Easy Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

Easy Chocolate Cobbler – Warm, gooey chocolate cake hidden just beneath a rich, crackly surface makes this chocolate cobbler a hidden gem of the dessert world. Top it with a melty scoop of vanilla ice cream to make any chocolate lover’s day. 

If you love molten chocolate lava cake, then you need to make this recipe for chocolate cobbler. While similar in texture and taste, it’s about one million times easier to make! That fact makes it equally dreamy for the baker and the eater. 😜

The best thing about a chocolate cobbler? It’s all about the chocolate. Definitely invest in good quality chocolate for this one, my friend, because it is the star of the show. Gooey textures and copious amounts of chocolate make it so.

Chocolate Cobbler for Any Occasion

Chocolate cobbler is also a fantastic dessert for any occasion, formal or casual. Easy to make with simple ingredients, and it comes together pretty quickly. A scoop of ice cream makes it refreshing on a hot summer day. But conversely, the warm, gooey cobbler itself is pretty darn comforting on a cold winter night. 

Ingredient List

1. Dry Ingredients – All-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt deliver an amazing dessert somewhere between a cake and a pudding.
2. Semi-Sweet Chocolate chunks or chips add extra chocolatey richness to the gooey base of the cobbler. 60% cocoa or higher gives you the most intense chocolate experience.
3. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder creates both the chocolatey cobbler and its topping.
4. Moisture – Milk and butter are classic cake ingredients in cobblers that add richness and keep the texture on point. A spoonful of vanilla extract enhances the aroma and taste for even richer chocolate notes. (How is that even possible?!) 🤯
5. Cobbler Topping – White and brown sugar do more than add sweetness; they crystallize for a crackly topping. Cocoa powder delivers more chocolatiness, while hot water does its magic.

How to Make Chocolate Cobbler

• Preheat oven to 350℉ (175℃).
• Dry Ingredients – In a medium-sized bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
• Melt Chocolate in a small bowl. Microwave it at 20-second intervals until it melts. (Photos 1-2)
• Liquids – Mix cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. (Photo 3)
• Assemble – Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the chocolate mixture and melted butter. Stir until a thick batter forms.
• Pour into a small, ungreased, 8-inch rectangular baking dish with high sides. (Photo 4)
• Topping – In another bowl, mix cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the chocolate batter. PLEASE DO NOT STIR OR MIX. (Photos 5-6)
• Final Touch – Gently pour hot water over the mixture. Again, please don’t stir. Place a baking sheet in the oven, then put the chocolate cobbler on it in case the batter spills over while baking. (Photos 7-8)
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top part sets.
• Serve – Carefully remove from the oven and cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

1. Gluten-free. Swap out all-purpose flour with your fave gluten-free baking flour to make gluten-free chocolate cobbler.
2. Flavor twists. For extra luxuriousness, add toffee! Add about half a cup of broken toffee to the brown sugar and cocoa powder mixture to top the cobbler. Then, pour the boiling water over it all.
3. Extra crunch. Chopped walnuts or pecans added to the batter or topping delivers a more complex texture. Chocolate pecan cobbler, anyone?

Tips and Tricks

1. Use high-quality chocolate (bars or chips) with at least 60% cocoa content for a deep, rich chocolate flavor. Avoid low-quality chocolate or chocolate-flavored chips, as they can have an artificial taste and affect the overall texture of your cobbler. 🍫
2. Chocolate cobbler is best enjoyed warm when the sauce is gooey, and the cake is soft.
3. A note on the science of cobbler: using cool or warm water simply won’t suffice. Only boiling water will create that perfectly crisp, shiny, crackly top layer with a tender dough underneath.

Make-Ahead Instructions

To enjoy a stress-free dessert experience: Prepare the cobbler batter and topping in advance and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, assemble the dish as usual. For easier pouring, allow the batter to come to room temperature beforehand.

Serving and Storage Instructions 

Serve your freshly baked cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For an extra treat, add whipped cream or enjoy both! 🤤

Store any leftover cobbler in the fridge for 3-5 days. It also freezes well when wrapped in plastic or placed in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

To thaw, leave the cobbler in the fridge overnight. While it may become slightly soggy, it will still be delicious. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds or in a 350℉ (177℃) oven for 10-15 minutes.

What Goes With Chocolate Cobbler

This impressive dessert is a fantastic way to end a lighter meal like marinated grilled chicken breast or zesty lemon pepper chicken. You’ll still be ready to treat yo’self when the main course is over. 

If you want to serve up a truly memorable, Instagram-worthy dessert spread, offer your guests chocolate-covered strawberries and specialty coffee. 

More Crazy-Good Chocolate Dessert Recipes to Try

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Flourless Chocolate Cake
3. German Chocolate Cake
4. Chocolate Mousse
5. Chocolate Molten Lava Cake