Southern Chocolate Cobbler

Southern chocolate cobbler is an old-fashioned dessert known for its rich, gooey chocolate center and crisp, brownie-like top. As it bakes, the batter forms its own thick chocolate sauce underneath, giving you a warm, comforting treat that tastes like a cross between molten cake and fudgy brownies. It’s simple to make and perfect for serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients
For the batter:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1⁄3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 cups hot water

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or oil and set aside.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients for the batter. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder until well combined.
3. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir until the batter becomes smooth and thick. It should resemble a brownie batter.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom.
5. Prepare the topping in a separate bowl by combining the granulated sugar and cocoa powder. Mix until the cocoa is evenly blended into the sugar.
6. Sprinkle the sugar-cocoa mixture evenly over the top of the batter. Do not stir it into the batter.
7. Slowly pour the hot water over the topping. Pour carefully and evenly across the surface. Do not mix. The water will create the chocolate sauce as the cobbler bakes.
8. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The top will form a crust while the bottom stays soft and saucy.
9. Remove from the oven and let the cobbler rest for 10 minutes. This helps the sauce thicken slightly while the top stays crisp.
10. Serve warm, spooning both the chocolate crust and the gooey sauce into each dish. It pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.