Description
Southern Chocolate Cobbler is a classic Southern dessert featuring a rich, gooey chocolate sauce formed beneath a tender cocoa-flavored cake layer. This easy-to-make cobbler combines simple pantry ingredients and pecans for a delightful texture, finished with an optional scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect warm treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Topping Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
Serving Suggestion
- Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder. Stir these dry ingredients together until evenly mixed. Then add the milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract, mixing until thick batter forms. If using, fold in the chopped pecans for added texture.
- Spread Batter in Baking Dish: Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish thoroughly. Spread the prepared batter evenly across the bottom of the dish, ensuring a smooth, uniform layer.
- Prepare and Sprinkle Dry Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Sprinkle this dry topping mixture evenly over the batter in the baking dish. Important: do not stir after sprinkling.
- Add Boiling Water: Slowly pour 1 1/2 cups of boiling water gently over the top of the dry mixture. Be careful not to stir or mix; this step is key to achieving the signature cobbler effect with gooey chocolate sauce beneath the cake layer.
- Bake the Cobbler: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The top should look set like cake, but underneath a bubbly, rich sauce will have formed.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cobbler from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream for a classic comforting dessert experience.
Notes
- This cobbler forms its own rich chocolate sauce on the bottom while baking, so resist stirring after pouring the boiling water.
- Chopped pecans add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor, but they are optional.
- Serve warm for best flavor; topping with vanilla ice cream elevates the dessert to a creamy, indulgent delight.
- If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar in the topping mix slightly.
- Use freshly boiled water for proper sauce formation under the cake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
