Ingredients
For the Cake Batter:
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Fudge Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) boiling water
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a smooth batter forms. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Prepare the Fudge Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter. Slowly pour the boiling water over the top. Do not stir—it will look strange at this stage, but as it bakes, the cake will rise and the sauce will settle underneath.
Step 4: Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is set and firm but the bottom remains gooey. The cake should be soft, and a toothpick inserted into the cake layer should come out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 5: Serve
Remove from the oven and let the cake rest for about 5-10 minutes. Spoon the warm cake onto serving plates, making sure to scoop up some of the fudgy sauce from the bottom. Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.