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Why do we equate chocolate with affection? And Valentines Day?
Who cares? Not me, that is for sure. I never have a struggle finding reasons to have chocolate in any case, but an actual chocolate-sanctioned holiday? I’m there. I can completely buy that chocolate means love, and if we are going to celebrate love, chocolate is the best way to do it.
The trouble is, my own object of affection isn’t very fond of chocolate in large amounts. He hid this from me until after we were married, which I think is almost grounds for divorce. “Not like chocolate? Nobody doesn’t like chocolate! That is crazy!” He likes bits of chocolate in things, like chocolate chip cookies, but really, he’d rather have something like my Bourbon Pecan Pie. Oh well – we have been married for 37 years, so I guess I can deal with it, but still…
… then there is this Chocolate Pudding Cake. It is decadently, intensely, incredibly chocolatey. Gooey and creamy and rich. In other words, wonderful. And, despite the intensity of the chocolate, for some reason, Mr. “I’m not that crazy about chocolate.” loves it. So, you know it has to be utterly irresistible, right? I think it’s the silky smooth pudding part, or maybe the rich crackly-on-top cake part. Or, dude – maybe it’s the chocolate, eh?
I found the original recipe in James Beard’s American Cookery, one of my favorite cookbooks. But – I thought the recipe could be better. Richer, with more of the pudding and a more flavorful cake. I have fooled with it quite a lot over the years, and this version is the result. It is just as easy as the original, but I think even Mr Beard would approve of mine.
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons soft butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup flour
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Topping
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup baking cocoa
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 c half and half
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º. Generously butter an 8 x 8inch baking dish [or other 2 quart baking dish].
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Beat in the egg.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup baking cocoa.
- Mix the vanilla into the buttermilk.
- Add the dry mixture and buttermilk alternately, mixing well after each addition.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In the same small as you used for the dry ingredients, blend together the 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup baking cocoa and 1/4 teaspoon salt, until the mixture is of a uniform texture.
- Sprinkle that mixture over the batter in the pan.
- Mix the water and half & half together and heat nearly to boiling.
- Pour the hot water mixture over the surface of the cake, taking not to stay in any one spot for too long - you don't want to dislodge the layers. It's ok if you end up with some dry spots on the top - baking will take care of that.
- Carefully place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, turning the dish about half way through. The top should dry and there should be bubbling all around the edges - if not, return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
- Set the dish on a cooling rack and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. I think it tastes best after about 20 minutes or so.
- Top servings with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream of maybe a dollop of Creme Fraiche.
- Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator.
And if I can’t exactly say this cake is the key to Larry’s heart, it is definitely the key to mine!
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Wow. This looks extraordinary. Superb recipe. I’ve already emailed Mrs K R the link (she’s the dessert maker; I’m just the eater!). Really like this — thanks.
Aw, thanks John – hope you guys enjoy it!
I think Mr. Beard would approve ! It’s decadent and I declare today as Valentines day for I decided to try it out right away! Thanks for sharing.
LOL – every day should be Valentine’s day, right?
Greetings from a fellow cook Downunder. This looks divine and is very similar to a pudding I make! Happy cooking xo
Hi Lizzy – thanks for stopping by!
That is funny, Donalyn. My husband says that he doesn’t care about eating choclate either, until you put some in front of him. I think I just found our Valentines dessert!
Hope you guys love it Sallie!
This looks sooo yummy and easy! Great recipe 🙂
Thanks Kristy – hope you give it a try sometime!
How can any one not fall for something described as decadently, intensely, incredibly chocolatey?!?! From what I’m see, you are spot on! YUM!
Thanks MJ – I never exaggerate when it comes to chocolate 🙂
Now wouldn’t this be perfect to share with Ryan on Saturday night? We’re cooking a special dinner together and this might just have to be our dessert! Thank you for sharing!
Hope the meal is very special Monet!
Oh my. Sigh. It’s just after lunch here in Pondy, and I’m supposed to be back at work, and this is so not helping–I’d much rather be following my cravings straight into a little ramekin of this chocolatey decadence!
Sorry to be such a distraction Deepa 😀
Well, it’s obvious you kissed more than talked before you got married. How could you not know about chocolate before the ‘I do’s were said and done? A classic example of don’t ask, don’t tell. 🙂
I will happily eat the beloved’s share of this – anytime. Think of it as my kindness gift. LOL
It actually works out pretty well for me Maureen – who wants to share their chocolate anyway?
I am a notorious chocolate lover how can I not like a dessert like this? It is decadent and delicious!
Thanks Katerina!
Oh man – this is such a fabulous cake! So chocolaty and so delicious looking. I know it would be a huge hit here and I’m a sucker for chocolate.
Thanks Amy – hope you give it a try!
I love that this is a pudding AND a cake, it looks delicious.
Thank you Caroline 🙂
I’ve made this for years, Donalyn and still love it just as much as the first time. They say homespun desserts are back in style but I don’t think this one ever went out!
I agree Abbe – it certainly never went out of style around here!
I came from Pinterest for the cornbread and stayed for the cake – looks like another one I have to try!
Thanks Margie – always glad to meet new visitors!
oh yummy, im drooling just at the picture, i so cannot wait to try this!!!
Thanks for your kind words, Brenda 🙂
Looks so-o good, Donalyn. Another way to use up the extra buttermilk leftover from making cornbread!
I try to never run out of buttermilk, Kathleen – very handy stuff.
You mean to tell me James Beard’s American Cookery is sitting on my shelf and I missed this recipe? Shame on me! Thank you for coming to the rescue, Donalyn. Your Chocolate Pudding Cake looks indescribably dee..li…cious!!! My husband wasn’t keen on chocolate either. As you say and as I have said, all the more for me!!! Thank you so much for sharing…I sure wish I could dig in right now!!!
Hope that you do get the chance to give it a try Louise. There are quite a few recipes in that cookbook that I have used over the years.
You can’t go wrong with an ooey-gooey chocolate cake for Valentine’s Day — or most any day for that matter. LOL
I agree Carolyn – always more room for chocolate!
I know, I love to eat chocolate all year around, but when Valentine’s Day comes, I feel like my dosage for chocolate becomes double. 😀 You know what, I’ve never had chocolate pudding cake before. I hear you’re saying “what?!?!” but it’s true… I just looked at your recipe and it’s very easy to follow. I have to grab buttermilk and try this! Looks so delicious!!
I hope you do, Nami – I think you will be very happy with the chocolate in this 🙂