If you’re a chocolate lover, you need to try my Grandmother’s Southern Chocolate Cobbler! It’s rich, gooey, and so easy to make. Imagine a warm, brownie-like top with a smooth, fudgy sauce underneath that’s similar to a lava cake—but without the fuss. It’s perfect when you want to treat yourself to a cozy dessert or impress guests with minimal effort. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got an irresistible dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to Make: This recipe doesn’t require any fancy equipment or complicated steps—just mix, pour, and bake!
Rich Chocolate Flavor: With cocoa powder in both the batter and the topping, this cobbler delivers an intense chocolate taste that chocolate lovers will adore.
Decadent Sauce: The magic of this cobbler is how it creates its own gooey chocolate sauce underneath a tender cake-like topping as it bakes.
Great for Crowds: This recipe is made in a 9×13-inch baking dish, making it perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or any time you want to impress guests.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this classic Southern treat:
Butter: I use salted butter, but feel free to use unsalted if that’s what you have on hand.
Granulated Sugar: You can also use coconut sugar or your preferred sugar substitute.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This adds a deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Self-Rising Flour: If you don’t have self-rising flour, use all-purpose flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt.
Milk: Whole milk is best, but low-fat, oat milk, or buttermilk also work.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a nice depth of flavor—use a good-quality vanilla for the best results.
For the Topping:
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the rich chocolate sauce.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Creates that fudgy, chocolatey layer.
Boiling Water: Helps create the gooey sauce beneath the cobbler.
If you’re a chocolate lover, you need to try my Grandmother’s Southern Chocolate Cobbler! It’s rich, gooey, and so easy to make. Imagine a warm, brownie-like top with a smooth, fudgy sauce underneath that’s similar to a lava cake—but without the fuss. It’s perfect when you want to treat yourself to a cozy dessert or impress guests with minimal effort. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got an irresistible dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to Make: This recipe doesn’t require any fancy equipment or complicated steps—just mix, pour, and bake!
Rich Chocolate Flavor: With cocoa powder in both the batter and the topping, this cobbler delivers an intense chocolate taste that chocolate lovers will adore.
Decadent Sauce: The magic of this cobbler is how it creates its own gooey chocolate sauce underneath a tender cake-like topping as it bakes.
Great for Crowds: This recipe is made in a 9×13-inch baking dish, making it perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or any time you want to impress guests.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this classic Southern treat:
Butter: I use salted butter, but feel free to use unsalted if that’s what you have on hand.
Granulated Sugar: You can also use coconut sugar or your preferred sugar substitute.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This adds a deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Self-Rising Flour: If you don’t have self-rising flour, use all-purpose flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt.
Milk: Whole milk is best, but low-fat, oat milk, or buttermilk also work.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a nice depth of flavor—use a good-quality vanilla for the best results.
For the Topping:
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the rich chocolate sauce.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Creates that fudgy, chocolatey layer.
Boiling Water: Helps create the gooey sauce beneath the cobbler.
Serving Suggestions
Classic with Vanilla Ice Cream: The combination of hot cobbler and cold ice cream is simply divine.
Whipped Cream: A dollop of homemade whipped cream adds a light and airy touch to each rich bite.
Fresh Berries: For a little tartness to balance the sweetness, try adding fresh raspberries or strawberries on top.
Drizzle of Caramel: Add an extra layer of indulgence with a drizzle of caramel sauce over the ice cream-topped cobbler.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Storing Leftovers: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until heated through.
Make-Ahead Tips: While this cobbler is best served fresh, you can prepare the batter and topping mixture in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 1 day and assemble when ready to bake.
Freezing: You can freeze the baked cobbler in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the oven at 300°F for about 15 minutes before serving.
This Southern Chocolate Cobbler is the kind of recipe that warms your heart and keeps everyone coming back for seconds. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: Dessert, Comfort Food
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 450 kcal
Ingredients
1/2 cup (113 g) butter
1 1/2 cups (297 g) granulated sugar
3 tbsp (16 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups (226 g) self-rising flour
1 cup (227 g) whole milk
2 tsp (9 g) vanilla extract
For Topping:
2 cups (396 g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (42 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups (681 g) boiling water
Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional but highly recommended)
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare the Dish
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and let it melt in the oven as it preheats. Once melted, carefully remove the dish and set it aside.
Make the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 cups self-rising flour, 1 cup whole milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and fully incorporated.
Assemble the Cobbler
Spoon the batter evenly over the melted butter in the baking dish. Do not stir—let the batter float on top.
Prepare the Topping
In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter in the baking dish.
Add the Boiling Water
Slowly pour 3 cups of boiling water over the sugar and cocoa topping. Again, do not stir—this step is crucial for forming the cobbler’s gooey sauce layer.
Bake
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top has set and forms a crust. The bottom will remain loose and saucy.
Cool and Serve
Let the cobbler cool for 15-20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.
Notes
For an added twist, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the cobbler before serving to enhance the flavors.
This dessert is best enjoyed warm when the chocolate sauce is at its gooey, rich best.
Nutrition
Calories: 450 kcal per serving
This Chocolate Cobbler is sure to become a family favorite with its irresistible layers of chocolatey goodness!