Description
Old-Fashioned Hot Fudge Sundae Cake is pure, old-school dessert magic. This isn’t just any chocolate cake. When it bakes, it creates its own gooey, fudgy sauce underneath a layer of soft, moist cake. Think of it as a chocolate lover’s dream come true, a self-saucing wonder that is rich, decadent, and outrageously easy to make. No frosting needed. No fancy ingredients. Just basic pantry staples coming together to create a show-stopping, spoonable dessert that tastes like the best parts of a hot fudge sundae, all baked into one warm, comforting dish.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for topping)
1 1/4 cups hot water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. No need to break out the mixer—this comes together with just a whisk and a spoon.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until a smooth batter forms. It will be thick, but that’s exactly what you want. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
In a separate small bowl, mix the brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder together. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the batter. It will look like way too much, but trust the process.
Carefully pour the hot water over everything. Do not stir. It’s going to look strange and messy, but magic is about to happen in the oven.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cake looks set on top but is still bubbling with fudgy sauce underneath. A toothpick inserted into the cake part should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Then grab a big spoon and serve it up warm, making sure to scoop down to get both cake and fudge sauce in every serving. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the full sundae experience.
Notes
This cake was made for pairing with cold, creamy vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm, molten chocolate and cool, smooth ice cream is pure bliss. You can also drizzle a little extra hot fudge or sprinkle some chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, or a cherry on top if you want to go all-in on the sundae vibes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 calories Per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~55g
- Protein: ~4g per serving