Aztec Hot Chocolate Pudding

Serves 4.

• Butter for greasing pudding dish

• 1 c. flour

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 1/2 tsp. baking soda

• Pinch of salt

• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp. chili powder

• 1 c. superfine sugar

• 1/2 c. best-quality cocoa powder, divided

• 1/2 c. milk

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/4 c. corn oil

• 1/2 c. dark brown sugar

• 1/4 c. dark rum

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 8-cup pudding or souffle dish. Set aside. In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, chili, superfine sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. In small bowl, mix milk, vanilla and oil. Pour into flour mixture. Mix by hand for thick smooth batter.

Spoon batter into pudding dish, and smooth the top. Pour 3/4 cup water into a small pan. Set over high heat, and bring to boil. In small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup cocoa with brown sugar, making sure there are no lumps. Spread evenly across the batter. Pour boiling water over it, and top with rum.

Bake pudding until top is a bubbling sponge and center is wobbly and liquid, about 30 minutes. To serve, spoon out portions that include some of the top and chocolate sauce beneath. If desired, accompany with vanilla ice cream.