Name: Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup whole milk; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips; ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for topping); 1 ¼ cups hot water

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If you’re searching for the ultimate decadent comfort dessert, look no further than the Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe. This dreamy bake is what happens when gooey chocolate pudding collides with a fudgy chocolate cake to create a melty, self-saucing masterpiece that practically begs to be eaten with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s quick to whip up, requiring only pantry staples, and delivers awe-inspiring results that make it perfect for dinner parties, celebrations, or quiet nights in.

Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is how effortlessly a few familiar pantry ingredients transform into something so spectacular. Each staple brings magic: structure, sweetness, molten richness, or that luscious chocolate intensity. Here’s what you need and why you need it:

All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cake, providing structure and just enough density for that classic gooey base.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps caramelize the top for a slightly crisp finish.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers deep, unmistakable chocolate flavor to both the cake and molten pudding layer.
Baking powder: Provides gentle lift, giving your cake layers a tender crumb without overshadowing the fudge factor.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the richness of the chocolate.
Whole milk: Adds moisture and helps create a silky batter for maximum gooeyness.
Unsalted butter (melted): Contributes richness and a slightly nutty flavor when baked.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate’s complexity with warm, fragrant undertones.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Pockets of melted chocolate for extra decadence in every bite.
Brown sugar: Used in the topping for a fudgy sauce layer that tastes like molten chocolate caramel.
Unsweetened cocoa powder (for topping): Doubles up on chocolate depth as it melds with the hot water to form the pudding layer.
Hot water: Magically transforms the cocoa and sugar into a flowing pudding sauce as the cake bakes.

How to Make Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. This ensures your Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe will release cleanly and those self-made fudgy rivers won’t stick to the pan.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This not only evenly disperses the leavening agents and cocoa but gives you a consistent batter, ensuring every bite is rich and tender.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Pour in the whole milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until a thick, cohesive batter forms; try not to overmix so your cake stays fluffy, not dense. This is the base layer where all those deep chocolate flavors start to bloom.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips. They’ll melt into gooey puddles that make the Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe absolutely irresistible. Be sure to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.

Step 5: Layer Batter and Topping

Scrape your batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out with a spatula. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar with the remaining ¼ cup of cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter—don’t press it down; it’ll magically convert into silky pudding in the oven!

Step 6: Add Hot Water (the Secret Sauce!)

The most magical step: slowly pour 1 ¼ cups of hot water over the surface. Don’t stir or stress; it may look strange, but this is the trick that creates the self-saucing layer unique to the Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is firm but the bottom remains gloriously gooey and molten. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes; this resting period lets the pudding setup enough for those luscious chocolate rivers to form underneath the tender cake layer.

How to Serve Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

Garnishes

This is the time to get playful: a big scoop of vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, creating the craveable hot-and-cold combination. A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa powder, or a few fresh berries all beautifully accentuate the rich chocolate flavors in this Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe.

Side Dishes

While this star dessert is perfect on its own, it shines alongside lighter accompaniments: a simple fruit salad or tangy citrus segments can provide a fresh contrast. If you want an ultra-luxurious experience, serve with espresso or coffee—this rounds out the deep chocolate notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Scoop the warm cake and pudding into individual bowls or elegant coupes for a more formal dessert. If celebrating, drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce, or top with a sprinkle of toasted nuts. For a playful twist, serve the Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe family-style in its baking pan, letting everyone scoop out their own gooey portions at the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any (and that’s a big if), cover the cooled cake with plastic wrap or lid and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The pudding thickens but remains lusciously soft, and the flavors deepen with time. Just know—sneaking cold spoonfuls from the fridge is basically irresistible.

Freezing

Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe freezes surprisingly well. Portion it into airtight containers and freeze for up to 2 months. The pudding layer may thicken a bit during freezing but becomes wonderfully molten again when gently reheated.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked magic, warm individual servings in the microwave for about 30 seconds until the cake is heated through and the pudding layer is glossy. If you’re reheating a large portion, loosely cover with foil and bake at 325°F for 10–15 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Dessert

Absolutely! Try dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. Chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, or a swirl of peanut butter make fun additions to customize your Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe.

What if I don’t have whole milk?

Any dairy milk works great, or even non-dairy alternatives like almond, oat, or soy milk. Just keep the fat content in mind, as creamier options produce a richer pudding sauce.

Why do I pour hot water on top without stirring?

This quirky step is the key to the self-saucing magic! The hot water reacts with the cocoa and sugars, sinking down as it bakes to form a silky pudding layer beneath the cakey top—no stirring needed.

Can I double the Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe?

Of course! Just use a 9×13-inch pan and increase bake time slightly. Watch the cake after 40 minutes and test for doneness—the top should be springy but underneath deliciously gooey.

How do I know when it’s perfectly baked?

The top should look set and a bit crisp, but when you dig in, you’ll discover a luscious, thick chocolate pudding underneath. If the surface still looks wet, give it another few minutes; if it’s dry throughout, it’s a touch overcooked, but still delicious!

Final Thoughts

With its outrageous chocolate flavor and magic self-saucing powers, the Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe really is the dessert of dreams. If you’re craving comfort, triumph, or have friends coming over for a treat, I highly encourage you to give this a try—one bite and you’ll understand why it’s a beloved favorite!

Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream with this Ridiculous Chocolate Pudding Cake. A decadent cake that magically creates its own gooey pudding sauce as it bakes, making every bite a rich and moist delight.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

½ cup whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for topping)
1 ¼ cups hot water

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to form a thick batter. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Prepare Batter: Spread the batter evenly in the baking dish.
Make Topping: Mix brown sugar and cocoa powder, then sprinkle over the batter.
Add Hot Water: Slowly pour hot water over the top without stirring.
Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is set but the bottom is gooey.
Cool and Serve: Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

This cake forms a luscious pudding sauce underneath while baking.
For an extra decadent touch, use dark chocolate chips or a shot of espresso in the batter.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American