Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 c flour
• 3/4 c sugar
• 2 T baking cocoa
• 2 t baking powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/2 c milk
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 c packed brown sugar
• 1/4 c baking cocoa (4 T)
• 1-3/4 c very hot water
• Ice Cream

Instructions: Mix together flour, sugar, 2 T cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Add in milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Spread in bottom of greased 9x9 pan. Sprinkle brown sugar and 4 T cocoa over the top of batter. Pour the hot water over the batter. Do not stir.

Bake: 350 degrees F for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream.

Notes: Invest in good baking cocoa; don't skimp. Look for a cocoa that has a high percentage of cocoa, around 60-70%. Rule of thumb: the darker the cocoa, the more real cocoa is in it.

This is a type of pudding cake. While it bakes, the batter becomes like a brownie and floats to the top while the hot water, brown sugar and cocoa form a rich hot fudge sauce underneath. When serving, be sure to scoop down deep enough to get the hot fudge. That is what is so great about this recipe; it is two desserts in one.

Although fabulous with ice cream, it is also great with milk poured in the bottom of a cup. It cuts the richness and add to the creaminess without adding calories or as many carbs. Plus at the end, you will be left with a bit of rich chocolate milk.

This is a great dessert to throw together when unexpected guests arrive. It only takes 40 minutes to bake, uses only one bowl, and your basic pantry has everything you need. Plus if you tell them how you made it, they will hardly believe it.

Great also to make with kids. They love seeing how watery and weird it looks going in to the oven and how different and fabulous it looks coming out.