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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cake » Old Fashioned Chocolate Pudding Cake

    Last updated: Dec 3, 2021 by Melissa Riker · 4 Comments

    Old Fashioned Chocolate Pudding Cake

    Jump to Recipe
    chocolate pudding cake with vanilla ice cream

    Fudgy chocolate pudding cake separates into two layers as it bakes, a rich chocolate cake and rich pudding sauce. If you're a chocolate lover you are going to fall in love with this old fashioned recipe!

    chocolate pudding cake with vanilla ice cream

    What is chocolate pudding cake?

    The recipe I'm sharing today is one of those you find all over the country in community cook books, under a few different names.  The most common name I've seen it given is Chocolate Pudding Cake, which is how I grew up referring to it but others call it fudge pudding cake, brownie pudding cake, chocolate cobbler or chocolate "goo" cake as well.

    Whatever you call it, it's heaven in a spoon! It's a little bit pudding and a little bit cake.

    The cake is made in three layers, first a traditional cake batter is layered in the pan followed by a dry brown sugar and cocoa powder mix. Finally you top it all with chocolate chips and pour over very hot water or brewed coffee.

    As the cake bakes it rises to the top and a gooey-chocolate pudding sauce forms at the bottom. It's delectable!It's also one of the easiest recipes you'll make and you probably have everything you need already in your kitchen!

    Want more old-fashioned desserts? Try this Dutch Apple Pie, Coconut Pie, or Chocolate Fudge Pie!

    Ingredients

    all-purpose flour
    sugar
    unsweetened cocoa powder
    baking powder
    salt
    milk
    vanilla extract
    butter
    brown sugar
    chocolate chips
    hot water OR brewed coffee

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. Spray and 8 x 8 inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
    3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour,  sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, vanilla, and melted b utter and stir to combine-the batter will be very thick. Pour into the baking dish.
    4. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and remaining 3 tablespoons cocoa powder.
    • chocolate pudding cake batter in dish
    • chocolate pudding cake before baking
    1. Sprinkle the brown sugar-cocoa mixture evenly over the batter, followed by the chocolate chips.
    2. Pour the hot water or coffee over the top, but do not stir.
    • layer of chocolate chips on top of chocolate pudding cake
    • adding water to chocolate pudding cake
    1. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and cook for 40 minutes, or until the center is just barely set.
    2. Allow the cake to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
    vintage chocolate pudding cake after baking

    It's isn't the prettiest thing when it comes out of the oven but trust me on this one-it's going to taste much better than it looks!!

    old fashioned chocolate pudding cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top

    Storage & reheating

    Store the cake covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.

    If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

    Print
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    chocolate pudding cake with vanilla ice cream

    Old Fashioned Chocolate Pudding Cake

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Melissa Riker
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 40 minutes
    • Total Time: 55 minutes
    • Yield: 16 1x
    • Category: dessert
    • Method: baking
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Fudgy chocolate pudding cake separates into two layers as it bakes, a rich chocolate cake and rich pudding sauce. If you're a chocolate lover you are going to fall in love with this old fashioned recipe!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 cup all purpose flour
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • pinch of salt
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup chocolate chips
    • 1 ½ cups very hot water OR brewed coffee

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray an 8 by 8 inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray (affiliate link).
    2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
    3. Add milk, vanilla, and melted butter and stir to combine-the batter will be very thick. Pour into the baking dish.
    4. In a separate bowl combine the brown sugar and remaining 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
    5. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cocoa mixture over the batter then top with the chocolate chips.
    6. Pour the hot coffee or water over the cake but DO NOT stir.
    7. Bake for 40 minutes or until the center is just barely set.
    8. Allow to cool 5 -10 minutes before serving (preferably with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!)

    Keywords: chocolate pudding cake

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @thehappierhomemaker — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jill says

      December 03, 2021 at 12:02 pm

      just like my grandma used to make!! thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Shelby says

      February 09, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      ...My Grandmother and my mother would make this, and I loved it . I love the " older recipes ', I remember this being made in the 60's by my Grandmother.....Very similar recipe , and it is so delicious, thank you for sharing this !!

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        February 10, 2021 at 2:19 pm

        I love the "old" recipes too Shelby! I have my grandmother's and great-grandmother's hand-written cookbooks and they are such a treasure!

        Reply
    3. Emily @ Two Purple Couches says

      October 20, 2014 at 11:02 am

      This looks incredible!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Melissa and I have a passion for helping people find effective ways to clean and organize, feed their families, and truly enjoy their homes.
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