Name: Chocolate Pudding Cake with Gooey Chocolate Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup milk; 2 tbsp melted butter; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1½ cups hot water

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If you love the idea of a dessert that blends the best of cake and pudding into one comforting bite, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Chocolate Pudding Cake with Gooey Chocolate Sauce Recipe. It’s that soul-satisfying treat with a tender, lightly crumbed cake layer on top and a magic, warm, gooey chocolate sauce that forms underneath as it bakes. Imagine the cozy richness of chocolate pudding meeting the fluffy goodness of cake in every spoonful. This recipe is a timeless classic that feels like a hug on a plate and makes an instant dessert superstar for family dinners or special occasions alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows five white bowls placed on a white marbled surface. The biggest bowl at the bottom right contains a layer of small brown chocolate pieces filling it completely. To the left of it is a medium white bowl with two sticks of butter arranged side by side. Above the butter bowl, there is a small bowl filled with white powder, likely flour. To the right of that, another small bowl contains a fine white powder, likely sugar. Finally, to the left of the sugar bowl, there is a bowl with five white eggs placed with some space in between. The bowls are all simple and round, giving a neat and organized look to the ingredients. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Don’t let the simplicity fool you—each ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the fluffy cake base to the luscious chocolate sauce, these pantry staples come together to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll gather before diving in.

1 cup all-purpose flour: Acts as the foundation for the soft cake layer, giving it structure without heaviness.
¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds the perfect balanced sweetness to both cake and sauce.
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder: Provides deep chocolate flavor and rich color to the cake batter.
2 tsp baking powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully, keeping it light and airy.
¼ tsp salt: Enhances all the chocolate notes and balances the sweetness.
½ cup milk: Moistens the cake, creating a tender crumb and helps bind ingredients.
2 tbsp melted butter: Gives richness and a silky mouthfeel that makes this cake utterly irresistible.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the chocolate’s intensity perfectly.
½ cup brown sugar: A key player in the pudding topping, it melts into a luscious, caramel-like sauce.
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Combined with brown sugar, it forms that irresistible gooey chocolate sauce beneath the cake.
1½ cups hot water: Poured carefully on top, it activates the magic of the sauce as the cake bakes.

How to Make Chocolate Pudding Cake with Gooey Chocolate Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. This small step ensures your cake will lift out effortlessly once baked and that all those luscious layers don’t stick to the pan.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first guarantees an even distribution of flavors and leavening throughout your cake. Then, stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until you have a smooth batter, free from lumps and ready to shine.

Step 3: Spread the Batter

Pour and spread the chocolate batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Make sure it’s level so that your cake bakes uniformly, creating that evenly-soft top layer that we all adore.

Step 4: Prepare the Pudding Topping

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar and cocoa powder. This mix will become the magic chocolate sauce after baking. Sprinkle it evenly over the surface of the cake batter—resist the urge to stir! This layer must remain undisturbed for the sauce to form correctly underneath.

Step 5: Add Hot Water and Bake

Carefully pour the hot water right over the top of the cake and sugar mixture—this is where the transformation begins. Do not stir after adding water; the batter will stay on top and bake into cake while the sugar and cocoa below dissolve into a rich, pudding-like sauce. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is set but still tender.

Step 6: Cooling and Serving

When your cake is out of the oven, let it cool for about 10 minutes. This resting time allows the layers to settle and intensifies the gooey chocolate sauce below. Serve it warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that classic, dreamy combination.

How to Serve Chocolate Pudding Cake with Gooey Chocolate Sauce Recipe

A white bowl holds a warm chocolate dessert with a rich, dark brown, soft and moist texture, layered thickly at the bottom and sides. On top, there is a smooth scoop of creamy white vanilla ice cream with a few small soft folds, sprinkled generously with thin, dark brown chocolate shavings. The bowl sits on a matching white plate, next to a shiny gold spoon on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Simple garnishes can elevate this dessert even further. Try fresh berries to add a bright contrast, a sprinkle of powdered sugar for elegance, or a few dollops of whipped cream. Even chopped nuts like toasted pecans or walnuts add a wonderful textural crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft pudding and cake.

Side Dishes

This cake shines on its own but if you want to offer something on the side, consider a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream for creamy richness. Fresh fruit salad or a tart raspberry coulis also complement the deep chocolate flavors with fresh acidity, cutting through the sweetness for a perfectly balanced experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving this dessert straight from the baking dish is cozy and rustic, perfect for family-style dinners. For a more polished look, scoop portions onto plates and drizzle with extra chocolate sauce or a caramel drizzle. For special occasions, try serving individual portions in ramekins with a garnish of edible flowers or a sprig of mint for visual pop and added freshness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, cover the dish tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The gooey sauce will thicken as it chills, so reheating properly is key to reviving that magical pudding texture.

Freezing

You can freeze portions of this cake by wrapping them well in plastic wrap followed by foil or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to retain the cake’s moist texture.

Reheating

To best enjoy the warm, gooey chocolate sauce, reheat individual slices gently in the microwave or warm in a low oven until heated through. Adding a splash of milk before warming can help restore the sauce’s silky consistency if it has thickened in the fridge.

FAQs

Can I use dark chocolate or chocolate chips instead of cocoa powder?

Absolutely! Adding dark chocolate or chocolate chips to the batter enhances the richness. Cocoa powder provides a deep chocolate flavor and its dry texture is key for the pudding sauce dynamics, so you might want to keep some cocoa powder in the recipe while adding chips for extra gooey bursts.

Is this recipe gluten-free or can it be made gluten-free?

This particular Chocolate Pudding Cake with Gooey Chocolate Sauce Recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup to make it gluten-free without drastically changing the texture.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! You can swap the milk with any plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk, and substitute the butter for a dairy-free alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil. The end result will still be deliciously gooey and comforting.

How do I know when the cake is done?

The top of the cake should be set and spring back slightly when touched. A toothpick inserted into the cake layer should come out with just a few moist crumbs, but the bottom will be liquid pudding, which is exactly what makes this dessert so special.

Can I add extra flavors to the cake batter?

Definitely! You might try adding a pinch of instant espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor, a hint of cinnamon or chili powder for a subtle kick, or some orange zest for a refreshing twist that brightens the richness.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert recipe that feels like a warm embrace and delivers big smiles with every bite, this Chocolate Pudding Cake with Gooey Chocolate Sauce Recipe is your new best friend. Its simple ingredients and straightforward steps come together to create magic in your oven—gooey, chocolatey, and utterly unforgettable. I encourage you to give it a try and watch it become a beloved staple on your dessert table as it has on mine.