Deep Dark Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

As indulgent as the name implies this deep dark hot fudge pudding cake offers your senses an incredible culinary journey. One filled with escalating levels of pure enjoyment. Gooey and oozing with molten hot fudge, I felt incredibly blessed to be an active participant of this scrumptious dessert that could quite easily be my all time favorite. The combination of pudding and cake and the key ingredient CHOCOLATE has every innocent victim on their knees astounded by its continuous deliciousness. Any lover of chocolate will not be averse to this dessert and my family embraced it whole heartedly. Therefore do not ponder over it, instead let your culinary senses do the talking and get cooking on this fabulous dessert for all.

Ingredients

·    1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
·    1 cup all-purpose flour
·    7 tablespoons cocoa powder
·    2 teaspoons baking powder
·    1/4 teaspoon salt
·    3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (a slab broken will do)
·    1/2 cup milk
·    1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
·    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
·    1/2 cup light brown sugar
·    1 1/4 cups hot water
·    3 teaspoons instant espresso powder (optional, but highly recommended)

Directions 

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 and 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 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.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe