Ugly Cake

Dive into the delightful chaos of the "Ugly Cake," a decadent dessert that defies its humble appearance with a rich, irresistible flavor. This self-saucing chocolate cake features a gooey, pudding-like base layered beneath a moist, nutty crumb, making every bite a sinful treat. Made with simple pantry staples like cocoa powder, brown sugar, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, the magic unfolds as hot water is poured over the batter before baking, creating a luscious sauce beneath the cake without any extra effort. Perfect for chocolate lovers and casual bakers alike, this easy one-pan wonder takes just 15 minutes to prep and emerges from the oven ready to impress—especially when topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Whether served as is or adorned with extra nuts and chocolate chips, the Ugly Cake delivers bold flavor in the most delectably messy package!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup Whole milk
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 1.5 cups Hot water
• 0.5 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 0.25 cup Caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.

Step 3

Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir until just combined to form a smooth batter.

Step 4

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 5

Sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts evenly over the batter.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and additional cocoa powder (2 tablespoons if desired for extra depth). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter and nuts.

Step 7

Carefully pour the hot water over the top of the entire batter. Do not stir. The liquid will create a self-saucing effect as the cake bakes.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top looks set and slightly cracked but the bottom remains gooey. A toothpick inserted into the top half should come out mostly clean.

Step 9

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. The bottom layer will thicken into a pudding-like texture as it cools.

Step 10

Serve warm. Optionally drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle additional nuts or chocolate chips on top for extra flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1606.3 grams (1606.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4461

Total Fat 205.30g	263%
Saturated Fat 94.90g	475%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.30g
Cholesterol 288mg	96%
Sodium 2323mg	101%
Total Carbohydrate 685.30g	249%
Dietary Fiber 62.40g	223%
Total Sugars 447.40g
Protein 66.30g	133%

Vitamin D 107IU	537%
Calcium 735mg	57%
Iron 33mg	182%
Potassium 2983mg	63%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.1%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 56.5%