Chocolate lovers rejoice as this southern chocolate cobbler bursts with decadent, gooey goodness that melts in your mouth.
southern kitchens have perfected this irresistible dessert that combines rich chocolate with a magical self-saucing technique.
Every spoonful promises a delightful contrast between a crisp outer layer and a luscious, molten chocolate center.
The recipe captures the essence of classic southern comfort baking with its simple ingredients and extraordinary results.
Warm chocolate pools beneath a tender, crumbly topping create an indulgent experience that feels like a sweet hug from the South.
Serve this mouthwatering dessert and watch as smiles spread across everyone’s faces, eager for another heavenly bite.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Calories: 380 kcal
Servings: 9
Southern Chocolate Cobbler Recipe Ingredients
For Base Ingredients:
Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender texture in the cobbler.
Whole Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind the dry ingredients together smoothly.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the depth of chocolate flavor with its warm, aromatic essence.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate taste and deep brown color to the base.
Self-Rising Flour: Ensures a light, fluffy texture with its built-in leavening agents.
For Sweet Layer Ingredients:
Granulated Sugar: Creates a delightful caramelized layer and adds sweetness to the dessert.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Topping): Intensifies the chocolate flavor and creates a rich, dark topping.
Boiling Water: Helps form a decadent, gooey chocolate sauce during baking.
For Serving:
Vanilla Ice Cream: Provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, rich chocolate cobbler.
Equipment Needed for Chocolate Cobbler Recipe
9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for creating the perfect southern chocolate cobbler.
Large mixing bowl: Needed for blending batter ingredients smoothly.
Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
Whisk or wooden spoon: Perfect for mixing batter and sugar mixture.
Kettle or pot: Required for boiling water to pour over the topping.
Oven mitts: Crucial for safely handling hot baking dish.
How to Make Southern Chocolate Cobbler
Oven Preparation Cozy kitchen vibes start with warming up the oven to a perfect 350°F, creating a welcoming environment for our chocolatey adventure.
Butter Bath Gently melt butter in a spacious baking dish, letting it spread smoothly across the surface and create a golden foundation for our dessert.
Silky Batter Creation Whisk together sugar, cocoa, flour, milk, and vanilla until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, velvety blend that promises deliciousness.
Layered Magic Gracefully pour the batter over the melted butter, allowing them to exist separately like two dance partners waiting to connect.
Sweet Shower Sprinkle a decadent mixture of sugar and cocoa across the top, creating a tantalizing landscape of chocolatey potential.
Water Waterfall Gently cascade boiling water over the entire creation, watching as mysterious layers begin to form beneath the surface.
Baking Transformation Let the oven work its magic for 35-40 minutes, transforming ingredients into a dreamy, gooey chocolate wonderland that will make taste buds dance.
Tips for Gooey Chocolate Cobbler Layers
Play with the baking time to control the cobbler's consistency – shorter bakes mean more pudding-like center, while longer times create a firmer chocolate base.
Swap whole milk with buttermilk or almond milk for subtle flavor variations that add depth to the chocolate profile.
Enhance the dessert with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or crushed nuts like pecans or almonds for extra crunch and richness.
Keep leftover cobbler covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm gently in the microwave before serving to restore that fresh-from-the-oven magic.
Replace self-rising flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1 teaspoon baking powder to maintain the recipe's signature light and gooey texture.
Serving Chocolate Cobbler with Ice Cream
Chocolate Lover's Dream: Serve this decadent cobbler with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, letting the warm chocolate sauce create a dreamy swirl of hot and cold.
Rustic Dessert Delight: Pair with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant Southern-style presentation that enhances the cobbler's rich chocolate flavor.
Coffee Companion Treat: Complement this dessert with a steaming mug of dark roast coffee or rich hot chocolate, creating a perfect after-dinner indulgence that brings out the deep chocolate notes.
Nutty Crunch Topper: Sprinkle some toasted chopped pecans or sliced almonds over the top for added texture and a subtle nutty contrast to the smooth, gooey chocolate base.
Storage Tips for Southern Chocolate Cobbler
Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your Southern Chocolate Cobbler covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freshness matters most during the first two days.
Reheating Magic: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or restore oven-fresh qualities by placing the entire dish in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Gentle warming prevents drying out the delicate dessert.
Freezing Potential: Wrap the cooled cobbler tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Store frozen dessert up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Portion Planning: Cut servings before storing to make future enjoyment easier. Use parchment paper between layers if stacking pieces to prevent sticking. Separate portions help maintain texture and make grab-and-go snacking simple.
Warm Southern chocolate cobbler combines rich cocoa flavors with a gooey chocolate pudding-like center and crisp golden edges. Home cooks can easily create this classic dessert that promises comfort and sweet southern hospitality in every delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups (480 ml) self-rising flour
1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (113 g) butter
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsps vanilla extract
3 cups (720 ml) boiling water
vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Position butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish, allowing it to melt completely during oven warm-up. Remove dish once butter liquefies.
Batter Creation: Whisk granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, self-rising flour, whole milk, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
Layering Foundation: Pour batter gently over melted butter, ensuring it remains undisturbed and creates a distinct layer without intermingling with the butter.
Topping Development: Combine remaining granulated sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder, then evenly scatter across the batter’s surface to create a delicate powdery layer.
Liquid Infusion: Delicately stream boiling water over the sugar-cocoa topping, maintaining separate layers and creating a complex dessert structure.
Baking Process: Transfer dish to oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the top crust sets while preserving a luscious, molten underneath texture.
Resting and Serving: Allow cobbler to rest 15-20 minutes post-baking, enabling flavor integration and slight cooling before presenting this decadent Southern dessert.
Notes
Butter Placement Strategy: Melting butter directly in the baking dish creates a rich, golden base that enhances the cobbler’s bottom layer and prevents sticking.
Batter Pouring Technique: Pour batter gently over melted butter without stirring to create distinctive layers, ensuring a unique texture with a cake-like top and gooey chocolate bottom.
Water Adding Wisdom: Use boiling water carefully to help create a self-saucing effect, transforming the dessert into a luscious chocolate pudding-like consistency during baking.
Resting Ritual: Allow the cobbler to rest 15-20 minutes after baking, which helps stabilize the dessert’s texture and intensifies the chocolate flavor for a more decadent experience.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.