Our guide on How To Make Chocolate Pudding Cake for you to try to cook at home.
Chocolate pudding cake, often referred to as “chocolate lava cake” or “molten chocolate cake,” is a beloved dessert known for its gooey, pudding-like center. This indulgent treat combines the elements of a rich chocolate cake and a soft pudding.
This chocolate pudding cake is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover’s cravings with its deep, rich flavor and soft texture, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Here’s a straightforward recipe along with some tips for making it perfect every time, and an estimation of its calorie content.
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How to Make Chocolate Pudding Cake
Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe Ingredients
1 cup (125 grams) of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
7 tablespoons (100 grams) of unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (150 grams) of granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup (120 ml) of milk
1/2 cup (90 grams) of semisweet chocolate chips
Optional: powdered sugar or vanilla ice cream for serving
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Step By Step How to Make Chocolate Pudding Cake
Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or a similar sized oven-safe dish.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a larger mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This can be done using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine with Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake tough. Sift the cocoa powder over the batter to avoid lumps and fold it in gently. Then stir in the chocolate chips.
Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. The center should be slightly jiggly but not entirely set, as it will continue to cook and set up as it cools.
Serve
Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
Tips To Make Chocolate Pudding Cake
Be careful not to overbake the cake. The goal is to have a gooey, pudding-like center. Use good quality cocoa and chocolate chips, as they are central to the flavor of the cake.
This cake is best served warm to maximize the gooey, molten effect of the pudding inside.
How Many Calories Have Chocolate Pudding Cake
A serving of chocolate pudding cake can have approximately 300-400 calories, depending on the size of the serving and the specific ingredients used. This calculation does not include any additional toppings like powdered sugar or ice cream.
Origin and History
Chocolate pudding cake is a dessert born from home kitchens rather than professional bakeries, making it a true comfort classic. It emerged in North America in the mid-20th century, when home cooks began experimenting with “magic” baking techniques that created multiple textures in a single dish. The recipe fascinated people because it formed a cake layer on top and a silky pudding sauce underneath—all from one batter.
Its popularity grew rapidly thanks to community cookbooks and family recipe cards. At a time when convenience foods were rising, this dessert still felt homemade, affordable, and surprisingly elegant. With simple pantry ingredients like cocoa, flour, butter, and sugar, it became a go-to treat for weeknights, potlucks, and cozy winter dinners.
Over time, different regions adapted the recipe. Some added coffee for depth, others folded in spices, and many played with toppings or brownie-like variations. Yet the heart of chocolate pudding cake stayed the same: warm, gooey, nostalgic comfort in one spoonful. It’s the kind of dessert that tastes like childhood, even if you’ve never had it before.
One of the biggest debates is whether chocolate pudding cake should be served straight from the oven or allowed to cool slightly. Some believe the molten, ultra-gooey texture is the entire point, while others prefer it thickened and more scoopable. This divide often comes down to whether you want a dessert that behaves like a lava cake or one that resembles a fudge brownie with its own sauce.
There’s also ongoing disagreement about sweetness levels. Traditional recipes lean sugary, which some modern bakers say drowns out the chocolate flavor. Others argue that the dessert was never meant to be sophisticated—it’s supposed to be indulgent and nostalgic, not dark and minimalist. This tension mirrors broader debates about the evolution of dessert tastes.
Another controversial topic is whether boxed mixes are “cheating.” Purists insist that a proper chocolate pudding cake must be made from scratch to achieve its layered magic. Meanwhile, busy home bakers argue that boxed shortcuts replicate the texture just fine. In truth, both approaches work; the real magic lies in the contrast of cake and pudding, not the ingredient purity.
How Long You Take to Prepare
Chocolate pudding cake is refreshingly quick to assemble. Mixing the batter and topping usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes—all you need is a bowl, a whisk, and your baking dish. This makes it perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests. You don’t need to cream butter or melt chocolate; the recipe was designed for simplicity.
Once assembled, the cake bakes for 30 to 40 minutes depending on your oven and desired texture. A shorter bake time yields more sauce and a softer top layer, while a longer bake creates a firmer cake with slightly less pudding underneath. Either way, most of the work happens inside the oven while you wait.
Cooling time is flexible. You can serve it immediately while it’s bubbling hot or let it settle for 10 to 15 minutes so the pudding thickens slightly. From start to finish, you’re looking at less than an hour, making this one of the fastest “wow factor” desserts to prepare at home.
Serving Suggestions
Chocolate pudding cake shines when served warm, allowing the sauce to pool around each scoop. A scoop of vanilla ice cream brings perfect contrast: cold, creamy sweetness melting into warm, chocolatey richness. If ice cream isn’t your preference, a dollop of whipped cream works just as well, adding lightness to each bite.
You can also pair the cake with fresh berries. Raspberries, strawberries, or cherries cut through the richness with bright, tangy flavor. For an extra touch, dust the top lightly with cocoa powder or powdered sugar right before serving to give it a finished, café-style look.
If you want to elevate the dessert further, drizzle espresso, caramel, or chocolate sauce over the top. You can even add chopped nuts, sea salt, or chocolate chips for texture. Chocolate pudding cake adapts easily to different moods and occasions, whether simple or dressed up.
Final Thoughts
Chocolate pudding cake remains a favorite for one reason: it delivers pure comfort without demanding much effort. Its warm, velvety texture feels indulgent, yet the ingredients and method keep it firmly in the “anyone can make this” category. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy techniques to create something memorable.
This dessert also carries a sense of nostalgia that resonates across generations. Whether you grew up eating it or discovered it as an adult, it brings the same warm satisfaction. It’s the kind of recipe you return to again and again because it simply never disappoints.
In the end, chocolate pudding cake earns its place as a timeless classic. It’s cozy, dramatic, and irresistibly delicious—all from a single batter. Once you make it at home, you’ll understand why this humble, old-fashioned dessert still feels like the ultimate treat.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.