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Delicious slice of VERY BEST HOT FUDGE SUNDAE CAKE topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

A warm, fudgy dessert that combines a soft chocolate layer with a gooey fudge sauce, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings quickly.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 9 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Base
  • 1 cup All purpose flour Gives the cake its soft structure.
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar For the cake batter.
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder Chocolate flavor without being too sweet.
  • 2 teaspoons Baking powder For leavening.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Milk Whole milk is great, but any milk works.
  • 1/4 cup Melted butter Or neutral oil if you are out of butter.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Topping
  • 1 cup Brown sugar This is for the topping layer that turns saucy.
  • 2 tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder For sprinkling on top of the batter.
  • 1 cup Hot water Must be hot, not warm.
Optional Add-ins
  • 1/2 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans Optional, for added texture.
  • 1/2 cup Mini chocolate chips Optional, can be sprinkled on top.
  • 1 teaspoon Espresso powder Optional, enhances chocolate flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square pan or a similar-sized baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla until it looks like a smooth, thick chocolate batter.
  4. Spread the batter evenly in the pan.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cocoa for the topping, then sprinkle it evenly over the batter.
  6. Pour hot water gently over the top. Do not stir; just pour slowly to avoid creating craters.
Baking
  1. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes, until the top looks set and cakey with sauce bubbling around the edges.
  2. Let it sit for 10 minutes before scooping, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.

Notes

For best results, use hot water that is just off the boil and let the cake rest before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, chopped toasted nuts, maraschino cherries, or a pinch of flaky salt for extra flavor.