Calling for only six ingredients, this Southern chocolate cobbler couldn’t be easier to make! I’m sure you’ve tried fruit cobbler recipes before, but this chocolate one offers a change of pace.
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Rich and fudgy, this indulgent Southern chocolate cobbler dessert is sure to impress everyone who is lucky enough to taste it. It’s incredible with whipped cream or, my favorite, vanilla ice cream! And so is this keto apple crisp!
It is a dream to make if you’re looking for something to whip up quickly and easily. Some ingredients are mixed, while the others are layered on top and then you simply bake it in the oven.
When you start to smell the incredible aroma, that means it’s nearly done, so grab bowls, spoons, and vanilla ice cream and get ready to be amazed at the flavor of this wonderful cobbler.
I also like to bake this Boston cream pie cake when chocolate cravings hit. I just love the rich chocolate ganache topping.
Main Ingredients
There are only 6 ingredients in this easy recipe along with water and whatever you are planning to serve with it. These are the main ingredients needed:
- Cocoa powder: For a perfect chocolate flavor. Use unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe for the best results. Cocoa gives a rich taste to the cobbler. You might want to add a handful of chocolate chips (any type) for an extra chocolate appeal!
- Sugar: To add sweetness. Cobbler recipes are famed for being sweet and delicious which is why sugar goes into the mixture. Plain white granulated sugar is fine to use here. You could substitute brown if you prefer, but the flavor won’t be exactly the same. There is no reason you couldn’t use a sweetener instead. Just check the packaging to see how much sweetener to sub for the sugar.
- Butter: To grease the baking dish and add richness. Butter is a popular ingredient in many dessert recipes and it has a dual purpose in this one. The butter greases the dish so it won’t stick and it also adds a rich, satisfying flavor.
- Vanilla: For a contrasting flavor. A few drops of vanilla extract complement the chocolate taste of this dessert. If liked, you could use a different flavor extract instead, such as almond, coconut, or hazelnut extract.
Instructions Overview
You don’t need any special equipment, just the ingredients themselves and a baking dish. First of all, you will melt the butter in the baking dish in the oven. Combine some sugar, milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, and flour, and then add this on top of the melted butter.
The next step is to add more sugar and cocoa powder on top and then some water. It’s important not to stir the ingredients so you end up with a crisp, chocolate cobbler topping over the fudgy cake underneath. It's amazing served warm from the oven!
Common Questions
A lot of people wonder about the differences between cobblers and pies and there is a difference. Although both are equally delicious, pie has a bottom crust while cobbler doesn't. The top of a cobbler is typically a biscuit dough mixture instead of the pastry found on pies. Oh, and a crisp has a streusel or oat topping! You can mix and match fillings, crusts and toppings, converting a cobbler recipe into a pie recipe or a crisp into a cobbler. The more you make such recipes the more fun you'll have experimenting with new take on classic favorites!
Some cobblers are thick-crusted and deep-dish with a top and bottom layer of crust, especially those in the South. However, this dessert is known all over the US as well as the UK and they aren't always thick-crusted or deep-dish unless specifically described as a Southern cobbler.
If you're making a fruit cobbler with canned pie filling or canned fruit, the filling can be gummier and gooier than if you were to make a fruit-free Southern chocolate cobbler. If you've experienced this type of issue in the past when making cobblers with fruit, try this chocolate version instead. It should come out perfect and not gooey at all!
Yes, you can make it ahead. To warm it back up, give it about 10 minutes in the oven at 275°F.
Leftover cobbler (not that there is likely to be any!) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it in an airtight container.
It will lose some of its flavor and texture if frozen. However, if you do want to freeze it, wrap it in plastic wrap and then foil. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
A generous scoop of ice cream is the perfect pairing with many southern recipes and this cobbler is no exception. If you prefer whipped cream, that is also great.
When the top is firmly set and the sauce is bubbling up the sides, it is done. There are no eggs in the recipe so you don’t have to worry about a runny middle. Over-baking will make the center of it less fudgy and more cakelike.
Chopnotch Tips
- Sift the flour through a sieve before using it, to ensure your cobbler comes out lump-free.
- For maximum moisture and richness, use full-fat butter and milk.
- Using a shallow baking dish? Put it on top of a baking pan to catch any sauce that bubbles over the top.
- Feel free to add any other ingredients you like. Chopped caramel candies, white chocolate chips, or walnut halves would be nice in there.
- To know when it is perfectly baked, check if the top is dry and has some cracks, while the edges should have tiny bubbling fudge sauce.
You will love not only how easy this southern chocolate cobbler is to make, but how incredible and rich it tastes. This recipe is a keeper!
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Let us know what you think! Give this recipe a rating in the comments section below.
Recipe
How to Make
Southern Chocolate Cobbler
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter
- 3 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups water, boiling
- vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Melt butter in a baking dish in the oven preheated to 350°F.
- Mix 1 ½ cups sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, milk, flour, and vanilla extract in a bowl until well combined, and then pour it into the baking dish on top of the melted butter. Do not stir.
- Mix 2 cups sugar and ½ cup cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Pour this mixture into the baking dish on top of the cobbler batter. Do not stir.
- Pour the boiling water on top. Do not stir.
- Cook in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes. Serve with ice cream and enjoy!
Notes
- Sift the flour through a sieve before using it, to ensure your cobbler comes out lump-free.
- For maximum moisture and richness, use full-fat butter and milk.
- Using a shallow baking dish? Put it on top of a baking pan to catch any sauce that bubbles over the top.
- Feel free to add any other ingredients you like. Chopped caramel candies, white chocolate chips, or walnut halves would be nice in there.
- To know when it is perfectly baked, check if the top is dry and has some cracks, while the edges should have tiny bubbling fudge sauce.
I had this dessert years ago and I loved it. I’m so glad I found the recipe here. I’m making it for my chocolate lovers today for the Chiefs game, and you’re absolutely right. I had all the ingredients in my cabinet. (That’s a great big woo hoo!) The game in in the afternoon today, so I’m shooting for halftime early supper with homemade pasta, salad, hot bread, and this beauty of a dessert with vanilla ice cream. It’s fall, and it is a bit on the heavy side, but hey, it’s football, we will yell off those calories, and it is sure to be a hit with my grown kids and their spouses. Yeah for easy desserts, football, wonderful Sundays and beautiful fall days. I love this time of year. Thanks for posting this….
That sounds fabulous, Debi! I hope everyone loved it!
Easy to make and delicioso!!!
Thank you for the feedback. Glad you loved it!
Sounds delicious……will definitely make.
But what size baking dish for 1x recipe? Unless I missed it, I didn’t see a size.
Hi Marcia, you can use a 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking dish for this recipe. Let me know how it turned out!
Made it for Mother’s Day - yummy!
Thanks for the feedback, Greg! Hope you and mom loved it!