A hidden gem of Southern cuisine, Chocolate Gravy is perfect for pouring over warm, flaky biscuits. This silky and delicious chocolate sauce is a decadent treat that is surprisingly easy to make.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
I was genuinely surprised when I first learned about chocolate gravy, a dish not as widely known outside the Southern States. I couldn’t believe someone could turn chocolate into a rich, creamy sauce to pour over homemade Air fryer biscuits for breakfast!
The gravy has a deep, chocolatey flavor with subtle hints of vanilla and a touch of saltiness that enhances its sweetness. It's a great addition to any breakfast or brunch.
if you like biscuit and gravy recipes, you will love these biscuits smothered in savory sausage gravy or even bacon gravy.
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Sugar: White granulated sugar adds sweetness to the gravy, balancing the bitterness of the cocoa powder.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder provides the rich chocolate flavor that’s the star of the recipe.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor, adding warmth and depth to the chocolate.
- Flour: All-purpose flour acts as a thickening agent to give the gravy its smooth, pudding-like consistency.
- Milk and Butter: Whole milk the liquid base that combines with the dry ingredients, giving the gravy its creamy texture. Unsalted butter adds richness and a silky finish to the gravy as it cooks.
- Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness.
- Biscuits: The perfect vehicle to soak up the rich, sweet chocolate gravy.
Tools Needed
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula
- Serving dish
How To Make Chocolate Gravy
Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt and whisk until thoroughly combined.
Slowly whisk in milk, Pouring in about ½ of a cup at a time. Whisk until dissolved, ensuring the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture boil too vigorously, which can cause it to burn.
Once the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter fully melts and becomes smooth and glossy.
Pour the warm chocolate gravy over freshly baked biscuits, pancakes, or ice cream. Enjoy!
How To Store
To store, allow the chocolate gravy to cool to room temperature. Transfer the gravy to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the gravy in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of milk to restore its smooth consistency.
You can freeze chocolate gravy for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating in a saucepan.
FAQ
Chocolate gravy contains flour, which gives it a thick, pudding-like texture, and people usually serve it over biscuits. Chocolate sauce is thinner and smoother. People usually use it as a topping for desserts like ice cream or cakes.
Chocolate gravy has roots in Appalachian and Southern U.S. cooking. Many believe it developed as a local version of traditional savory gravies. It uses ingredients like cocoa and flour that are available.
Yes, you can substitute cornstarch, gluten-free flour, and other alternatives for flour to thicken the gravy. Keep in mind that you would have to adjust the amount used as they might not thicken the same as flour.
Notes
Buttermilk biscuits are the most common pairing, though any type of biscuit works well. You can try it with Mayonnaise Biscuits. This gravy also tastes amazing on pancakes, French toast, and even waffles!
I hope you like this chocolate gravy recipe as much as we do! Looking for more breakfast recipes? Try these out:
If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Silky Southern Chocolate Gravy
Ingredients
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Biscuits for serving
Instructions
- Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt and whisk until thoroughly combined. Slowly whisk in milk, Pouring in about ½ of a cup at a time. Whisk until dissolved, ensuring the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture boil too vigorously, which can cause it to burn.
- Once the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter is fully melted, smooth, and glossy.
- Pour the warm chocolate gravy over freshly baked biscuits, pancakes, or ice cream. Enjoy!
Bessie Bell says
I am goin to try the chocolate gravy recipe, I love your recipes, thank you.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Bessie 🙂