Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
This Hot Fudge Pudding Cake is so sinfully rich! A luscious chocolate cake bakes right with a creamy, chocolatey pudding sauce. Each bite is pure chocolate heaven.
Growing up, my mom would often make Sauce n Cake for dessert. It’s a box mix where the cake bakes right into the chocolate sauce. They are yummy, but the homemade version is so much better. Chocolate lovers will be in heaven with this easy dessert recipe, especially when they discover how simple it is to prepare.
I think that’s like anything you make. Baking from scratch just has a more homemade feel to it that comes across in the taste. It’s also rewarding to know that you made a recipe entirely from scratch.
This hot fudge pudding cake recipe is easy to make and requires little effort. It has the perfect amount of sweetness. Next time you’re craving those Sauce n ‘Cake mixes, give this gooey chocolate cake recipe a try instead. SOOOOO much better! I add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to my chocolate cobbler, and it’s incredible.
I made this recipe recently and shared it with a few friends who came over for a visit. It received rave reviews, which made me very happy. I love creating recipes and have actually people eat it. Cough, picky kids.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with simple ingredients
- A family favorite fudgy dessert
- Twice as decadent as a simple chocolate cake
- Rich chocolate cake bakes in its own fudge sauce
- One of the best chocolate desserts
- Ready in under an hour
- Easy to prepare
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Melted butter
- Milk
- Sugar
- Salt
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (I like Hershey’s cocoa)
- Vanilla extract

How to Make Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
- Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Step Two: Stir together flour, ¾ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in an ungreased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Step Three: In a bowl, combine butter and ¼ cup of cocoa powder, stirring until smooth.

- Step Four: Add to the baking dish along with ½ cup milk and vanilla. Stir well with a fork.
- Step Five: In a small bowl, stir together the remaining sugar and cocoa.

- Step Six: Sprinkle over the batter evenly. Pour the 2 ½ cups of hot milk over the top. Do not stir.
- Step Seven: Bake for 40 minutes or until the sauce bubbles and the cake begins to pull away from the side. Let cool. Serve warm.

What to Serve with It
- Hot coffee or tea
- A scoop of ice cream, like my homemade vanilla ice cream
- Stabilized whipped cream
- Hot fudge sauce

Variations and Substitutions
- Use whole milk or half-and-half for extra richness.
- Use vegetable oil instead of melted butter
- If using salted butter, you can omit the salt.
- Use brown sugar instead of white sugar, or you can use a combination of the two.

Storage Instructions
Store leftover hot fudge pudding cake in an airtight container or tightly cover the pan in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating the cake in the microwave before serving to soften it and warm the rich chocolate fudge sauce.
Can I Freeze?
Yes, you can freeze hot fudge pudding cake! It’s essential to let the cake cool completely first. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also place it in a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy your delicious chocolate cake again, thaw it in the fridge overnight. You can reheat it in the microwave or warm it up in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- You don’t need to grease the pan for this recipe.
- Don’t overmix the cake batter. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the hot milk slowly and evenly over the batter.
- Don’t overbake. Watch for the cake to pull away from the sides of the pan and for the sauce to start bubbling.
- Allow the cake to cool down so you don’t burn your mouth on the fudge sauce. It’s best served warm.

FAQ
Though these two cakes are quite similar in many ways, there are a couple of key differences. Hot fudge pudding cake is a moist chocolate cake with a fudge sauce that forms beneath the cake as it bakes. It has a similar texture to a brownie.
Chocolate lava cake is a rich, gooey, and fudgy chocolate dessert. When you cut the cake open, thick fudge sauce will ooze out just like lava. The cake is usually less dense than a hot fudge pudding cake.

Chocolate Cake Recipes
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Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cup sugar divided
- 2 ½ cup hot milk
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup cocoa powder divided
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Stir together flour, ¾ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in an ungreased 9×13 casserole dish.
- In bowl, add butter and ¼ cup of cocoa powder and stir together until smooth. Add to baking dish along with ½ cup milk and vanilla. Stir well with a fork.
- In a small bowl, stir together remaining sugar and cocoa and sprinkle over the batter. Pour the 2 ½ cups hot milk over top. Do not stir.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until sauce bubbles and cake begins to pull away from the side. Let cool. Serve warm.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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