Need a great chocolate dessert that will “WOW” your guests AND only requires 10 minutes of actual work? Have I got the perfect cake for you! This Hot Fudge Brownie Cake makes two layers. One cakey brownie-like layer, and one hot fudge – right in the same pan. CRAZY!
Hot Fudge Brownie Cake
This Super Chocolate Hot Fudge Brownie Cake is the definition of “chocolate lover’s dream.” It’s soft and cakey on top with a thick, rich fudge sauce bubbling underneath. No mixers, no fancy tools, just one pan and a solid craving for chocolate. It comes out of the oven looking like a standard cake, but once you scoop into it, you hit molten gold. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ve got a dessert that checks every box. It’s easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for casual nights or showing off a little at the end of a dinner party.
This one’s great for feeding a small group, but don’t count on leftovers. The built-in sauce layer makes it feel a little extra without any real extra work. It all happens in the oven, and it’s kind of like magic.
You don’t need to be a baker to pull this off. The batter stirs together fast, and the topping creates its own hot fudge layer while it bakes. No frostings, no fillings, no extra steps.
Anyone who loves brownies or warm chocolate cake is going to be obsessed. It’s the kind of dessert that gets talked about later, especially if there’s vanilla ice cream on top.
Why You’ll Love This Dish#
- Self-Saucing Magic – The fudge forms as it bakes, no stirring needed.
- Rich Chocolate Flavor – Cocoa, brown sugar, and boiling water make a deep sauce.
- Simple Ingredients – Nothing fancy, just pantry basics.
- Quick Prep – 10 minutes of hands-on time.
- Perfect With Ice Cream – That hot-cold contrast seals the deal.
Try my Quadruple Chocolate Cake!
Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure and keeps the cake tender.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – You’ll use this twice for double the chocolate flavor. Adds depth and color.
- Baking Powder – Helps lift the cake as it bakes.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and sharpens the cocoa flavor.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the base batter and helps with browning.
- Milk (Room Temp) – Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
- Vegetable Oil – Keeps the cake soft. You can sub with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – Rounds out the chocolate and adds warmth.
- Dark Brown Sugar – Adds moisture and molasses flavor to the sauce.
- Boiling Water – Activates the cocoa and turns the sugar into a hot fudge sauce.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Optional, but highly recommended.
Have some Caramel Filled Brownies!
How To Make This Recipe
This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Preheat & Prep – Set oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 pan.
- Mix Batter – Combine dry and wet ingredients, stir until smooth, and pour into the pan.
- Add Topping – Mix brown sugar and cocoa, sprinkle over batter.
- Add Boiling Water – Carefully pour over topping layer—don’t stir.
- Bake & Serve – Bake 45 minutes, let cool slightly, and serve warm with ice cream.
Tips For Success
One trick for this is to use a spoon to gently pour the boiling water over the top layer. The trick is to keep the water as the very top layer and not let it break through to the bottom. If you drizzle the water into a spoon and then let it run off the spoon onto the top layer, its super easy. I didn't even use a mixer to make this cake. It's that simple, and fast. The bake time does take awhile, but because the prep is such a flash you can have this cake on your table in under an hour.
More Easy Chocolate Desserts
I love easy chocolate desserts, and if you guys are here than I bet you all do too!
- Chocolate Sour Cream Coffee Cake
- Chewy Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- Ovaltine Chocolate Cake and Frosting
- Homemade Hostess Cupcakes
Chocolate Hot Fudge Brownie Cake
This cake is kind of like the best of ALL of the worlds. Part brownie, part cake, all the hot fudge, and everything a chocolate-lover could possibly want!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Combine the flour, 2 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder, salt, and sugar together in a bowl with a whisk until well combined. Combine the milk, oil, and vanilla in a measuring cup. Pour into the flour mixture and stir until no lumps remain.
- Spray an 8x8 pan with baking spray, and pour the batter into the pan.
- Combine the brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Mix it together well, and sprinkle over the top of the batter.
- Slowly drizzle the boiling water over the top of the dry mix on the cake. Pour carefully, and make sure that the water doesn't pour through to the batter.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top layer is cakey. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve warm with ice cream on top.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 326Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 214mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 1gSugar: 46gProtein: 3g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
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Saturday 20th of February 2016
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