How to Make Easy Gooey Chocolate Cake

For the easiest and quickest chocolate cake, which tastes almost like a brownie, try this recipe. The splash of hot coffee can be regular or decaf, and is OK for kids in such a small amount; but don't tell them the secret, that coffee--perhaps along with the melted butter--is the secret to the cake's gooey quality. Tastes fab warm from the oven, or after a few seconds in the microwave, served with a scoop of ice cream.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 heaping tbsp high-quality cocoa powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• Dash of salt
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup hot coffee, regular or decaf
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• 9 x 9 square baking pan, glass or metal
• Beater (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350. The prep work really does go fast.

2. Combine 1/2 cup of the sugar, 1 heaping tbsp cocoa powder (2 tbsp if regular quality), flour, baking powder and salt. Using the wooden spoon or electric beater, throroughly blend in the milk, butter and vanilla until batter is smooth.

3. Pour into square greased pan.

4. In a clean bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar with 1 tbsp cocoa powder (2 if regular quality) and brown sugar. Sprinkle this over the mixture in the pan. Then pour the hot coffee on the top, without stirring. If it looks overflowing, that's fine.

5. Bake 35 minutes until a fork or knife pierced in the center comes out clean. Let cool a few minutes, then cut and serve. Don't forget the ice cream, and dig in while the cake is still warm.