Chocolate Cobbler

With its gooey center, brownie-like top, and a warm, rich sauce at the bottom, this Easy Chocolate Cobbler Recipe is a dream come true for chocolate lovers! Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just because you need a little chocolate goodness in your life, this decadent dessert will hit the spot every time!

An image of a plate of chocolate cobbler with ice cream.

Old-fashioned Chocolate Cobbler has roots in classic southern cobbler recipes, but instead of fruit, it’s all about the chocolate! The end result is a moist chocolate cake that’s like a mix between a chocolate pudding cake and a molten lava cake, with the fudge sauce forming at the bottom of the baking dish. This gooey dessert is a favorite for chocolate lovers and an easy recipe that delivers rich, chocolatey goodness with every bite!

This gooey Chocolate Cobbler is incredibly easy to whip up with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The recipe doesn’t require any fancy techniques, making it perfect for busy nights or last-minute desserts. This decadent chocolate dessert is perfect for a cozy family night and always a huge hit at special occasions!

Craving more cobbler creations? Don’t miss out on my irresistable recipes for Peach Cobbler Cheesecake, Old-Fashioned Blueberry Cobbler, Southern Blackberry Cobbler Ice Cream, Peach Cobbler Pound Cake, and Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler!

Why We Love This Recipe

This recipe is incredibly easy to make, using simple ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, and butter, so no need to run out for anything fancy.
It’s the perfect balance of textures, with a crispy brownie-like top and a gooey, molten bottom that turns into a rich chocolate sauce.

An overhead image of a chocolate cobbler in a square baking dish with a spoon in it.

An overhead image of servings of chocolate cobbler with vanilla ice cream on plate.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

All-purpose flour – Forms the base of the cobbler batter, giving it structure and fluffiness. You can swap with self-rising flour, but reduce the baking powder and salt.
Baking powder – Helps the cobbler rise, creating that perfect, light texture.
Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Granulated sugar – Sweetens both the batter and the delicious sauce that forms during baking.
Cocoa powder – Regular or dark cocoa powder works here, adding that rich, chocolatey goodness.
Salted butter – Adds moisture and richness to the cobbler, giving it a buttery taste.
Milk – Helps mix the dry ingredients and creates a smooth, pourable batter.
Pure vanilla extract – Brings warmth and enhances all the flavors.
Semisweet chocolate chips – These melt into pockets of chocolate, adding to the gooey center.
Chopped walnuts (optional) – Adds a bit of crunch if you’re feeling nutty!
Brown sugar – Adds depth and caramel-like sweetness to the topping.
Boiling water – When poured over the batter, it helps create that fudgy sauce at the bottom.

Ingredients for making chocolate cobbler.

How to Make Chocolate Cobbler

Preheat oven. Set your oven to 350°F, and let the magic begin!
Mix dry ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Combining flour, sugar, and cocoa powder in a glass mixing bowl.

Whisked dry ingredients in a glass bowl.

Stir in the wet ingredients. Pour in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir just until everything is combined.
Add extras. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts (if you’re feeling nutty). These will melt into little pockets of joy as the cobbler bakes.

Stirring melted butter and milk into a chocolate cake batter.

Adding chocolate chips to chocolate cobbler cake batter.

Spread batter. Evenly spread the batter into the bottom of an 8-inch baking dish.
Add topping. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this sweet mixture evenly over the batter for that extra chocolatey layer.
Pour water – don’t stir! Carefully pour the boiling water over the batter. I know it seems odd, but trust me – don’t stir! This is how you get that luscious chocolate sauce at the bottom.

A baking dish of chocolate cobbler with a sugar mixture sprinkled on top.

Boiling water poured over chocolate cobbler batter in a baking dish.

Bake and serve. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is set and just firm enough. When it’s ready, serve it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for that dreamy hot-and-cold combo!

A baked chocolate cobbler in a white dish.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake it fresh when you’re ready to serve.

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftover cobbler in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze this cobbler?

Yes, you can! Let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap and storing it in the freezer. It will last up to 3 months.

What is the best way to reheat it?

Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes.

Can I add other mix-ins?

Definitely! Try adding a handful of shredded coconut or switching out the walnuts for pecans to change things up.

Tips for Success

Don’t stir the water into the batter! Pouring the hot water over the top without mixing is the key to getting that gooey chocolate sauce at the bottom.
Use good quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips for the best, most intense chocolate flavor.
If you prefer a more cake-like texture, bake it for the full 30 minutes. For a gooey center, keep a close eye on it and pull it out at around 25 minutes.
Let the cobbler cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to settle.

What to Serve with Chocolate Cobbler

This chocolate cobbler is perfect on its own, but serving it with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream takes it to another level. The contrast of cold ice cream with the warm, gooey cobbler is unbeatable!

You can also drizzle a little Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce on top if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

For a fruity twist, serve it with Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries or a spoonful of Homemade Whipped Cream to balance out the richness!

Substitutions and Variations

Swap semisweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate if you want a more intense chocolate flavor.
If you’re out of all-purpose flour, use self-rising flour, but skip the baking powder and reduce the salt.
You can replace the milk with almond or coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
For a nutty twist, try using pecans instead of walnuts, or skip the nuts altogether if you prefer.
Add a sprinkle of shredded coconut to the batter for a fun tropical touch.