Pioneer Woman Style Chocolate Cobbler: Easy Dessert Recipe

This delightful Chocolate Cobbler recipe brings the comforting charm of Southern baking right to your kitchen. Inspired by the ease and heartwarming goodness of Pioneer Woman recipes, this dessert features a fudgy chocolate sauce beneath a brownie-like topping. It’s reminiscent of a decadent lava cake but incredibly simple to prepare, making it perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

If you’re a fan of classic cobblers, you’ll also adore recipes like Peach Cobbler, Strawberry Cobbler, and Blackberry Cobbler. These are all wonderful examples of easy, home-style desserts that are sure to please.

Close-up of chocolate cobbler in a white bowl, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a spoon resting in the bowl.

This Southern Chocolate Cobbler, much like a Pioneer Woman staple, is rich, deeply chocolatey, and utterly satisfying. It perfectly balances a slightly crisp brownie top with a gooey, fudge-like center. Each spoonful delivers a warm, comforting taste, echoing the flavors of a sophisticated lava cake, yet requiring far less effort. It’s an ideal dessert for chocolate enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates the simplicity of home-baked goodness, much like the recipes popularized by the Pioneer Woman. Served warm with a generous scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, this cobbler becomes an extraordinary treat.

Why This is the Perfect Pioneer Woman Chocolate Cobbler

Unbelievably Delicious: This chocolate cobbler is a true indulgence. The combination of a brownie-esque crust and a molten fudge interior makes it a chocolate lover’s dream. It’s a time-tested, family-approved recipe that’s guaranteed to be a hit, embodying the comforting and delicious spirit of Pioneer Woman desserts.

Effortlessly Easy: Just six basic ingredients and a single baking dish are all you need to create this amazing cobbler. It’s a straightforward recipe, perfect for busy home cooks who want to deliver big flavor without complicated steps, much like Ree Drummond’s signature style.

Make-Ahead Marvel: Not only does this chocolate cobbler keep beautifully in the refrigerator for days, it also freezes wonderfully. You can bake it in advance and have a comforting dessert ready whenever you need it, showcasing the practicality and convenience often highlighted in Pioneer Woman cooking.

Simple Ingredients for Your Chocolate Cobbler Pioneer Woman Recipe

This easy Chocolate Cobbler, with its Pioneer Woman-inspired simplicity, relies on just six simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.

For the full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information, please refer to the recipe card at the end of this post.

Butter: Salted butter is used for richness and flavor. Unsalted butter can also be used, adjusting salt if necessary.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and structure. Cane sugar or coconut sugar can be substituted. For sugar-free options, use a baking-appropriate sugar substitute in the correct amount.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The heart of the chocolate flavor.
Self-Rising Flour: Simplifies the recipe by combining flour, baking powder, and salt. A quick homemade version is available if you don’t have self-rising flour on hand. For a gluten-free version, use your preferred gluten-free flour blend.
Milk: Adds moisture and richness. Whole milk, low-fat milk, buttermilk, oat milk, or other dairy-free milk alternatives work well.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor, adding depth and warmth. Homemade or high-quality store-bought pure vanilla extract are both excellent choices.
Chocolate Cobbler Topping: A simple mixture of granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and boiling water creates the signature fudge sauce.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Pioneer Woman Chocolate Cobbler

Get Started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the butter in a 9×13 inch baking dish and let it melt in the oven while it preheats.

Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, self-rising flour, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined to form the batter. Once the butter is melted, remove the dish from the oven and spoon the batter evenly over the melted butter. Do not stir.

Create the Fudge Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar and cocoa powder for the topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter in the baking dish. Carefully pour the boiling water over the sugar and cocoa mixture. Again, do not stir.

Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top of the cobbler is set and slightly firm to the touch. The bottom will remain fudgy and loose, which is exactly what you want.

Cool and Serve: Let the chocolate cobbler cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. The fudge sauce will thicken slightly as it cools. Serve warm, and for an extra treat, top each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy this comforting dessert!

A single serving of chocolate cobbler in a white bowl with a spoon, topped with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Storing Your Chocolate Cobbler Pioneer Woman Dessert

Storing: Once the chocolate cobbler has cooled completely, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic food wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the completely cooled cobbler. Place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating: To reheat refrigerated cobbler, remove any plastic wrap or lids and transfer it to an oven-safe dish if necessary. Cover with aluminum foil and reheat in a preheated oven until warmed through, about 20 minutes. Individual portions can be gently reheated in the microwave in a microwave-safe container until warm.

More Favorite Easy Dessert Recipes

Hummingbird Cake
Sweet Potato Pie
Banana Pudding
Pecan Pie
Easy Fudge

Here’s my Grandmother’s Chocolate Cobbler Recipe, updated with the easy-to-love approach of Pioneer Woman style baking. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as mine does!

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Southern Chocolate Cobbler Recipe Card – Pioneer Woman Inspired

By Robyn Stone

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12

This Pioneer Woman inspired Chocolate Cobbler recipe is a classic Southern dessert. It features an easy brownie-like topping over a rich fudge sauce, similar to a lava cake but much simpler to make – perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients

1/2 cup (113g) butter
1 1/2 cups (297g) granulated sugar
3 tablespoons (16g) unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups (226g) self-rising flour
1 cup (227g) whole milk
2 teaspoons (9g) vanilla extract

Chocolate Cobbler Topping:

2 cups (396g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups (681g) boiling water
vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional, but highly recommended)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place butter in a 9×13 inch baking dish and melt in the preheating oven. Remove from oven.
In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, flour, milk, and vanilla extract for the batter. Spoon over melted butter in baking dish. Do NOT stir.
In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups sugar and ½ cup cocoa powder for the topping. Sprinkle over the batter. Pour boiling water over topping. Do NOT stir.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until top is set. The bottom will be slightly loose.
Cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Recipe Notes

Storing and Freezing:

Store: Cover cooled cobbler and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
Freeze: Freeze completely cooled cobbler in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat: Reheat in oven at a low temperature covered with foil until warm, or microwave individual portions gently.

Nutrition

Nutritional information is an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2011.