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Home » Recipes » Cobbler

Southern Chocolate Cobbler

Published: Feb 22, 2025 by Marye

If you love the southern chocolate cobbler at Cracker Barrel you'll love this easy microwave pudding cake that's done in 10 minutes! Add the optional spices for a Mexican chocolate vibe.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 15 minutes minutes
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Feature image showing a closeup of the cobbler on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.
Overhead view of the almost empty baking dish with chocolate sauce all over the bottom and a text overlay for Pinterest..

This Southern Chocolate Cobbler is what happens when your grandma’s best-kept secret meets pure, molten indulgence. It’s rich, it’s messy in the best way, and it’ll make you wonder why anyone bothers with regular cake when they can have this in less than 15 minutes!

First posted Sept 12, 2014. Last updated with editorial corrections and more helpful information on February 22, 2025.

Chocolate cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
  • 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
  • 🔪 Step-by-step guide: How to make Southern chocolate cobbler
  • 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat this dish
  • 💭 Insider tips: things to know
  • 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
  • 👩‍🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
  • 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
  • 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Southern Chocolate Cobbler
  • 💬 Comments

This old-fashioned favorite is pure Southern magic—crispy on top, molten in the middle, and downright scandalous with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. No mixing required; the oven does all the work, like a Southern belle sipping sweet tea while everyone else sweats. One bite, and you’ll wonder why cake even exists. Grab a spoon, y'all—this cobbler is about to wreck your self-control.

🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite

  • Rich, fudgy, saucy, and downright decadent—basically, the dessert equivalent of a Mardi Gras parade, but with more chocolate.
  • No oven? No problem! The microwave version whips up in under 20 minutes, because sometimes patience is overrated.
  • Made with simple ingredients and even simpler effort—just mix, bake, and prepare to swoon.
  • It’s like molten lava cake, chocolate pudding cake, and hot water cake had a delicious little love child.
  • The way the cake rises to the top while the fudgy sauce settles below? I don’t know if it’s science or sorcery, but let’s just call it magic and grab a spoon.

🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for this recipe.

🔪 Step-by-step guide: How to make Southern chocolate cobbler

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.

Pouring coffee into the cocoa mixture.

In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa, spices, and coffee. Add the butter, then microwave until bubbling.

Dry ingredients in the bottom of the baking dish.

Whisk the dry ingredients together in the bottom of the baking dish.

Milk stirred into the dry ingredients.

Stir the milk and vanilla extract into the dry mixture, spreading it evenly.

Coffee mixture poured over the batter.

Pour the fudgy chocolate sauce from the mixing bowl over the top of the batter in the dish. Don't stir—just microwave and enjoy!

🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat this dish

Hot chocolate cobbler is a family favorite, so we usually scarf down the entire thing in minutes. However, this comforting dessert makes great leftovers!

Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or spoon leftovers into an airtight container. Keep the chocolate cobbler in the refrigerator and it'll last for about three days.

Reheating this southern classic couldn't be easier. Simply pop your portion into the microwave for thirty seconds or so and enjoy. Don't forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Freezer instructions

Bless your heart for thinking Southern Chocolate Cobbler would ever last long enough to freeze. Technically, yes—you can freeze it, but the gooey, magical sauce might not be quite the same after thawing.

If you must, wrap it up tight and freeze for up to three months, then reheat gently in the oven or microwave. But honestly, just grab a spoon and handle it the right way—fresh and warm, like the chocolate gods intended.

💭 Insider tips: things to know

  1. Use a 2 quart dish—this is important. Too small and you'll make a mess in the microwave. Too large and the cake batter will overcook.
  2. Please make sure your bowl and baking dish are microwave safe—and, use pot holders to handle them. They'll be super hot!
  3. There are quite a few types of cocoa powder out there, but this recipe needs dark cocoa powder—it's really the best!
  4. Simply pour the fudgy cocoa mix over top of the cake batter. No mixing! The cake will float to the top leaving a rich sauce underneath.
  5. Don't make coffee at home? No worries! Ask for a small black coffee on your morning drive-through run and store it in the fridge until later!
  6. The best way to serve hot chocolate cobbler (if you ask the kids) is with a scoop of ice cream on top. However, it's also good with just some whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon.

