Chocolate Cobbler

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.

Chocolate cobbler with pecans in a white baking dish.


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

Ingerdients needed to make chocolate cobbler.
  • 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

Step by step photos showing how to make chocolate cobbler.

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!

Chocolate cobbler with vanilla ice cream in a white bowl.

Recipe FAQs

What size pan do I need for this?

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.

Can this recipe be doubled?

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.

Can this be made without the nuts?

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.

Chocolate cobbler in a bowl with melted vanilla ice cream.

More Easy Desserts

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section below!

Chocolate Cobbler

4.60 from 10 votes
By: Aimee
This classic, southern Chocolate Cobbler recipe has a rich, fudgy sauce topped with a decadent brownie-like topping!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

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
Save this Recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

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

Calories: 302kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 186mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 38g
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Looking for an indulgent chocolate dessert? Authentic southern Chocolate Cobbler is every chocolate lover’s dream.



Avatar photo

About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

Learn How To Become a Better Home Baker
Sign up for the Shugary Sweets FREE Email Course Today—soon you’ll say, "I made it from scratch!"

Categories:


Posted on May 15, 2023

Comments & Reviews

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 5 stars
    Wow! What a fantastic flavor for cobbler. I used to think cobblers were only for fruit, but this proved me wrong.

  5. 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!

    1. 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 🙂

  6. 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! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating