CROCKPOT CHALLENGE ROUND 2 - Day 2 BONUS: Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake

I mean the title says it all, right? Do I need to say more? Chocolate. Fudge. Pudding. Love. This was inspired by a version on one of my favorite healthy dessert websites, Chocolate Covered Katie. The kids were my taste testers (rough gig, I know!) and as you might imagine, they were pretty happy about their job. This got a thumbs up from even my harshest critic, Parker.

Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake:

Ingredients
1 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c. cocoa powder
1/2 c. stevia 
1 Tbls brown sugar
1 1/2 c. milk of your choice (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
2 Tbls coconut or vegetable oil 
2 Tbls apple sauce
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c. boiling water
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips (optional - we opted because why not?)

Other optional add-ins: 1 tsp. instant coffee powder, chopped walnuts/almonds

Directions

1. Spray crockpot with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, stevia, brown sugar. Mix until combined.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk (warmed if you're using coconut oil), oil, vanilla and applesauce.

4.  Pour the milk mixture over the dry and stir until just combined. 

5. Pour into the crockpot and then pour the boiling water over the top. DO NOT STIR.

6. Sprinkle the chocolate chips (or nuts) on top if using. Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 hours. 

7. Turn off crockpot and open the lid slightly. Let it sit for another hour to let the cake thicken. 

It should be a thick pudding consistency day one but if you cool & refrigerate it overnight, it will be thicker and creamier on day 2 (if it lasts that long!)