Easy Chocolate self-saucing pudding recipe to try

If you’re craving something warm, rich, and irresistibly gooey, then this Chocolate self-saucing pudding recipe is your new best friend. It’s an effortless dessert that magically creates a luscious chocolate sauce beneath a light, fluffy pudding layer as it bakes. Perfect for those moments when you want an indulgent treat but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Let’s dive into why this classic dessert should be your go-to for every chocolate craving!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and fuss-free: You can have this pudding ready in less than an hour from start to finish, making it perfect for last-minute dessert plans.
  • Minimal ingredients required: With a handful of simple pantry staples, you’ll create a divine, comforting dessert without any complicated preparations.
  • Gooey, indulgent texture: The chocolate sauce that forms underneath is rich and velvety, providing a perfect balance to the light cake topping.
  • Perfect anytime dessert: Whether it’s a cozy weeknight treat or a crowd-pleasing finale to a dinner party, this pudding fits every occasion.
  • Customizable flavors: It’s a versatile base you can easily tweak to match your mood or dietary needs without losing its charm.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Chocolate self-saucing pudding relies on simple, everyday ingredients that bring out classic flavors and an indulgent texture that’s hard to resist. Each ingredient plays a key role in the balance between the cakey top and gooey sauce below.

  • All-purpose flour: The base that creates the fluffy pudding texture you’ll love.
  • Caster sugar: Adds just the right level of sweetness to complement the chocolate’s bitterness.
  • Baking powder: Helps the pudding rise and stay light and airy as it bakes.
  • Cocoa powder: Delivers that deep, rich chocolate flavor, essential for any chocolate pudding.
  • Milk: Keeps the pudding moist and tender while blending all dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Melted butter: Adds richness and softness to the cake-like topping and carries flavors beautifully.
  • Brown sugar: Sprinkled on top, it melts during baking to form that signature, syrupy self-sauce.
  • Hot water: Poured over the batter, it unlocks the magic behind the luscious chocolate sauce forming beneath.
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, rounding out the chocolate taste with a hint of warmth.

Variations for Chocolate self-saucing pudding

The beauty of this chocolate self-saucing pudding recipe is how adaptable it is. Feel free to experiment with flavors, dietary tweaks, or additional ingredients that suit your taste and pantry.

  • Vegan version: Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk and use coconut oil instead of butter for a plant-based delight.
  • Nutty twist: Add chopped hazelnuts or walnuts into the batter to introduce crunch and warmth.
  • Spiced chocolate: Incorporate cinnamon or a pinch of chili powder for a delicious spicy kick.
  • Berry boost: Stir fresh or frozen raspberries into the batter for tangy pops that contrast the rich chocolate.
  • Extra gooey: Top with dollops of peanut butter or caramel before baking to take indulgence to a whole new level.

How to Make Chocolate self-saucing pudding

Step 1: Prepare your baking dish

Grease an 8-inch square baking dish (or similar size) generously with butter to ensure your pudding doesn’t stick and gets that perfect golden edge.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, caster sugar, baking powder, and cocoa powder. This creates an even distribution for the chocolate flavor and ensures your pudding rises beautifully.

Step 3: Combine wet ingredients

In another bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until smooth and lump-free. The batter should be thick but pourable.

Step 4: Spread batter and add toppings

Pour the batter into your prepared dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar over the top; this sugar will create the rich sauce underneath as the pudding bakes.

Step 5: Add the hot water

Carefully pour hot water over the entire pudding. Don’t mix it in—this water forms the luscious sauce layer beneath the batter while baking.

Step 6: Bake to perfection

Place the dish into a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for about 30-35 minutes. The pudding should have a firm cake layer on top with a bubbling chocolate sauce underneath.

Pro Tips for Making Chocolate self-saucing pudding

  • Use quality cocoa powder: A good cocoa powder dramatically improves the pudding’s flavor, so don’t skimp here.
  • Don’t mix hot water in: Pour it gently on top to form that magical sauce—mixing will ruin the self-saucing effect.
  • Room temperature ingredients work best: This helps the batter combine smoothly for the perfect texture.
  • Check doneness carefully: The pudding top should be set and springy, but the sauce beneath remains liquid.
  • Serve warm: This pudding is best enjoyed fresh and warm for maximum gooey pleasure.

How to Serve Chocolate self-saucing pudding

Garnishes

Consider topping your pudding with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or fresh berries to add freshness and balance its rich chocolatey depth.

Side Dishes

Pair your pudding with lightly sweetened custard or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce to amplify the comfort factor without overwhelming the chocolate flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve individual portions in ramekins for a cozy, personalized treat, or present it family-style straight from the baking dish for easy sharing and inviting comfort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Chocolate self-saucing pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, retaining most of its moist and gooey goodness once gently reheated.

Freezing

This pudding freezes well—cover tightly and freeze in individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve texture.

Reheating

Warm leftovers in the microwave or oven until heated through, adding a splash of milk if it feels too thick or dry to regain that silky sauce consistency.

FAQs

What makes it a self-saucing pudding?

The magic lies in sprinkling sugar on the batter and pouring hot water on top before baking—this creates a rich, gooey chocolate sauce beneath the fluffy cake layer without extra fuss.

Can I make this pudding gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure your cocoa powder contains no additives. The texture will still be wonderfully indulgent.

Is it possible to prepare the batter in advance?

You can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately and combine them just before baking, but for the best rise and sauce effect, avoid assembling too far in advance.

How can I make the pudding more chocolatey?

Try increasing the cocoa powder slightly or adding chocolate chips to the batter for extra melty pockets throughout the pudding.

What are the best containers to bake this pudding in?

An oven-safe ceramic or glass baking dish works perfectly, as does individual ramekins if you want personal portions with less baking time.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about a warm, chocolatey pudding bubbling with sauce, and this Chocolate self-saucing pudding recipe delivers exactly that without any fuss or fancy ingredients. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing guests, this dessert is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll turn to time and time again. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become your new favorite go-to dessert for cozy nights and sweet celebrations alike.

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Chocolate self-saucing pudding

Chocolate self-saucing pudding


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  • Author: Lina
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Can be gluten-free by substituting flour with gluten-free blend

Description

A quick and indulgent Chocolate self-saucing pudding recipe that creates a luscious gooey chocolate sauce beneath a light, fluffy pudding layer. This fuss-free dessert uses simple pantry staples and bakes in under an hour, perfect for cozy nights or last-minute treats.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup caster sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 60g melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings and Sauce

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup hot water

Instructions

  1. Prepare your baking dish: Grease an 8-inch square baking dish generously with butter to prevent sticking and help achieve a golden edge.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, caster sugar, baking powder, and cocoa powder to ensure even baking and chocolate distribution.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Slowly pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until the batter is smooth, thick but pourable, and free of lumps.
  4. Spread batter and add toppings: Pour the batter into the prepared dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar over the batter; this will form the self-saucing layer.
  5. Add the hot water: Carefully pour hot water over the entire pudding surface without mixing. This water creates the luscious chocolate sauce beneath as it bakes.
  6. Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30-35 minutes, until the top is set and springy and the sauce underneath is bubbling and gooey.

Notes

  • Use quality cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
  • Do not mix the hot water into the batter; it must remain on top to create the sauce.
  • Room temperature ingredients help create a smooth batter and better texture.
  • Check doneness by ensuring the top is set but the sauce beneath still liquid.
  • Serve warm for the best gooey chocolate experience.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Australian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 pudding
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg

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