Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding is a classic dessert that everyone should know! One batter magically transforms into a moist chocolate cake with a beautiful chocolate sauce. Quick enough for a midweek treat, and a crowd pleaser for dinner parties.
Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding
I started the week off with Cottage Pie, wedged in a Stovetop Mac and Cheese on Wednesday and am finishing off the week with this Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding.
It seems that this week was Comfort Food Week here on RecipeTin Eats and I missed the memo. My own memo.😂
When I was younger, I was so fascinated with self saucing puddings. I always thought they were magical. One batter transforming into a cake that looks so innocent when it comes out of the oven, then when you break into it – boom! Eyes light up at the sight of all that chocolate sauce!!!
I should qualify that statement actually, it’s a little more than one batter. But not much more! All it takes is sprinkling sugar + cocoa on top of the batter and pouring over hot water. This mixture then sinks to the base of the dish as it bakes, passing through the cake making it sooooo moist (I love this thought!), and it reduces down to become a sauce.
You see in the photo above how I am pouring the hot water over the back of a spoon? The purpose of this is to soften the fall of water onto the sugar topping, to try to keep the surface as even as possible so the surface of the pudding is as even as possible when it comes out of the oven.
I’m not an expert at this part. Also, my recipe uses a slightly higher water to sugar ratio than most classic recipes because I like to have a sauce that is actually a bit like sauce, rather than a thick sludge. Mind you, sludge still tastes fabulous! It’s just a matter of preference.
So because I use slightly more water, the top of my pudding is not as perfectly smooth. Less water = smoother surface = less sauce. 🙂
See? Here’s my sauce. It’s pourable. But thick, not watery. You can actually scrape some off the bottom of the baking dish and pour it over.
I’ve never been embarrassed by the nubbly top of my puddings but if I was, I’d just dust it with icing sugar.
The pudding really is cake-like so you could in fact slice it and serve it like cake, then use a spoon to drizzle each slice with the chocolate sauce.
But tradition is to use a spoon to serve Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding. Scoop out big dollops of it so you get cake and sauce in each spoonful. It doesn’t look as neat as slicing, but that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding is just made with cocoa powder, no chocolate. I’m sure there are richer versions around with the addition of chocolate chips. But the traditional way is so darn good, I have no urge to stray!
I like to serve pudding with ice cream or cream, and usually some fresh strawberries or other fruit, just to break it up and add a pop of colour.
Easy enough for midweek. And a crowd pleaser for company. I am totally and utterly in love with Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding! – Nagi x
More cosy warm desserts for cold winter nights!
Apple Crumble – personal favourite!
Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Recipe video! And don’t worry, though you’ll see Dozer plodding over for a taste test, he didn’t get any. No chocolate for dogs!
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Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding
Ingredients
Topping
- 1 cup (175g) brown sugar , loosely packed (Note 1)
- 1/4 cup (30g) cocoa powder , unsweetened (Note 2)
- 1 1/4 cups (315ml) boiling water
Batter
- 1 cup (150g) plain flour (all purpose flour)
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup (70g) white sugar , preferably caster/super fine but ordinary ok
- 1/4 cup (30g) cocoa powder , unsweetened (Note 2)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup (125ml) milk
- 50 g / 4 1/2 tbsp butter , melted
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170C/335F (standard) / 150C/305F (fan forced / convection).
- Grease a 5 – 6 cup baking dish with butter. (Note 3)
- Topping: Whisk brown sugar and cocoa in a bowl, set aside.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, caster sugar, cocoa powder and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl or jug, whisk together the butter and milk, then whisk in the egg and vanilla.
- Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture. Mix until combined – it will be a thick batter.
- Spread into baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar / cocoa mixture. Shake gently to spread out thinly.
- Carefully pour the hot water over the back of a dessert spoon all over the top of the pudding – see photo in post or video below recipe. (Note 4)
- Transfer to oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top of the cake springs back when poked lightly. The top will be a bit crusty, like the top of brownies.
- Remove from oven, stand for just a few minutes (no more!), then serve immediately. (Note 5)
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
He hates floor-mopping day even more than I do because I make him wear socks while I enjoy the feeling of clean floors for a few hours….
This recipe looks incredible!
I really just cannot with Dozer in socks. Sooooo cute I squeeeed out loud at work – oops!
And I just burst out loud at the thought of you squealing out loud at work!!!
Wow sooooo yummy !!!!
Thaaaaanks!!!
This is truely an indulgent, luxurious saucy pudding.
Dozer and socks. His expression says it all.
I know – ba ha ha!!!
An old favorite that I had forgotten about. Thank you, Nagi.
My pleasure! 🙂
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this! It’s like a dream come true. I’m going to have to try it.
I hope you do! I think it’s also known as Fudge Cake?? Am sure I saw a similar recipe somewhere on Pinterest 🙂
Hello Hagi,
Good wholesome food is exactly why I subscribed to your mailing list and this one ticks all the boxes.
It is raining for the first time in months here, and the weekend will be relatively cool….. a perfect time for something warm and filling. When i saw the recipe I was reminded that I used to make something similar. I have been looking for the recipe but can’t find it! It was therefore good to see yours and I will make sure I save it where I can find it again. I actually use a database application, perhaps I lost mine in the migration…….
Although I am a great custard fan I think I will be having cream with this. A thick chilled unsweetened cream will probably balance the warmth and sweetness of the pudding.
Thanks again and keep them coming.
YES it will! Perfect for it! So glad you are enjoying my recipes, thank you for reading Lincoln 🙂
Much prefer our (UK) name for this – chocolate puddle pudding! Still scrummy though.
WHHHAAATTT??? That’s what you call it? Ba ha ha!!
Well, I’m certainly comforted just reading about the pudding cake and the dishes you’ve written about. Tummy is happy with your recipes but my hips and thighs are groaning. I’m going to have to buy more expandable bottoms if you keep feeding us more comfort food. I’m going to send you my scale — you can keep it. Dozer is adorable — socks or no socks. Does he have holiday booties? Have a great weekend xoxo
Marisa, what are you doing?? You’re giving me more crazy Dozer-dress up ideas! Off to google for doggie booties…. 🙂
Hi Nagi! You have definitely been in comfort food mode this week and I’m loving it! I made a version of this years ago and remember how ridiculously good it was! As soon as Gary finishes off the peach cobbler this will be making an appearance, although I know it won’t be around long! 🙂
You mean he needs more dessert?? ?
NAGI!!! WHAT are you trying to do to me?
I don’t need any more easy scrumptious gooey chocolate recipes to tempt me with!
Now I’m going to have to make this, you rotter… 🙂
You’re eating for TWO. You need the fuel!
Dozer in socks LOL – He is absolutely unimpressed but oh so cute nevertheless! Dozer can be trained to dry your timber floor with the socks on him – wouldn’t that be fantastic ! I am so lucky to get to try your self saucing chocolate pud … It is oh so naughty and I have to refrain myself from having more than a spoonful of it per day. My family absolutely enjoyed the choc pudding for dessert this week. so gooey …. saucy and chocolaty YUM! Thanks Nagi! axx