Slow Cooker Chocolate Cherry Self-Saucing Pudding Recipe
This Slow Cooker Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding with Cherries is a rich and indulgent dessert featuring a moist chocolate cake with molten chocolate sauce underneath. Infused with orange zest and dark chocolate chunks, and studded with fresh or frozen cherries, this comforting pudding is perfect for a cozy gathering. Cooked slowly in a slow cooker, it develops a luscious sauce beneath the cake, making it an irresistible warm treat served ideally with vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pudding Batter
- 125 grams brown sugar
- 100 grams salted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- Zest of one orange
- 125 ml milk
- 250 grams self-raising flour
- 30 grams cocoa powder
- 100 grams good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped
- 150 grams fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
Chocolate Sauce
- 150 grams white or brown sugar
- 20 grams cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau) (optional)
- 2 cups boiling water
Optional Topping
- 50 grams grated milk chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, melted salted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, and milk. Using an electric handheld mixer or whisk, beat the mixture until well combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the self-raising flour and cocoa powder into the wet mixture, mixing until you achieve a smooth batter with no lumps.
- Fold in Cherries and Chocolate: Gently fold through the chopped dark chocolate and the pitted fresh or frozen cherries to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Butter the inside of your slow cooker pot thoroughly to prevent sticking. Pour the batter into the pot and spread it evenly across the bottom.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, and orange liqueur (if using). Heat gently until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is well combined.
- Pour Sauce Over Batter: Carefully pour the boiling water over the sauce mixture in the saucepan, stirring to combine. Then, gently pour this sauce over the chocolate batter in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker pot with a tea towel before placing on the lid to absorb excess moisture during cooking.
- Cook the Pudding: Cook the pudding on high for 1 hour and 25 minutes to 2 hours. Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes into cooking, sprinkle grated milk chocolate over the top if using, allowing it to melt into the pudding.
- Check for Doneness: The pudding is done when the top is springy to the touch and a sharp knife inserted into the top two-thirds comes out with no raw batter; the bottom should remain molten and saucy.
- Serve Warm: Serve the pudding warm, ideally with a side of vanilla ice cream to complement the rich chocolate and cherry flavors.
Notes
- Using a tea towel under the slow cooker lid helps prevent condensation dripping back onto the pudding, maintaining the texture.
- You can substitute fresh cherries with frozen ones; just ensure they are well drained if frozen.
- Orange liqueur is optional but adds a lovely citrus depth that complements the chocolate.
- The pudding can be kept warm in the slow cooker on the 'warm' setting for up to 1 hour before serving.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute self-raising flour with a gluten-free self-raising flour blend.
