Hot Fudge Pudding Cake in Milk Chocolate Sauce

1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (optional)
2 1/2 cups hot milk
icing sugar (powdered sugar)

Combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt in a 13x9x2" ungreased rectangular cake pan. Combine butter and 1/4 cup cocoa; add to dry ingredients along with 1/2 cup milk and vanilla; mix well with fork.

Combine remaining 3/4 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 cup cocoa and almonds. Sprinkle over batter.

Carefully pour 2 1/2 cups hot milk over all; do not stir.

Bake in preheated 350oF oven 40-45 minutes or until top is shiny and sauce is bubbly. Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately with whipped cream or ice cream and garnish with additional almonds, if desired.