Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! When the craving for something truly decadent and comforting hits, there’s one dessert that always comes to mind: Chocolate Cobbler. This isn’t your average fruit cobbler. It’s a magical dessert where a simple chocolate cake batter bakes on top of a sweet, cocoa-infused sauce. As it cooks, the cake rises to the top, leaving a rich, gooey, and fudgy layer underneath. The result is a warm, gooey, and absolutely irresistible dessert that is perfect for a chilly night or a sweet weekend treat.
This recipe is a true classic, and for good reason. It’s incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and fuss, but the result is nothing short of spectacular. I first tried this in a small southern cafe and was blown away by the contrasting textures and flavors. You get a tender, cakey layer on top and a rich, hot fudge-like sauce on the bottom, all in one glorious bite. It’s a classic comfort food that’s an easy and decadent dessert!
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love most about this Chocolate Cobbler is the surprise and delight it brings. The magic happens right in the oven, and the end result is a warm, saucy dessert that you can serve right out of the pan. It’s the perfect dessert for a family dinner because it feels so special, but it’s actually so easy to make. The combination of the rich chocolate flavor and the warm, gooey texture is pure comfort. And, let’s be honest, nothing beats a warm dessert with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream melting on top.
This recipe is a great alternative to brownies or chocolate cake when you want something a little different. It’s a nostalgic treat that will take you back to simpler times. It’s also a wonderfully forgiving recipe, so it’s perfect for new bakers. For another great crowd-pleasing dessert, you might also like my This Big Family Banana Pudding is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd.
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Hot Fudge Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 3/4 cups boiling water
Swaps and Notes
- Cocoa Powder: Use good quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
- Milk: Whole milk works best for a richer flavor, but you can use 2% or even a non-dairy milk like almond milk in a pinch.
- Sugar: You can use a mix of granulated and brown sugar in the sauce for a more caramel-like flavor.
- Baking Pan: A 9×9 inch baking dish is perfect for this recipe, but a similar-sized cast iron skillet also works wonderfully.
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Spread the Batter: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Make the Hot Fudge Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter in the baking dish.
- Add Boiling Water: This is the magic step! Carefully pour the 1 3/4 cups of boiling water directly over the sugar and cocoa powder mixture. DO NOT STIR. The water will seem like it’s going to ruin everything, but trust the process.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cakey top is set and the sauce is thick and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. The cobbler is best served warm, spooned directly from the dish into a bowl.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Stir the Sauce: The most important rule for this recipe is to not stir the boiling water after you pour it over the cake batter. This is what creates the distinct cakey layer on top and the gooey fudge sauce on the bottom.
- Use Boiling Water: Make sure the water is actively boiling when you add it. This helps activate the cocoa and sugar to form the sauce.
- Let It Rest: The cobbler will be very soupy when it first comes out of the oven. Letting it rest for 10-15 minutes allows the sauce to thicken and become perfectly gooey.
- Check for Doneness: The top should be set and spring back a little when you touch it. A toothpick inserted into the cakey layer will come out mostly clean, but the toothpick will be covered in gooey fudge if you go to the bottom of the pan.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Chocolate Cobbler is best served warm with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. The contrast between the hot cobbler and the cold ice cream is a pure delight. A cold glass of milk is also a great pairing.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Please note: This is an approximation and can vary based on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 400
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
This is a rich dessert, so it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Leftover chocolate cobbler can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can warm it gently in the microwave or in a 300°F (150°C) oven until it’s heated through. The sauce will thicken in the fridge, but it will become gooey again once it’s warmed up.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you’re a fan of rich, chocolatey desserts, you’ll love some of my other recipes. For a classic that’s always a hit, try my recipe for The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made and I’ve Made a Lot. For another easy and nostalgic treat, you can’t go wrong with my recipe for These Old School No-Bake Cookies Never Fail Me and I’ve Made Them 100 Times. And for something a little different and fun, my This Unicorn Poke Cake Became My Favorite Party Trick is a showstopper!
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cobbler is a recipe that truly delivers on its promise of a warm, gooey, and deeply satisfying dessert. It’s simple to make, but the results are so special. It’s the perfect way to cap off a great meal or to simply treat yourself.
I hope you give this recipe a try and that it brings a little bit of magic to your kitchen. Let me know what you think in the comments below! And don’t forget to follow me for more delicious recipes. Happy baking!
Classic Chocolate Cobbler: A Gooey, Decadent, and Easy Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 2 cups of sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of cocoa powder.
- Sprinkle the sugar and cocoa mixture over the batter in the baking dish. Do not stir.
- Pour the boiling water over the top of the dish. Again, do not stir.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the cake part comes out clean.
- Let it cool slightly before serving. It will be gooey at the bottom, enjoy!
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