaks spoonfuls of brownies baking in the oven before it’s fully cooked because i love that gooey fudgy chocolate stuff! I’ll have to try this one!
I was looking at the pictures and I found myself drooling! I’ll give this pudding 5 grunts.
I made this tonight for a dinner party and everyone LOVED it! I dislike chocolate cake and I thought this was delicious!
im about to make this Cake the nw
I adapted this recipe to make it only 8 sugars per serving. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂 http://coffeeclutterandchaos.com/2013/02/19/diabetic-chocolate-death-pudding-cake-4-ww-points/
I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web log!
Do you know if this could be made with a boxed cake mix as the base (maybe leave out 1 egg…?) The topping trick is the same as a recipe I found in a “Christian Home” cookbook, but, of course, they didn’t use a box mix either…maybe I’ll just try it.
I put these ingredients in a nice jar and gave them as Christmas presents with the recipe tied to the jar. They loved them as gifts and the taste of it also!! Great recipe!!!Thanks
I adore this idea! Thank you for sharing!
Hi,
I have been waiting for ages to try this recipe out and I plan to make this tomorrow.
Wondering if I make it in advance in the morning and then just warm it up a bit , later in the evening before serving – will that work out all right ?
How long should i warm it up for before serving ?
I calculated this out with the Weight Watcher App and it comes to 15 points unsung no calorie sweetener instead of the sugar. With white sugar the points would be exorbitant.! Why does it say 6 Weight Watchers Smart Points?
Yeah, health food it is not! 🙂 Janet, where did you see anything about 6 Weight Watchers Smart Points? Curious. Thanks!
Can store bought hot fudge topping be used?
On top when serving, it would probably be glorious. In the recipe itself, I don’t think it would work. 🙂
Can I save this in the fridge and hear it up before serving? And how would you suggest heating it up?
It’s baking right now in the oven it looks and smells real good. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Absolutely. Probably the best and easiest way to heat it back up is in the microwave. I hope you loved it as much as we do! 🙂
OMG- this is what my late Gram and late Mom used to make!!!! You described it to a T !!!! I am crying happy tears because I coildn’t find the correct recipe when she wrote it down and now I have it…..they used Dark Hershey and it does EXACTLY as you described. If anyone is wondering whether to try it- YES!!!!! It’s that worth it.
No point value?
Excellent, easy to follow recipe. I made a 1/2 recipe in 4 ramekins, and it worked out great. Only change I made was to reduce the granulated sugar by a touch. Really easy and delicious recipe, perfect for your Valentine!