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Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

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Once upon a summer morning, there was a mother who promised dessert to her three little ones. The day passed, and there was much mirth to be had by all. Dinnertime came many hours hence, and the mother realized something abominable: she had forgotten her dessert promise. Whoops!

Scouring the pantry, the mother learned she had very few ingredients on hand, and time was scarce. Suddenly, however, visions of a tried-and-true favorite prepared years and years ago by her own mother came to mind, and she knew precisely then that there would, indeed, be a sweet end to that day.

(That’s a true story, friends. And never fear: I will not quit my blogging day job to become a fiction writer any time soon. 😉

Today I am sharing a beyond-simple dessert recipe that yields amazingly rich and delicious results. For those unfamiliar with pudding cake, the concept is thus: hot water is added in the final stage before popping the pan into the oven, which somewhat magically causes the dessert to separate into two luscious layers as it cooks. Nestled beneath the top layer of chocolate-cakey goodness is a ribbon of decadent fudge-like sauce. 

My own mother, Mama Reita, made a dessert like this one countless times when I was growing up. I was one of those immeasurably blessed children who had a mom who not only cooked for us every night, but who also insisted we end our meals on a sweet note. 

Chocolate Pudding Cake
(adapted from Gourmet Magazine; found via Epicurious.com)

1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/3 cups boiling water

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Into a bowl sift together the flour, 1/3 cup of the cocoa powder, the baking powder, and the salt. In another bowl whisk together the eggs, the granulated sugar, the butter, the milk, and the vanilla. Add the flour mixture, and stir the batter until it is just combined. Spread the batter evenly in an ungreased 8-inch-square baking pan. 

In a bowl whisk together the remaining 1/3 cup cocoa powder, the brown sugar, and the water. Pour the mixture over the batter, and bake the cake in the middle of the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it.

Serve the cake warm with a healthy dollop of whipped cream.

Enjoy!

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Comments

  3. Kara says

    This was a favorite at my house when I was a girl. My little brother called them “Water Brownies”. So easy and so yummy!

  6. River Road Creations by Reita says

    I’ve been thinking about this recipe ever since we were talking about it during your visit. The photo is now making me have a serious chocolate attack! Guess I’ll have to make it for tonight. Also thanks for the kind words about your mama!
    Mama Reita

  9. Bridget@Flour N Friends says

    This looks so good, I have to make this!! I loove me some chocolate! I’m your newest follower. Your blog is adorable! I can’t wait to check the rest of it out. I’d love it if you could follow me back! Thanks for sharing