Black Forest Pudding Cake

A friend of mine got this from the back of a Hershey's Cocoa box, but the recipe is so old she's copied it over many times. It's really good, really easy, and very impressive!

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1  cup flour
• 3  tablespoons  cocoa
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1⁄3 cup butter or 1⁄3 cup margarine, melted
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  cocoa
• 1 1⁄4 cups hot water
• 1⁄4 cup kirsch (or 2 tablespoons water plus 1/2 teaspoon almond extract)
•  cherry pie filling

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt in large bowl.
3. Add milk, melted butter and vanilla.
4. Beat until smooth.
5. Spread into 8 or 9 inch square baking pan.
6. Stir together remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa in small bowl.
7. Sprinkle mixture evenly over batter.
8. Combine hot water and kirsch, pour it over the batter.
9. Do not stir.
10. Bake for 40 minutes or until the center is almost set.
11. Let rest 15 minutes.
12. Spoon into dessert dishes, spooning sauce from the bottom of pan over the top.
13. Serve with cherry pie filling.