Grandma's Double Chocolate-Orange Pudding Cake (Recipe)

Filled with old-fashioned goodness, this dessert works well in a slow cooker.  Orange zest and chocolate chips give it extra pizzazz.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 2/3 cups hot water

Whipped cream or chocolate ice cream

Steps

1.  In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons of the cocoa, the baking powder, and the salt until well blended.  Stir in the milk, butter, orange zest, and chocolate chips and mix well.  Turn the batter into a 3 1/2 quart electric slow cooker.

2.  In another bowl, mix together the brown sugar and remaining 1/4 cup cocoa until well blended.  sprinkle over the batter.  Gently pour the water evenly over all;  do not stir.

3.  Cover and cook on the high heat setting about 1 3/4 to 2 hours, or until a tester inserted in the cake portion of the dessert comes out clean.  (Do not cook on the low heat setting for a longer time.)  Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with whipped cream.