There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a bubbling dessert fresh from the oven, especially when the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter. A warm, gooey cobbler is the kind of dessert that invites you to slow down and savor each bite. Cobblers have been a classic dessert in American homes for generations. With a fruit base and a biscuit or cake like topping, they’re simpler than pies and more rustic in presentation, but no less satisfying.
Among the many cobbler variations out there, the chocolate cherry cobbler recipe is an indulgent standout. It pairs the rich depth of dark chocolate with the tart brightness of cherries, resulting in a spoonable dessert that’s decadent, nostalgic, and perfect for cozy evenings at home. The soft, gooey texture of baked cherries combined with melted chocolate chunks and a brownie like top makes this dish feel like the love child of a chocolate cake and a cherry pie.
Chocolate and cherry are a naturally complementary pair. The rich, slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate help mellow the intense tartness of cherries, while the fruitiness of the cherries highlights the complexity of the chocolate. This balance makes for a rich, multi layered flavor profile that feels more luxurious than a standard fruit cobbler. For best results, use tart or sour cherries, which can be fresh, frozen, or canned, and pair them with semi sweet or dark chocolate. The deeper cocoa flavors contrast beautifully with the juicy, vibrant fruit.
So whether you're hosting a small gathering or simply treating yourself to a special night in, this dessert delivers big on flavor and comfort. Plus, it's easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Ingredients:
For the cherry filling:
- 4 cups pitted tart cherries (frozen or fresh)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust based on sweetness of cherries)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
For the topping:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method:
- First, making the cherry filling. If using frozen cherries, thaw them and drain off the excess liquid.
- In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and water.
- Heat over medium flame, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and chocolate chips.
- Pour the cherry mixture into a greased baking dish or any oven safe dish. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, mix the milk, oil or melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Now add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until a smooth batter forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate batter over the cherry filling.
- It doesn’t need to cover the cherries completely, since part of the charm of cobbler is its rustic, uneven surface.
- As the cobbler bakes, the topping will spread and puff up slightly, creating pockets of gooey, cakey goodness.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F or 175°C oven for about 40 minutes, or until the topping is firm and set, and the cherries are bubbling at the edges.
- Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle slightly.
The cobbler is best served warm, and there’s no shame in going all out with the customizations. Here are a few ideas:
- Nutty crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the batter or sprinkle them over the top before baking.
- Extra chocolate: Fold a few more chocolate chips into the batter itself for double the cocoa punch.
- If serving to adults, stir a splash of cherry liqueur or brandy into the cherry filling.
- Vanilla ice cream: A scoop on top adds a cooling contrast to the warm, rich cobbler.
- Whipped cream: Light and airy, this soft topping complements the dense, fudgy topping.
- Dusting of powdered sugar: For a visually appealing finish and a touch of extra sweetness.
- If you’re feeling extra fancy, drizzle some warm chocolate sauce or cherry syrup over the top.