Hot Fudge Sundae Pudding Cake

1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons salad oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts or raisins [optional]
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 3/4 cups boiling water
Ice cream


Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an ungreased square pan, 9 x 9 x 2 inch, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Mix in milk, oil and vanilla with fork until smooth. Stir in optional raisins or nuts. Spread evenly in pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cocoa. Pour boiling hot water over batter. Bake for 40 minutes. The water will make a sauce with the brown sugar and cocoa and percolate down to the bottom of the pan. You will get a wonderful moist pudding with a bottom layer of rich chocolate sauce. Let stand for 15 minutes. Spoon into dessert dishes or cut into squares. Invert each square onto dessert plate. Top with ice cream and spoon sauce over each square.