Description
Moist chocolate cake with a rich, gooey fudge sauce that forms as it bakes. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ½ cups boiling water
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Combine Dry Cake Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add Wet Cake Ingredients: Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Prepare Fudge Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup cocoa powder. Mix well.
- Sprinkle and Pour: Sprinkle the sugar/cocoa mixture evenly over the cake batter in the baking dish. Carefully pour the 2 ½ cups of boiling water over the sugar mixture. Do not stir!
- Add Butter: Dot the top of the boiling water with the butter pieces, distributing them evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. A toothpick inserted into the cake part should come out with moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, berries, or chocolate shavings, if desired.
Notes
- Don’t Overbake: Key to a gooey center.
- Good Cocoa: Use good quality cocoa powder. Dutch-processed is preferred.
- Boiling Water: Water must be boiling.
- No Stirring: Do not stir after adding boiling water.
- Oven Variation: Adjust baking time as needed.
- Make Ahead: Batter and sugar/cocoa mixture can be prepared ahead of time.
- Spice it Up: Add cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
- Nuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking.
- Coffee: Substitute some boiling water with strong brewed coffee.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes