Irresistibly Rich Southern Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

Southern chocolate cobbler weaves magic into every warm, decadent bite of homemade deliciousness.

Chocolate lovers crave this simple dessert that bubbles with rich, molten goodness.

The classic Southern recipe combines pantry staples into an irresistible treat.

Warm chocolate sauce naturally forms underneath a crisp, golden-brown crust during baking.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of soft cake and silky chocolate pudding.

Serve this comforting dessert straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Let this sweet Southern classic become your new favorite dessert that sparks joy at every gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 355 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients That Make Southern Chocolate Cobbler Irresistible

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the chocolate layer, choose unbleached for best texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, delicate base with balanced flavor.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate depth, select high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for intense taste.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and fluffy texture, check freshness for optimal rising.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.
• Milk: Creates moisture and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and contributes to tender, golden texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens chocolate flavor and provides aromatic warmth.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Createsal caramel-like sauce beneath the cobbler, brown sugar adds deeper molasses notes.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate layer and creates luscious sauce.

• Boiling Water: Transforms ingredients into a self-saucing wonder, creating incredible chocolate pudding-like bottom layer.

Tools to Bake a Rich and Gooey Southern Chocolate Cobbler

• 8×8-inch baking dish: perfect for creating a delightful chocolate dessert with even layers.
• Medium mixing bowls: essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: helps blend ingredients without lumps and creates a silky batter.
• Measuring cups and spoons: ensures precise ingredient quantities for consistent results.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: great for spreading batter and mixing ingredients evenly.
• Kettle or pot: needed for boiling water to create the signature sauce layer.

How to Layer and Bake a Southern Chocolate Cobbler

• Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350F and give your baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Create the Chocolate Base

Grab a mixing bowl and combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Pour in milk, melted butter, and vanilla, then whisk until the mixture becomes silky smooth. Spread this delightful batter evenly across your prepared dish.

• Sprinkle the Sweet Topping

In another bowl, blend granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder. Shower thisal mixture over your chocolate base, making sure it’s distributed evenly.

• Pour the Secret Liquid

Gently cascade boiling water across the entire surface. Don’t stir – let the happen naturally.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide your dish into the oven and let it bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top looks set and firm, but underneath remains wonderfully gooey.

• Indulge and Enjoy

Allow the cobbler to rest and cool for about 10 minutes. Scoop into bowls and crown with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream or fluffy whipped cream.

Tips to Deepen the Flavor of Southern Chocolate Cobbler

• Ensure your cocoa powder is fresh and high-quality for maximum chocolate flavor depth.
• Prepare the cobbler up to a day in advance and reheat gently before serving for enhanced flavor melding.
• Swap milk with almond or coconut milk and use dairy-free butter alternative for a lactose-free version.
• Replace regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make this dessert celiac-friendly without losing texture.
• Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or add a dash of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate experience and create a more complex taste profile.

How to Serve Southern Chocolate Cobbler with Ice Cream

• Cozy Comfort Companion: Pair this warm chocolate cobbler with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast that melts in your mouth.
• Decadent Dessert Partner: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a light dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the richness and create a stunning presentation.
• Coffee Lover's Dream: Serve alongside a steaming cup of dark roast coffee or rich espresso to complement the deep chocolate flavors and enhance the dessert's warmth.
• Fruit Fusion Twist: Garnish with fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries to add a tangy brightness that cuts through the cobbler's intense chocolate profile.

Storage Tips for Gooey Leftover Southern Chocolate Cobbler

• Store leftover chocolate cobbler in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Gently reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm the entire dish in a preheated 325F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Add a fresh scoop of vanilla ice cream after reheating for extra deliciousness.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire cobbler securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture and flavor restoration.
• Prepare the cobbler batter and topping ingredients separately, storing them in the refrigerator up to 24 hours in advance. When ready to bake, assemble and follow original recipe instructions for a fresh, warm dessert with minimal prep time.

FAQs

• What makes this dessert different from a regular chocolate cake?

This Southern Chocolate Cobbler creates its own sauce during baking, with a unique cake-like top and a gooey chocolate layer underneath, unlike traditional cakes that are uniform throughout.

• Can I use different types of sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute brown sugar with raw sugar or coconut sugar, but keep the proportions the same to maintain the recipe’s texture and sweetness profile.

• Is this dessert considered a beginner-friendly recipe?

Absolutely! The recipe requires basic mixing techniques and simple ingredients, making it an easy dessert for home bakers with minimal baking experience.

• Why do I pour boiling water over the batter without stirring?

The hot water helps create the signature sauce layer by interacting with the dry ingredients, creating a self-saucing effect during the baking process, which gives the cobbler its distinctive texture.

Gooey Southern Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Molten Southern Chocolate Cobbler brings nostalgic comfort straight from family kitchens across the American South. Warm chocolate pudding beneath a crisp cake-like topping creates an irresistible dessert serving pure homestyle deliciousness you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) boiling water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (30 g) cocoa powder
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) cocoa powder
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 2 tsps (10 ml) baking powder
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Dry Mixture: Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and lump-free.
3. Batter Formation: Pour milk, melted butter, and vanilla into the dry ingredients, stirring until a smooth, silky batter emerges with no visible flour streaks.
4. Base Layer: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform foundation for the cobbler.
5. Sweet Topping: Mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder in a separate bowl, creating a rich, chocolatey sugar blend.
6. Layering: Generously sprinkle the sugar mixture over the batter, ensuring complete coverage without disrupting the underlying layer.
7. Moisture Infusion: Carefully pour boiling water across the entire surface, allowing it to naturally settle without disturbing the sugar topping.
8. Baking Process: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, looking for a set top and a decadent, sauce-like bottom layer.
9. Finishing Touch: Remove from the oven and let the cobbler rest for 10 minutes, allowing the layers to stabilize and develop a rich, complex texture.
10. Serving: Dish out warm portions, garnishing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Notes

• Prevent Lumpy Batter: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency, which guarantees an even texture throughout the dessert.
• Control Moisture Balance: Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a light, tender crumb and prevent a dense, heavy texture in the final dish.
• Precise Water Pouring: Pour boiling water gently and evenly across the surface without disturbing the batter layers, creating the signature gooey chocolate sauce underneath.
• Strategic Serving Temperature: Let the cobbler rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce and cake layers to set properly, enhancing the overall flavor and texture experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 355
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 122 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 59 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg