A rich brownie-like cake layer bakes on top, and a gooey, sinful chocolate fudge layer forms on the bottom, this Super Easy Chocolate Cobbler takes minutes to whip up, and it’s a chocolate lovers’ dream! This Chocolate Cobbler is also a perfect dessert to share with your Valentine!
This Chocolate Cobbler is like a big chocolate lava cake. I’ve only ever seen lava cakes in mini form, but this Chocolate Cobbler is pretty much a lava cake, but BIGGER. Better than those mini cakes because bigger is ALWAYS better, for one thing, but also better because this Chocolate Cobbler makes for excellent sharing with your valentine! Sharing is more romantic than having your own individual mini cake.
You can both grab spoons and dive right in. See if you can plow through the whole thing in one sitting – I almost did that by myself, no valentine needed.
This Chocolate Cobbler is also like a pudding cake, if you’re familiar with those. You start with a layer of cake batter on the bottom, then you top it with a mixture of just regular sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder. Sprinkle it all over the cake batter. You’ll pour hot water over the whole thing (don’t stir), and then bake it.
It’s the craziest thing, but the top will bake into a brownie-like layer…. like a cakey brownie, but more moist, and a bit crispy on the top. Then the bottom will be a chocolate pudding-like layer – thick, gooey, and fudgy. How does this happen?
Apparently, the water on top dissolves the sugar layer. Meanwhile, the cake batter at the bottom starts to rise. It pushes the water and sugar mixture to the bottom, which picks up some flour as it passes through. So the cake ends up on top because it pushed itself there, and the water and sugar end up on the bottom, but are thickened by flour on their way south, so it ends up like a fudgy pudding layer. Awesome, isn’t it? They basically trade places.
Science is pretty cool. However it happens, it means that this Chocolate Cobbler is crazy delicious, easy to make, and will ensure you have a fantastic Valentine’s Day with your valentine!
For other great Valentine’s Day recipes, check out this Red Velvet Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie (it’s sooo easy!), these Red Velvet Rice Krispie Treats (ready in minutes!), these Nutella-Filled Red Velvet Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream (they’re AMAZING), or these Raspberry White Chocolate Almond Bars (I’ve been making them for years!).
Super Easy Chocolate Cobbler
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups sugar divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder divided
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
- vanilla ice cream for serving
- fresh raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together 3/4 cup sugar, flour, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, butter, and vanilla, stirring until combined.
- Spray a 10-inch cast iron skillet with non-stick spray.
- Spread batter evenly into the bottom of the skillet.
- In a small bowl, stir together remaining 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, and remaining 1/4 cup cocoa.
- Sprinkle evenly over the batter in the skillet.
- Pour the hot water evenly (and carefully) into the skillet. Do not stir.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until center appears set.
- Remove from heat, and let stand for 20 minutes before spooning into dishes to serve.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries.
