Brownie Pudding Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tbsp plus 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, divided (regular-type, dry)

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk (soy milk works too)

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

• optional walnuts

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 3/4 cups hot water

Sift together flour, sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa, baking powder and salt; add milk, oil and vanilla; mix until smooth.  (If you opted for nuts; stir them in now.)

Pour into greased 8-inch square baking pan.

Combine brown sugar, remaining 1/4 cup cocoa and hot water; pour over batter.

Bake in 350-degree oven about 45 minutes.  Should be gloppy, pudding goodness on the bottom.

Best served hot with vanilla ice cream.