Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Recipe from my MIL

Valentine's Day is all about chocolate.  This cake is similar to a molten lava cake, but instead of making individual dishes it all comes out in one pan (much easier to make!).  The hot fudge is rich and delicious.  This is a recipe Tim grew up with and is simply ideal for Valentine's Day.  He attempted to make it for me for the first Valentine's Day that we were married, but added 4 tsp of salt rather than the 1/4 tsp of salt, which was obviously disastrous.  We ended up making regular brownies from a mix that year.  So this year I decided to take over making this chocolatey goodness.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup sugar, divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 7 Tbs. cocoa, divided
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup milk
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 ¼ cup hot water

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  In medium bowl combine ¾ cup sugar, flour, 3 Tbs cocoa, baking powder, and salt.  Blend in milk, melted butter and vanilla; beat until smooth.  Pour batter into square pan- 8x8” or 9x9”. 
• In small bowl combine remaining ¾ cup sugar, brown sugar and remaining 4 Tbs. cocoa; sprinkle mixture evenly over batter. Pour hot water over top; do not stir.
• Bake 40 minutes or until center is almost set.  Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
• Spoon into dessert dishes and top with ice cream. 

Serves:  8-10