This Quick Hot Fudge Cake recipe has everything you need to know in the title, quick and hot fudge! A deliciously warm and gooey cake in a thick chocolate fudge sauce that is perfect for any occasion, especially when the weather turns cooler.

An easy recipe that is best enjoyed warm but is still delicious cold or reheated. Find the printable recipe card below!

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With warm fudge under a moist chocolate cake, this easy hot fudge cake is sure to be a favorite of any chocolate lover. The best thing about it? You can eat it for dessert or a snack. I mean, really you can eat it whenever you want, I won’t judge.

If you want to add some extra flavor, try topping it with whipped cream, marshmallow fluff, caramel sauce, whipped topping, ice cream (any flavor you liek), chocolate chips, maraschino cherries, cacao nibs, and/or chopped nuts.

Or you can keep it simple and put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Your choice!

Food Becomes Tradition

When I was a little girl, my Grandma would make this recipe. She called it Hot Fudge Pudding Cake. The rich, warm and gooey cake with it’s own sauce would give the whole kitchen a delicious smell.

I could hardly wait for it to come out of the oven, and when it would it was so difficult to be patient until it cooled enough to eat. Scooped into a bowl and topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping was the perfect way to end a meal.

Especially in cooler months where you crave those foods that warm your insides.

This unfussy recipe is a perfect cozy treat for those long winter months, or even a great compliment to an ice cream treat in the days of summer. Whenever you enjoy it, you will enjoy it!

What Do I Need to Make a Quick Hot Fudge Cake?

Supplies:

• a 9 inch square cake pan
• a large mixing bowl
• a spatula
• measuring cups and spoons
• an oven

Simple Ingredients:

• all purpose flour
• granulated sugar
• cocoa powder
• baking powder
• salt
• whole milk
• your oil of choice (avocado or vegetable oil is recommended)
• vanilla extract
• light brown sugar
• hot water
• optional: toppings: crushed nuts, whipped topping, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, ice cream, sprinkles, maraschino cherries, marshmallow fluff, chocolate chips, cacao nibs

Basic Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine together all purpose flour, granulated sugar, only 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in wet ingredients: milk, oil, and vanilla extract until a smooth batter forms.
• Spread batter using spatula into an ungreased 9 inch cake pan.
• Mix together light brown sugar and remaining cocoa powder.
• Sprinkle brown sugar and cocoa mixture over batter.
• Pour hot water over all of the mixture and batter. DO NOT STIR!
• Bake for 30-40 minutes in a 350 degree Fahrenheit preheated oven.
• Serves best warm, also good cold. Especially good with vanilla ice cream.

Is Hot Fudge Cake Served Hot or Cold?

This delicious dessert is best served warm, fresh from the oven. If you have leftovers and prefer to eat it cold, or even reheated it will still be just as delicious. Just be careful if you do reheat this cake, the sauce can become quite hot. Ask my tastebuds how I know!

Does Hot Fudge Cake Need to be Refrigerated?

If kept in a cool place, this Quick Hot Fudge Cake can be kept on your counter, as long as you keep it covered. I would refrain from using an airtight container though, because it may cause the cake to become too gooey.

However, if you live in a warm climate or have a wood stove nearby you may want to refrigerate this cake to keep the hot fudge from making the cake soggy.

What is the Difference Between Hot Fudge and Chocolate Fudge?

The main difference between hot fudge and chocolate fudge is that hot fudge is a sauce whereas chocolate fudge is more of a solid candy type dessert.

They are similar in chocolatey taste, but consumed in much different ways.

Traditionally, hot fudge is a topping for ice cream sundaes. Chocolate fudge is most commonly found on the dessert table at Christmas or in cookie exchanges.

Fudge also tends to last longer, storage wise. It can be placed in an airtight container and left on the counter for quite a while or even frozen. Unfortunately, this Hot Fudge Cake does not freeze well.

A little family history when it comes to the two. If we are talking about holiday food, Christmas was not complete in our family if Grandma didn’t make fudge.

Along with a whole host of other candies and treats. Ever heard of Potato Candy? Yup, my Grandma made that too!

But Hot Fudge Cake was an anytime treat. No holiday needed.

Final Thoughts

I love sharing favorite recipes like these with you. This hot fudge chocolate cake recipe, or hot fudge pudding cake as my Grandma called it, is such a treasured piece of culinary traditions in our family.

It’s recipes like these that keep memories of time around the table alive. Of conversations and laughter, of reminiscing and stories of the past.

These are the times you will treasure. These are the memories you will create with your own family. Around your dining table, talking about life and history and the future. Sharing each others hope and dreams and milestones. These are the moments we live for.

I hope recipes like these can become a heartwarming part of family gatherings for you too. Create your own memories. Carve out special things and traditions for your home.

These moments don’t even have to revolve around a recipe or a dessert. But some times they are even sweeter if they do.

So spend time creating special memories, maybe its a family game night or movie night. Maybe its a yearly event like traveling around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights.

Whatever you decide, it will create lifelong treasures to reflect back on.

one last thing…

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