This classic, southern Chocolate Cobbler recipe has a rich, fudgy sauce topped with a decadent brownie-like topping! On its own or topped with vanilla ice cream, this easy dessert is chocolate heaven.
Chocolate is my love language. From chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream frosting, and baked chocolate donuts, to our easy no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies there is something to love for everyone.
Why this Recipe Works
Cobbler isn’t just for fruit! Somewhere between a molten cake and a fudgy brownie, Chocolate Cobbler delivers rich cocoa flavor with the satisfying crunch of pecans on top.
If you’ve ever eaten an apple cobbler, you’ll know that the bottom of the dish is filled with whatever fruit you enjoy. Then it’s topped with the cobbler (the cake, the bread, the biscuit like topping). Right?
Well, today’s Chocolate Cobbler is just like that. The rich, chocolate fudge sauce on the bottom is topped with the chocolate cobbler (brownie-like) topping! This is sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings.
What’s the secret? Before baking, hot water is added on top! The water steams and seals the other layers together while excess moisture cooks off.
The finished dessert is rich, fudgy and soft, but firm enough to scoop into individual portions and top with some cold vanilla ice cream!
Ingredient Notes
- Butter – Everything good begins with butter! I always use an unsalted butter, that way I can control the amount of salt in my food.
- Chocolate milk – I use whole chocolate milk or 2% chocolate milk. If needed, you could substitute a nondairy version!
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Be sure to use unsweetened baking cocoa, NOT hot chocolate mix. You’ll need cocoa powder for both for the chocolate sauce layer and the brownie layer.
- Pecan halves or pieces – You’ll love that sweet and salty flavor the pecans give to this dish, adding in a true southern touch!
Step by Step Instructions
Make the first layer. Mix together the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate milk in a bowl.
Add to pan. Pour this mixture over the butter in your pan but do not stir.
Make the chocolate topping. Combine your sugars and cocoa in a bowl. Sprinkle this all over the top of the cobbler. Sprinkle with pecans.
Bake. Pour your hot water over the top (DO NOT STIR). Carefully put the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. The center will be jiggly, that’s okay!
Remove from oven and cool about 15 minutes. Serve with easy no churn vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
For best results, use a square 8-inch or 9-inch baking dish for this Chocolate Cobbler recipe. A 2 quart casserole dish will also work.
Yes! I haven’t tested the recipe doubled and baked in a larger pan but it’s so easy to double and distribute between two pans or a 13×9 dish.
Sure. The pecans add that authentic southern flair and a touch of saltiness to balance the intense sweetness, so I always use them. This cobbler would still taste delicious without them if you need a nut free dessert.
More Easy Desserts
- Apple Crumble
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Peach Cobbler
- Blueberry Crisp
- Instant Pot Cherry Cobbler
- Instant Pot Apple Crisp
- Peach Crisp
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Chocolate Cobbler
Ingredients
For the first layer:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup chocolate milk
For the top layer:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cup hot water
- ¼ cup pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter and pour it into the bottom of an 8-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, for the first layer, combine the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate milk. Mix just until blended. Drop into the baking dish, DO NOT STIR into the butter.
- For the top layer, combine sugar and cocoa in a bowl. Sprinkle over cobbler. Sprinkle with pecans, optional. Pour hot water over the top (DO NOT STIR).
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, the center will be quite jiggly. Allow to cool about 15 minutes then serve warm with vanilla ice cream! ENJOY.
Notes
- For best results, use a square 8-inch or 9-inch baking dish for this Chocolate Cobbler recipe. A 2 quart casserole dish will also work.
- I haven’t tested the recipe doubled and baked in a larger pan but it’s so easy to double and distribute between two pans or a 13×9 dish.
- The pecans add that authentic southern flair and a touch of saltiness to balance the intense sweetness, so I always use them. This cobbler would still taste delicious without them if you need a nut free dessert.
Video
Nutrition
Looking for an indulgent chocolate dessert? Authentic southern Chocolate Cobbler is every chocolate lover’s dream.
Wow!! This is a keeper.
Thank you!
Need an opinion-want to make for my Dr. visit as I always bring them 2 homemade desserts. There are 48 people and no way can I also bring ice cream. Can it be made day before and would canned whipped cream suffice instead of ice cream and should it be brought as room temperature or cold. Do not think that many can use micro to warm.
Chocolate cobbler might not be the best treat in this scenario! Try my gooey dark chocolate brownies instead 🙂
We made this last weekend when our family and grandkids were at the house. In fact we made two of them. One was completely gone after supper and the other one was taken home by our kids and grandkids. It was GREAT !!! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I’m ALWAYS up for a big fudgy chocolate dessert and this looks like chocolate heaven! 🙂 Pecan halves are a great idea, and thank you for all the tips! Planning on making this for a pot luck.
Wow! What a fantastic flavor for cobbler. I used to think cobblers were only for fruit, but this proved me wrong.
I am going to make this for Mother’s day. Can I double the recipe in a 9×13 or should i do 2 separate dishes?
Cant wait to try!
Thanks!
I haven’t doubled it myself, but I think you can double and put in 9×13. If you’re scared to try, then yes, 2 separate dishes. Let me know what you do. ENJOY 🙂
Have u try any other chocolate milk?
Now this is a keeper ! Thank you so much for sharing the beauty !
Made this yesterday and it was so good! Gonna give the rest of it to neighbors today though because I’m headed to Argentina in 2 weeks and I need to fit into my swimsuit! 🙂
So glad that you tried it 🙂