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Dessert

Classic Homemade Hot Fudge Cake

This cozy dessert creates its own silky chocolate sauce in the oven while it bakes.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· August 7, 2026
Classic Homemade Hot Fudge Cake
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
40 minutes
Total
50 minutes
Serves
6

Hot fudge cake is one of those magic recipes that never fails to impress. As it bakes, the batter separates to create a light chocolate cake on top with a warm, gooey fudge sauce hiding right underneath. It is the perfect comfort food for a chilly evening.

I love serving this warm straight from the oven. My biggest tip is to make sure you use high quality cocoa powder, as it really makes a difference in the depth of the chocolate flavor. It is a simple treat that feels very fancy.

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 whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/4 cups boiling water

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8 inch square baking dish.

  2. 2

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of cocoa, baking powder, and salt.

  3. 3

    Stir in the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth, then spread it evenly into your prepared baking dish.

  4. 4

    In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup of cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.

  5. 5

    Carefully pour the boiling water over the entire top of the cake. Do not stir it.

  6. 6

    Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the center is set and the top looks crackly.

  7. 7

    Let the cake rest for 10 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly.

💡 Tips

Serve each portion with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to contrast the hot fudge. If you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge and warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds before eating.

#chocolate#dessert#baking#easy recipe#comfort food

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