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Southern chocolate cobbler served with vanilla ice cream in a white bowl.
Daniel

Southern Chocolate Cobbler

This decadent Southern Chocolate Cobbler features a rich chocolate cake-like batter that magically forms a gooey chocolate sauce underneath while baking, creating the perfect combination of cake and pudding in one delicious dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 325
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Batter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup butter melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 3/4 cup hot water almost boiling

Equipment

  • 9x9-inch baking dish
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
Make the Batter
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. The batter will be somewhat thick.
  3. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Prepare the Topping
  1. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder for the topping.
  2. Sprinkle the sugar and cocoa mixture evenly over the batter in the baking dish.
  3. Carefully pour the hot water over the entire mixture. DO NOT STIR - this creates the magical pudding effect.
Baking
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until the top is set but still slightly soft. The center should be slightly jiggly but not liquid.
  2. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving. As it cools, the cake will continue to set up and the sauce will thicken slightly.
Serving
  1. Serve warm, spooning the gooey chocolate sauce from the bottom over the cake. For an extra treat, top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

The magic of this cobbler happens during baking - the batter rises to the top while the sugar, cocoa, and water sink to create a rich, pudding-like sauce on the bottom. For best results, serve warm the same day it's made. Leftovers can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days and reheated in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving.