If you have a hankering for a dessert that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, you absolutely must try the Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe. This luscious treat combines the fudgy richness of a brownie with the delicate comfort of a pudding, all brightened by fragrant vanilla and a subtle hint of coffee. It’s perfect for impressing friends or simply indulging yourself on a cozy night in. The magic lies in its silky texture and the depth of flavors, creating something that feels both decadent and soothing at the same time.

Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is delightfully simple, yet each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color in this Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe.

Hot tap water: Used for the water bath to ensure gentle, even baking and a creamy texture.
1 cup unsalted butter (227g): Provides richness and moisture; greasing the dish with extra butter helps prevent sticking.
4 x-large eggs (room temperature): Eggs create structure while keeping the pudding custardy.
2 cups granulated sugar (400g): Sweetens perfectly, balancing the slight bitterness of cocoa.
1 vanilla bean (scraped) or 1 teaspoon extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth.
¾ teaspoon coffee extract (optional): Enhances the chocolate flavor with a subtle espresso note, making every bite richer.
¾ cups unsweetened cocoa powder (75g): The heart of this dessert, delivering intense chocolate flavor and a beautiful dark color.
½ cup all-purpose flour (65g): Just enough to hold things together without weighing down the gooey texture.
¾ teaspoon fine sea salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies the chocolate and coffee notes.
Ice cream (for serving): The perfect cool contrast to this warm, luscious pudding.

How to Make Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Environment

Start by preheating your oven to 325℉. Grease a 2-quart baking dish generously with butter—using the butter wrappers is a charming pro tip here. Place the dish into a deep roasting pan or something similar because this will hold the hot water needed for the water bath, ensuring gentle, even cooking.

Step 2: Set Up the Water Bath

Add enough hot tap water to your roasting pan so it reaches halfway up the sides of your baking dish. This technique is key to achieving that perfect pudding consistency — the water bath prevents the edges from baking too quickly and keeps everything silky smooth.

Step 3: Melt Butter and Let Cool

Melt your 1 cup of unsalted butter in a medium pot. Once it’s fully melted, remove it from heat and let it cool a bit while you prepare the batter. This prevents cooking the eggs when we mix in the butter later.

Step 4: Whip Eggs and Sugar

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle or using a hand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar on speed 6 for about 5 to 7 minutes. This step is crucial because it aerates the mixture, giving your pudding a lighter, delicate crumb. Scrape the bowl every few minutes to ensure even mixing. You’ll want to see a pale, thick, and fluffy texture before moving on.

Step 5: Add Vanilla and Coffee Extract

Slice your vanilla bean in half and scrape out those precious vanilla seeds, also called vanilla caviar — it’s pure magic in desserts. Combine the seeds and the coffee extract into the egg mixture. The coffee is optional but highly recommended; it intensifies the chocolate without overpowering the dish.

Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Sift together the cocoa powder, flour, and sea salt right into the egg mixture. This ensures no lumps and that the flour blends evenly without overworking the batter, which keeps the pudding tender. Mix just until combined and scrape the bowl again to make sure everything is evenly incorporated.

Step 7: Add Melted Butter Slowly

Turn the mixer to low and pour in the cooled butter gradually. Be sure to scrape any remaining butter from your pot into the batter to keep all that rich flavor in. This slow incorporation will keep the batter smooth and prevent any greasiness.

Step 8: Final Folding and Pouring

Gently scrape down the sides and fold the batter 15 to 30 seconds by hand for a uniform texture. Pour the luscious batter into the buttered baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 9: Bake in the Water Bath

Place your baking dish back into the roasting pan with the hot water and pop it into the oven. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a tester inserted about 2 inches from the edge comes out mostly clean, but the center still jiggles slightly. This gooey center is exactly what makes this Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe unforgettable.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Allow your pudding to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping it into bowls. This short rest lets everything settle into the perfect pudding-like consistency that melts in your mouth.

How to Serve Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe

Garnishes

A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing here, its creamy coolness perfectly balancing the warm richness of the pudding. Fresh berries also make a stunning and slightly tart garnish, while a drizzle of heavy cream adds an extra indulgent touch that pampers your taste buds.

Side Dishes

This pudding stands beautifully on its own, but if you want to elevate your dessert spread, fresh whipped cream or a simple bowl of seasonal fruit complements it well. A light cup of coffee or espresso will echo the coffee notes in the pudding, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe in elegant ramekins for a personal touch, or layer it with whipped cream and berries in glass parfaits for a show-stopping dessert presentation. For a fun twist, drizzle caramel sauce or sprinkle with flaky sea salt to highlight the chocolate’s complexity.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare!), cover the pudding tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for up to 3 days while maintaining most of its luscious texture and flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze the pudding in an airtight container, but I recommend freezing in portions for convenience. It stores well for up to a month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge to keep that delightful softness.

Reheating

Reheat portions gently in the microwave or in a warm oven, just until warmed through. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the edges. Pair with fresh ice cream after reheating to revive the dessert’s original indulgent appeal.

FAQs

Can I skip the coffee extract?

Absolutely! The coffee extract is optional and mainly serves to deepen the chocolate flavor. The pudding will still be delicious without it, just slightly less complex.

What if I don’t have a vanilla bean?

You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of good-quality vanilla extract. It won’t have quite the same speckled look but will still add wonderful vanilla warmth to the dessert.

Can I use a different pan size?

A 2-quart baking dish is ideal for even baking and pudding thickness, but if you only have a larger or smaller pan, adjust the baking time accordingly and keep an eye on doneness.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe includes all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, a gluten-free flour blend can often work in equal measure, but texture may vary slightly.

Why is a water bath needed?

The water bath creates a moist, gentle heat that cooks the pudding evenly and prevents the edges from becoming dry or cakey, which is essential for that signature soft, gooey texture.

Final Thoughts

I cannot recommend making this Viral Brownie Pudding with Vanilla and Coffee Recipe enough. Each spoonful feels like a tiny celebration of everything that’s wonderful about chocolate desserts — rich, gooey, aromatic, and utterly comforting. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or keeping it all to yourself, it’s a dessert experience you’ll want to return to again and again.