01 -
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
02 -
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
03 -
Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir until smooth and fully combined.
04 -
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
05 -
In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar and cocoa powder for the topping.
06 -
Evenly sprinkle the topping mixture over the cake batter.
07 -
Carefully pour hot water over the top without stirring, creating the fudgy sauce layer beneath the cake.
08 -
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is firm and the edges have slightly pulled away from the dish.
09 -
Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Scoop warm cake into bowls, ensuring to include some of the rich chocolate sauce. Serve as-is, or top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat!