If you love chocolate, you have to try my grandmother’s Southern Chocolate Cobbler! It’s rich, gooey, and easy to make. Think a brownie-ish top with a silky, fudgy sauce below it—much like a lava cake, only without all the fuss. It is perfect for those times when you want to treat yourself to a comforting dessert or impress your guests without doing too much work. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you will have a dessert that you will find hard to resist!

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: This recipe is just mix, pour, and bake—no special steps or equipment required!
Rich Chocolate Flavor: This cobbler is made with cocoa powder in both the batter and the topping, so it has a pronounced chocolate flavor, even for chocolate lovers.
Decadent Sauce: What’s magical about this cobbler is that, as it bakes, it creates its own gooey chocolate sauce beneath a delicate cake-like topping.
Perfect for Large Groups: This recipe is baked in a 9×13-inch baking dish, making it the perfect option for family meals, potlucks, or when you want to impress your guests.

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Ingredients you’ll need:

To make this classic Southern treat, you will need:

For the Batter

Butter: Salted butter works better for me, but use unsalted if that’s what you have.
Granulated Sugar: Or coconut sugar or any sweetener of your preference.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This contributes a deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Self-Rising Flour: Without self-rising flour, you can go with all-purpose + baking powder + a dash of salt.
Milk: Whole milk is best, but low-fat, oat milk, or buttermilk are also fine.
Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla adds delicious depth of flavor.

For the Topping

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens up the decadent chocolate sauce.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is what brings the fudgy, chocolatey layer.
Hot Water: This is what makes the ooey-gooey sauce that is under the cobbler.

How to Make Chocolate Cobbler

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Butter

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Add the butter to a 9×13-inch baking dish and put it in the oven to melt while the oven preheats.
Once melted, carefully remove the dish from the oven and set it aside.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large bowl, combine:
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Stir until the mixture is smooth and incorporated.

Step 3: Assemble the Cobbler

Pour the batter over the melted butter in the baking dish.
DO NOT STIR—the batter should be floating on top of the butter.

Step 4: Make the Topping

In a separate bowl, mix together:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.

Step 5: Add Hot Water

Slowly pour 3 cups of boiling water over the sugar and cocoa topping.
DO NOT STIR AGAIN—this is critical for creating the cobbler’s signature sauce.

Step 6: Bake

Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top has set and forms a slight crust.
The bottom will still be slightly loose and saucy, and that’s exactly what you want!

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cobbler cool for 15 to 20 minutes so the sauce can thicken a little before serving.
Serve the cobbler warm in bowls, topping each with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recommendations for Serving

Classic with Vanilla Ice Cream: You cannot go wrong with a scoop of cold ice cream and a dish of hot cobbler.
Whipped Cream: A dollop of homemade whipped cream makes each rich bite feel airy.
Fresh Berries: For a touch of tartness to offset the sweetness, try piling fresh raspberries or strawberries on top.
Drizzle of Caramel: Drizzle some caramel sauce over the cobbler, which is topped with ice cream, for that extra indulgent touch.

Guidance on How to Store and Prepare Meals

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
For reheating, microwave single servings for 20 to 30 seconds, or until warmed through.

Make-Ahead Tips

This cobbler is best when freshly made, but the batter and topping mixture can be prepared ahead.
Refrigerate them separately for up to a day, and simply combine them when ready to bake.

Freezing

The baked cobbler can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to two months.
To serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes.

This Southern Chocolate Cobbler is that kind of recipe that warms your heart and has everyone coming back for more. I hope you enjoy it a fraction as much as we do!

Chocolate Cobbler

This rich and gooey chocolate cobbler features a fudgy, brownie-like top with a luscious, chocolate sauce underneath. It’s perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making it an irresistible dessert for chocolate lovers.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Course Comfort Food, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter 113 g
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 297 g
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 16 g
2 cups self-rising flour 226 g
1 cup whole milk 227 g
2 tsp vanilla extract 9 g
2 cups granulated sugar 396 g, for topping
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 42 g, for topping
3 cups boiling water 681 g, for topping
as needed vanilla ice cream for serving, optional but recommended

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the butter into a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it in the oven to melt while the oven heats. Once the butter is melted, carefully remove the dish and set it aside.
In a large 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 the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Spoon the batter over the melted butter in the baking dish. DO NOT STIR—the batter should float on top of the butter.
In a separate bowl, mix together 2 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.
Slowly pour 3 cups of boiling water over the sugar and cocoa topping. Again, DO NOT STIR—this is crucial for creating the cobbler’s signature sauce.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is set and has a slight crust. The bottom will still be a little loose and saucy.
Let the cobbler cool for 15-20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Notes

For an extra indulgent treat, add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the warm cobbler before serving. This cobbler is best served warm so the sauce is gooey and rich.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcal

Keyword chocolate cobbler, cobbler, easy dessert, gooey chocolate dessert, self-saucing pudding

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Southern Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

This easy-to-make chocolate cobbler bakes into a delightfully fudgy pudding-like base with a tender, cake-like topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comforting treat!