As a child, I used to beg my mother to make this for us, even when I was more than old enough to make it myself. It was a special weeknight non-fruit dessert treat that invariably came from the kitchen in a large bowl, oozingly hot and chocolatey, topped with my favourite old english toffee ice-cream.
photo credit: I love chocolate pudding
I do have to admit, I'm not usually fond of microwave recipes.
The microwave bewilders me; it places a plastic barrier between the food and my senses, blocking out changing smells and textures and rendering me useless. I can only gaze at the steady spinning, whirring and hoping that the 'ding' will come at the right time.
My grandmother was always equally hopeless with the microwave. I recall her wrapping butter in aluminium foil and putting it in the microwave because someone had told her she could do that to soften it. I also recall the zapping noises and the sparks.
This recipe is however so enticingly easy and delicious that even I and my microwave manage to call the truce long enough to make this one.
I'd be surprised if you didn't have all of the ingredients in your fridge and pantry right now and you'll be delighted to know that this pudding is prepared, cooked and served in just one dish!
Photo credt: 365:339 Microwaved
You will need to consider your own microwave's power rating and adjust the time accordingly; the time is set based on the older 800 watt microwaves. It is probably wise to drop the power down to medium-high if your microwave isn't similarly ancient.
Ingredients
- 60g butter
- 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
- 220g caster sugar (about 1 cup)
- 25g cocoa (1/4 cup)
- 180ml milk (I use low-fat milk and it works fine)
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 35g (1/3 cup) cocoa, extra
- 2 cups boiling water
Method
Place butter in a large microwave-proof dish and heat on high for 60 seconds to melt. (Note: I still can't bring myself to do this and melt the butter in a pan on the stove then add to the dish)
Stir in sifted flour, caster sugar, and cocoa. Add the milk and vanilla and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.
Sprinkle with combined brown sugar and extra cocoa.
Carefully pour the boiling water slowly over the back of a large metal spoon and over the pudding mixture.
Cook on high for 12 minutes (Note: Eep! Try 8 minutes on medium-high in a modern microwave and see how you go) until springy-soft and just cooked in the centre.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes if you can, then serve with ice-cream or cream.
photo credit: the last bit of pudding
I promise it will be magic.
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Thanks for the recipe - I really want to try this out! Speaking of bad microwave experiences, my dad tried to make a grilled cheese in one. Let's just say it's not a good idea to microwave cheese between 2 slices of bread for 5 minutes! At least we got a good laugh
Wow, I bet that microwaved cheese sandwich made a mess!
BTW: The pudding can also be made more interesting with the addition of some coffee (replace some of the milk if using espresso, or just add some instant if you have it, in to the pudding or sauce parts - or both) but it really is basic, comfort food. It isn't at all the kind of thing I usually cook but it is perfectly impossible to stuff up. It is very forgiving.
For those not familiar with self-saucing puddings - the sauce will be underneath and the pudding spongy and springy on top.
I am pretty amaze by one of my colleague at work for his skill in baking with a microwave. To tell you the truth, I do not see it as baking but I have to give him brownie points for making an effort to bake for a guy. HAHA..
My friend tried to cook rice (which I have tried before with much success) in the Microwave but instead of setting the timer for 20 minutes she set it for 2 hours. Let's just say that they did not eat rice that night. LOL.
I'm with you Feli, I think it is more than a bit of a stretch to call it 'baking'!
I feel somewhat vindicated that I'm not the only one who does silly things in the microwave - I just think that once it goes in we tend to forget about it!
Thank you so much i have been trying to find this receipe for ages - my kids will love you and so do I.
I'm pleased to hear that Mel! Don't forget to adjust the power rating for a newer microwave, and enjoy
Mmmmm I was searching for a self saucing choc pudding and stumbled across yours.... I'm about to make it and will come back to let you know how it turned out!
This pudding was soo completely delicious and easy! The actual definition of a chocolate pudding.
Thanks Rachel!
By the way - I think it's fabulous how you describe your recipes: 'peppery tingle' and 'tragically cute' - just love it!
Hi, this recepie was made for me when I visited my inlows in New Zealand.
Now I am at home I would like to try it myself. I just want to half the size. What do I do with the microwave time?????
Am in the midst of making this right now and am confused! What is a cup? Some of the measurements give grams and cups, so I am using the grams where I can, and guessing based on consistency where not, but it would really help to know for sure.
Hi Joanna
A metric cup is 250ml. A cup of flour will weigh about 135g, a cup of brown sugar weighs about 200g.
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of flour so that will be about 202g and a cup of brown sugar so that'd be 200g of that too. And then you'll add 500ml of boiling water.
I strongly suggest getting a set of cooking cups and spoons. It is a lot quicker than weighing out each ingredient and few recipes need to-the-gram precision.
Awesome recipe, sooooooo easy and quick and im enjoying it as i type
Oh Ky Goodness that was amazing
Yummy 
heys
I really wanna try this recipe, but instead of brown sugar is it possible to use raw sugar?
This recipe is really forgiving (once when I was half asleep I put the sugar and cocoa for the topping into the pudding itself and vice versa. It turned out fine.
The heat should dissolve the sugar but it may not have the richness you get from brown sugar. Let me know how you get on!
very yum, just tried it. only thing is i need to get a larger bowl as i lost half the sauce into the microwave! very fast and easy to make thanx
I tried this today as a quick pudding for my daughters, I didn't know what to expect with it being made in a microwave and I am used to baking properly but I was really surprised by how good it tasted. My girls loved it and had two big helpings and I heated some up later for my hubby, I don't know if it would keep well til the next day as it had started to go quite hard a few hours later but as a quick tasty pudding it was perfect.
Sorry - forgot to say thank you Rachel for the recipe !!!
One last thing, having relooked at your recipe it seems you had more sauce than I had, mine turned out to be more sponge, could I have over cooked it or not put enough water on top, any ideas welcomed!
Hi, Rachel! So nice to meet you. I was drawn to your site after reading a comment you left at SmittenKitchen.com. Your use of language, including made-up words, was what drew me in, lol -- so charming --and I'm not disappointed! Just love the look of your blog, and enjoying your writing as well. So thank you so much for all your sharing!
On the subject of this recipe, would you agree that the 180ml of milk is equal to about 3/4 cup?
Again, so nice to find your blog and I look forward to exploring it thoroughly (especially the recipes)!
Hi Nicky, it is possible it cooked a bit too long. If you've got a faster microwave than mine it may dry it out faster. Maybe try cooking a little less next time and let me know how you go
I just made one bowl with 1/3 themeasurements. makes a great single serve. this is a keeper!
I just made this and LOVED it. Was searching for a super quick and easy microwave self saucing pudding (as it's 30 degrees celcius today and too hot for oven!). It only took 10 mins to mix together and put ingredients away, cooked to perfection in an older style microwave and was just as good as my nanna's self saucing oven recipe. Thanks Nicky!!! Fully recommend!!!
WOW!!!! That was a really great pudding. The perfect dessert to combat my pregnancy cravings
I have a newer microwave that is 1000W and i cooked on medium high for 8 minutes but it was no where near long enough.so i cooked it for another 4 minutes on medium high and still wasnt cooked. so i put it on for another 2 minutes on high.and YAy it was ready and really yummmy.great to have this recipe when i want something wipped up fast.thanks
This has to be one of the best pudding mixes I've made!
I will be very lucky if there is enough batter left to bake!