Downton Night - Chocolate Fudge Hot-Pot Pudding

Tonight's Downton Abbey was fabulous.  I squealed with delight when Lady Mary spun around in that hairdresser's chair to reveal her stylish bob. I am a sucker for short doos.  I loved Cora's honesty with Robert.  Does she know about the maid a few seasons ago?  Likely not but hey, she knows his nature!  Are you ready to see if anything will transpire between the Russian prince and the Dowager?  Hmm... she looks a little older than he is.  I do feel sorry for poor Daisy who is still reeling from Ms. Bunting's leaving.  I do like how she and Moseley are forming a bond over education.  Times are changing!!  And poor Isis!  I sure hope she makes a full recovery.

The only thing that made this installment even better was the amazing Chocolate Fudge Hot-Pot Pudding I enjoyed right along with it.  The recipe comes from The Great British Bake Off: How To Bake The Perfect Victoria Sponge And Other Baking Secrets and it is to die for.

If you love chocolate, like I love chocolate, you will be hooked from the first bite... well, likely before.  If the scent of chocolate while making the sauce doesn't hook you, I am not sure you LOVE chocolate.

Caution:  Because the recipe came from a British cookbook, it is not written in the American style of cups.  I did convert everything to ounces so you can better estimate using common measuring methods.  However, if you have a kitchen scale and prefer to use it, the measurement for grams is in parentheses.

Ingredients:

4 1/2 ounces of unsalted butter, softened (125g)
4 1/2 ounces of superfine sugar (125g)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 1/2 ounces self rising flour (75g)
8 tablespoons cocoa
2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon milk
4 1/2 ounces light brown sugar (125g)
300 milliliters boiling water


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter a 2 to 2 1/2 quart casserole dish and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter until cream.  Add sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate with each addition.

Sift flour and 4 tablespoons of the cocoa into the bowl and fold into the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla mixture.

Add chopped chocolate and milk.  Transfer pudding to the buttered dish and spread evenly.

In a heat proof bowl, sift the final 4 tablespoons of the cocoa with the brown sugar.  Whisk in the boiling water until the contents become thin and even.  Seriously, the aroma is INTOXICATING!

Pour the sauce over the pudding and bake 30 to 35 minutes, until the pudding is firm to the touch and the sauce is bubbling.

Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream.

I am thrilled Lady Edith finally decided what she wanted and took her child back.  I feel awful for Mrs. Drew who was visibly heartbroken to lose Marigold.  Let's hope poor Edith can craft a happy life for herself.  Until next week!  Now, let me enjoy this divine chocolate dessert.

By the way, this would make an INCREDIBLE dessert for Valentine's Day.  Just sayin'.