Marye's Tip o' the day

Let the hot chocolate cobbler set and cool for about five minutes. I know it's tempting to dig in when the whole house smells like brownie batter but trust me! Waiting creates the perfect end result.

📖 Make it your own: yummy variations

  1. The coffee flavor isn't too strong, but if you're really not a fan (or don't have any) swap it with hot water.
  2. Milk chocolate chips add a nice, mellow flavor, but you can experiment with your favorite variety. Dark would be good, and so would white!
  3. For the hot fudge sauce, use white or brown sugar—whatever you have.
  4. If you don't like pecans, you can omit them, or swap them for something else, like peanuts, crushed candy, or shredded coconut.
  5. Feel free to amp up the heat by increasing the chile powder measurement. It tastes just like a Mexican hot chocolate cobbler twist!
  6. If you're out of vanilla, use a splash of bourbon or rum—yum.
  7. Like your cobbler cake extra creamy? Microwave it for a minute or two less than the instructions say to do so.
Chocolate cobbler in a glass baking pan.

🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up

Dust the top with powdered sugar just before serving for a pretty presentation.

zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive

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Spoonful of chocolate cobbler being served.

👩‍🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs

Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!

Can I bake this easy chocolate cobbler recipe in the oven?

Sure thing! Bake it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes. Keep in mind, it'll set a bit more as it cools, and you do want it to remain fudgy.

How do I know when it's done cooking?

The center of the cake portion shouldn't look fully raw anymore. However, don't confuse the delicious fudge sauce with batter. Like a molten cake, you'll want to grab a spoon to enjoy chocolate cobbler! Follow the cooking instructions closely and you'll be good to go.

A baking dish with several servings of cobbler gone.

📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love

  • Blackberry Cobbler is an easy, summery treat that tastes like an afternoon on Grandma's porch—plus, you can use any type of berries!
  • Inspired by a delicious, taste bud-tingling Mexican treat, Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes are a spiced surprise no one can resist!
  • With chunks of fragrant, juicy peaches and tender biscuity cobbler dough, Southern Peach Cobbler is a must-try for any lover of sweets.
  • A slice of chocolate cake with mocha frosting.
    Hershey's Perfect Chocolate Cake
  • Close up of cake for featured image.
    Double Chocolate Fudge Coca Cola Cake
  • A closeup of a square of cake.
    Holy Cow Cake: Decadently Rich Chocolate Cake
  • Square serving of chocolate sheet cake with whipped icing.
    Chocolate Sheet Cake

🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose

If you've had the hot chocolate cobbler at Cracker Barrel you are going to love this! Call this easy dessert a pudding cake, call it a hot chocolate cake, call it a chocolate cobbler - it really doesn't matter.

This stuff is good. And it's microwaved.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Feature image showing a closeup of the cobbler on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.

Southern Chocolate Cobbler

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If you love the southern chocolate cobbler at Cracker Barrel you'll love this easy microwave pudding cake that's done in 10 minutes! Add the optional spices for a Mexican chocolate vibe.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American - Vintage
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings:6
Calories:658
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

Fudge Sauce

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder, I use Hershey’s Special Dark
  • 2 ½ cups coffee, very strong (or water), boiling
  • ¼ cup butter, ½ stick
  • 1 pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
  • ¼ ground ancho chile, more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon roasted cinnamon, or regular cinnamon
  • 1 pinch Pinch of salt

Cake Batter

  • 1 cup flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • ½ cup toasted pecans, chopped, optional

Instructions

Sauce

  • Mix sugar, cocoa, spices, and coffee in a large microwave safe bowl.
  • Add the butter, and microwave on high for 5 minutes, or until it is bubbling.
  • Whisk to blend.

