This molten chocolate pudding looks like it came from a restaurant, but it actually cooks itself while you get on with life. The magic happens in the slow cooker, where the batter transforms into a soft, cake-like top with a rich chocolate sauce hiding underneath. Recipe compliments of Instant Pot.

Ingredients

Pudding

• 125 g brown sugar
• 100 g salted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs
• Zest of 1 orange
• 125 ml milk
• 250 g self-raising flour
• 30 g cocoa powder
• 100 g dark chocolate (70%), chopped
• 150 g fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
• 50 g grated milk chocolate (optional)

Chocolate sauce

• 150 g white or brown sugar
• 20 g cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp orange liqueur, optional
• 2 cups boiling water

Method

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, orange zest and milk until smooth.
2. Add the self-raising flour and cocoa powder and mix until fully combined.
3. Fold through the chopped dark chocolate and cherries.
4. Grease the slow cooker pot well, then spoon in the batter and spread it evenly.
5. In a small pot, heat all the sauce ingredients until the sugar dissolves.
6. Gently pour the sauce over the batter. Do not stir.
7. Cover the pot with a clean tea towel, then place the lid on top to catch excess moisture.
8. Cook on high for 1 hour 25 minutes to 2 hours.
9. About 1 hour 10 minutes in, scatter the grated milk chocolate over the top if using.
10. The pudding is ready when the top feels springy, and the upper layer is cooked.
11. Serve warm with vanilla ice-cream.