If you’re a fan of impossibly gooey, deeply chocolatey desserts that are as fun to make as they are to eat, Chocolate Cobbler is about to become your new obsession. Imagine a warm, fudgy cake with a luscious chocolate sauce bubbling underneath, all scooped straight from the pan. This old-fashioned Southern treat is pure comfort with every bite, and it’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary night into a celebration. With simple pantry staples and just a few steps, you can bake up a Chocolate Cobbler that’ll wow your family and friends every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Chocolate Cobbler recipe plays a key role, from the flour that forms the tender cake to the cocoa powder that brings the irresistible chocolate flavor. The best part is, you probably already have everything on hand—just gather these simple ingredients and get ready for magic!
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cobbler’s soft, cake-like top.
- Baking powder: This helps the cobbler rise and creates a light texture.
- Salt: Just a touch balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake layer and balances the cocoa’s richness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Brings deep, aromatic chocolate flavor to both batter and sauce.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and richness to the batter for a tender crumb.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Gives the cobbler a buttery, decadent taste.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, fragrant notes that round out the chocolate.
- Brown sugar (packed): Creates a caramel-like undertone in the gooey chocolate sauce.
- More unsweetened cocoa powder (for topping): Intensifies the chocolatey sauce that forms beneath the cake.
- Hot water: The secret to the molten sauce—just pour it on and let the oven do the rest.
- Vanilla ice cream (optional): The dreamy finishing touch for serving, melting beautifully into the warm cobbler.
How to Make Chocolate Cobbler
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to bake up your Chocolate Cobbler. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. This helps the cobbler release easily and ensures you get every last bit of gooey goodness.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of the cocoa powder. This step guarantees the leavening and chocolate are evenly distributed, so every bite is tender and chocolatey.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, then stir until a smooth batter forms. Don’t overmix—just blend until the batter is combined and luscious. This mixture forms the cakey top layer of your Chocolate Cobbler.
Step 4: Spread the Batter
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, then spread it out evenly with a spatula. Don’t worry if it looks a bit thick; it will puff up beautifully in the oven.
Step 5: Add the Cocoa-Brown Sugar Topping
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and remaining 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter. This is the magic ingredient that creates that dreamy, molten chocolate sauce underneath as the cobbler bakes.
Step 6: Pour the Hot Water (But Don’t Stir!)
Carefully pour the hot water over the entire surface of the cobbler. It might feel strange not to stir it in, but trust the process—this is what makes the signature gooey sauce form beneath the cake layer.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is set and the edges look baked through. You’ll notice a bubbling chocolate sauce underneath. Let your Chocolate Cobbler cool for about 10 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly and it’s easy to scoop.
How to Serve Chocolate Cobbler
Garnishes
The classic way to finish off Chocolate Cobbler is with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm cobbler and cold, creamy ice cream is pure dessert bliss. For extra flair, you can sprinkle on a little shaved chocolate, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a few fresh berries for color and freshness.
Side Dishes
This rich dessert shines brightest all on its own, but if you want to create a full dessert spread, serve Chocolate Cobbler with a bowl of fresh strawberries or raspberries on the side. A few crisp cookies, like shortbread or biscotti, make a lovely textural contrast as well.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Chocolate Cobbler the centerpiece of a dessert bar by serving it in individual ramekins for a dinner party, or scoop it into fancy glasses layered with ice cream and whipped cream for a parfait-style treat. For a cozy family night, just bring the whole baking dish to the table and let everyone dig in family-style!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your Chocolate Cobbler covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it chills, but a quick warm-up brings it right back to gooey perfection.
Freezing
Want to save some for another time? Portion the cooled Chocolate Cobbler into airtight containers and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge or gently in the microwave before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave individual servings for about 30 seconds, or warm larger portions in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes, covered with foil. Add a splash of milk if the sauce needs loosening, and enjoy that melty, chocolatey magic all over again.
FAQs
Can I use a different size baking dish?
Yes! An 8×8-inch dish is ideal for a thick, saucy cobbler, but you can use a 9-inch round or similar-sized pan. Just keep in mind that the baking time may vary slightly—check for doneness at the 30-minute mark.
What happens if I stir after adding the hot water?
It’s important not to stir after pouring the hot water. Stirring disrupts the layering that creates the signature sauce underneath. For the best Chocolate Cobbler texture, resist the urge and let the oven work its magic.
Can I make Chocolate Cobbler dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the milk for your favorite plant-based alternative (like almond or oat milk), and use melted coconut oil or vegan butter in place of regular butter. The results are still super gooey and delicious.
How can I make the chocolate flavor even richer?
For an extra-deep chocolate experience, use dark or Dutch-process cocoa powder instead of regular, and add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter before baking. The result is even more decadent!
Is Chocolate Cobbler the same as chocolate pudding cake?
They’re very similar! Both feature a cake-like layer on top and a molten chocolate sauce underneath. Chocolate Cobbler is often associated with Southern American comfort food and tends to be a bit saucier and more rustic in presentation.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like scooping into a warm, bubbling Chocolate Cobbler fresh from the oven. Whether you’re sharing with friends, spoiling your family, or treating yourself on a quiet night in, this dessert is sure to bring smiles and requests for seconds. Give it a try—you just might find your new signature sweet!
Print
Chocolate Cobbler Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Chocolate Cobbler is a delightfully gooey, old-fashioned dessert featuring a rich chocolate sauce that forms beneath a tender cake batter. Simple to prepare and baked to perfection, it’s perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk
- â…“ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups hot water
Optional
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the whole milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture until you get a smooth batter without any lumps.
- Pour batter into dish: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine the packed brown sugar and ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter in the baking dish.
- Add hot water: Carefully pour 1 ½ cups of hot water over the top of the batter and topping mixture without stirring. This will create the signature chocolate sauce underneath as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is set and a rich chocolate sauce has formed beneath the cake layer.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cobbler to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Spoon into bowls and enjoy warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream for a creamy contrast.
Notes
- Do not stir after adding the hot water to allow the chocolate sauce to form properly underneath the cake.
- For a deeper chocolate flavor, substitute regular cocoa powder with dark unsweetened cocoa powder.
- You can serve this dessert warm or at room temperature depending on preference.
- Vanilla ice cream is optional but recommended for a perfect balance of warm and cold textures.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