Cake

  • Stir together the dry ingredients in a two quart casserole dish.
  • Add the milk and vanilla and stir until smooth.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans, if using
  • Spread the batter in the casserole dish.
  • Pour the boiling hot sauce over the batter but do not stir it!
  • Microwave for 8-10 minutes. The sauce will be on the bottom but the cake will be on the top. If you like it very creamy microwave it for less time.
  • Serve warm topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Notes

You can bake this in the oven - 350F for 35 to 40 minutes or until just set.
Storage:
Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or spoon leftovers into an airtight container. Keep the chocolate cobbler in the refrigerator and it'll last for about three days.
Reheating this southern classic couldn't be easier. Simply pop your portion into the microwave for thirty seconds or so and enjoy. Don't forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
This freezes well for up to 3 months. It's best if you undercook it a bit then let come to room temperature and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then heat in the microwave just until it's hot.
Tips:
  • Let the hot chocolate cobbler set and cool for about five minutes.
  • Use a 2 ½ quart dish—this is important. Too small and you'll make a mess in the microwave. Too large and the cake batter will overcook.
  • Please make sure your bowl and baking dish are microwave safe—and, use pot holders to handle them. They'll be super hot!
  • There are quite a few types of cocoa powder out there, but this recipe needs dark cocoa powder—it's really the best!
  • Simply pour the fudgy cocoa mix over top of the cake batter. No mixing! The cake will float to the top leaving a rich sauce underneath.
  • Don't make coffee at home? No worries! Ask for a small black coffee on your morning drive-through run and store it in the fridge until later!
  • The best way to serve hot chocolate cobbler (if you ask the kids) is with a scoop of ice cream on top. However, it's also good with just some whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 658kcal | Carbohydrates: 112g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 88g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

Feature image showing a closeup of the cobbler on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.

Don't lose this recipe!

Southern Chocolate Cobbler

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Overhead view of two dishes of chocolate cobbler with ice cream on top.


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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

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    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Terry says

    July 25, 2022 at 1:31 pm

    Hey Marye - looks like another great recipe, but...what wattage microwave did you use? Sorry, but I find it really frustrating when this info isn't supplied as the variances make a huge difference - even between 9-1100w - in the recipe success.
    Thanks for adding the oven instructions - this way I SHOULD be guaranteed success - barring a grey hair,Monday oops lol
    Glad to hear your situation is improving - getting the kidlets settled, etc.
    60°F here @ 12:30pm. Yesterday 78. Welcome to Alberta, Canada!
    🇨🇦

    Reply
    • Marye says

      March 19, 2023 at 11:11 am

      I think it's a 1200 watt.

      Reply
  2. Sarah says

    May 04, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    My apologies. I misread your answer. Thank you for answering both questions.

    Reply
  3. Sarah says

    May 04, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Oh, I am so sorry Marye!
    I totally misread your reply. Thanks for the answer to both question.

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    May 04, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Hi again Marye:

    Thanks for the answer to my cinnamon question but I also need to know the answer to the ground ancho chile. Is the measurement is teaspoons, tablespoons or cups. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    May 03, 2021 at 8:56 am

    Hello Marye: Two questions please for the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cobbler. First of all, I live in Canada and we do not have access to Roasted Cinnamon. What can I substitute for this spice. Second, when you say to use: ¼ ground ancho chile, more to taste, would that be teaspoons or tablespoons? I sure would like to try this recipe but need to know the answer to these two questions first. Looking forward to hearing from you. Also, I love this site!!!

    Reply
    • Marye says

      May 03, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      Plain cinnamon will be fine... and that's 1/4 teaspoon - hope this helps!

      Reply
  6. shannon says

    September 10, 2020 at 6:46 am

    This looks amazing! Can it be baked in the oven instead of the microwave?

    Reply
    • Marye says

      September 10, 2020 at 8:09 am

      I'm sure it can- I've never tried though.

      Reply
  7. Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says

    July 12, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    This looks incredible! I know my family would love it

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      July 14, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      Thank you! It is a staple around here!

      Reply
  8. allie says

    July 11, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    What a great treat Marye. So decadent! My crew will love this for sure!

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      July 14, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      And it's so quick and easy!

      Reply
  9. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says

    July 11, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    How fun does this sound Marye! I love the flavors!

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      July 14, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Nancy Mock says

    September 18, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    I haven't even tasted it yet but I'm already in a chocolate coma! It looks divine. I need to make a dessert for a gathering this weekend... I think I just found it! Thanks!

    Nancy at Hungry Enough To Eat Six

    Reply
  11. Katrina says

    September 13, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    Seriously yum! I love it that you kick so many things up with a little spice!

    Reply
  12. patsy says

    September 13, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Wow... this looks to-die-for!

    Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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