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Home · Recipes · Course · Chocolate Gravy

Published: Nov 14, 2023 by Kelly Anthony · Leave a CommentThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Chocolate Gravy

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If decadently delicious, homemade Chocolate Gravy served over hot, fluffy biscuits won't get you out of bed fast, nothing will. This quick and easy crowd-pleasing sauce is great for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert.

Two biscuits on a white plate drizzled with Chocolate Gravy

This Southern classic is so simple to prepare; it takes less than 15 minutes to make! And the kids and adults love it--but especially the kids! If you are looking for more kid-friendly recipes, we've got you covered!

Two biscuits on a white plate drizzled with Chocolate Gravy

For other decadent breakfast ideas try our egg sandwich or breakfast tacos!

WHAT IS CHOCOLATE GRAVY?

Move over sausage gravy. and white gravy. This is a breakfast treat made to cure any sweet tooth. Chocolate Gravy is a southern breakfast-time treat in which hot biscuits are cloaked in a drizzle of decadent chocolate sauce.

More like a chocolate pudding with gravy consistency, this recipe hails from the Appalachian Mountains, where cooks didn't limit themselves to meat-filled gravies and sauces. Thought to be created out of resourcefulness, Chocolate Gravy was born out of the need to use minimal ingredients one was most likely to have on hand at the time -- milk and cocoa powder, flour, and sugar.

Who wouldn't want to sop up leftover gravy with a delicious buttermilk biscuit? And unlike sausage gravy, who cares if Chocolate Gravy has gone cold? It then basically becomes chocolate pudding!

Two biscuits on a white plate drizzled with Chocolate Gravy

CHOCOLATE GRAVY INGREDIENTS

  • Granulated Sugar | Granulated sugar (or white sugar) is what adds sweetness to Chocolate Gravy recipes.
  • Cocoa Powder | Use unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. We used Hershey's Dutch Chocolate Cocoa Powder for deep chocolate flavor.
  • Flour | All-purpose flour serves as the thickener. Do not substitute any other types of flour.
  • Milk | You can use whole milk or 2% milk. Whole milk will lend your chocolate gravy a richer, thicker vibe.
  • Butter | Butter serves double duty in this recipe, as it adds both a lovely sheen to the chocolate sauce and richness in flavor. 
  • Vanilla | A splash of vanilla makes a huge difference in this recipe; don't leave it out!

Serve with our easy homemade biscuit recipe. It's our all-time favorite and so perfect for enjoying with your Chocolate Gravy!

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE GRAVY

Chocolate Gravy is incredibly easy to make. You'll begin by combining dry ingredients in a saucepan: sugar, flour, and cocoa. Add the salt and transfer to the stovetop over medium heat. 

Measured flour in a small, clear measuring cup
Saute pan with milk and cocoa powder

Very slowly drizzle in the milk, whisking constantly. Allow the mixture to reach a simmer and reduce the heat to maintain a proper simmer. 

Milk being poured into the pan of Chocolate Gravy

Simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the gravy has thickened, stirring often to keep the bottom of the pan from scorching. As soon as the gravy has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove it from the heat. Add in the vanilla extract and butter and stir until the butter is melted and fully incorporated. 

Vanilla extract being poured into the Chocolate Gravy mixture

Butter being poured into the Chocolate Gravy mixture, in a saute pan with a whisk.

HOW TO SERVE CHOCOLATE GRAVY

Buttermilk biscuits and Chocolate Gravy is a classic combination, but this doesn't mean it won't be absolutely perfect drizzled across your favorite pancakes or waffle recipe.

Serve alongside a decadent breakfast spread of scrambled eggs with cheese, fruit, and maybe even a brunchy cocktail.

If you'd like to break outside the breakfast box, consider serving Chocolate Gravy with dessert! Similar to hot fudge, Chocolate Gravy can serve double duty as an ice cream topper or a drizzle over pound cake or even angel food cake.

You can also serve this versatile gravy as a dip for fruits like strawberry and pineapple.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why isn't my gravy thickening?

There are three possible culprits: heat setting, flour, or milk. If you mis-measured the flour or milk, your gravy will not reach the right consistency.

Measure carefully! If you're sure you measured properly, it's likely the heat. Make sure your gravy reaches a simmer. The flour won't thicken under too low of heat conditions. 

How do you store Chocolate Gravy?

Store leftover Chocolate Gravy in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, sealed in an airtight container. 

Source: Rummel, Rachel. "Chocolate Gravy." Atlas Obscura, 22 Oct. 2018, www.atlasobscura.com/foods/chocolate-gravy.

Two biscuits drizzled with Chocolate Gravy

6 MORE CHOCOLATE GRAVY-RELATED RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

  • Baked Donuts
  • Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  • Cinnamon Swirls
  • Cinnamon Muffins
  • Fried Apples
  • A stack of cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar donuts with a bite taken out of the top one. the inside is yellow and dense.

    Baked Donuts

  • a stack of cinnamon roll pancakes on a plate with vanilla glaze drizzled over top and cinnamon sticks beside it

    Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

  • A close up of chocolate chip banana bread sliced.

    Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

  • And overhead shot of puff pastry cinnamon rolls stacked in a metal pie dish.

    Cinnamon Swirls (Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls)

  • A close up shot of a cinnamon muffin on a napkin.

    Cinnamon Muffins

  • An overhead shot of fried apples in a pan.

    Fried Apples

Two biscuits on a white plate drizzled with Chocolate Gravy
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Chocolate Gravy

Forget the sausage gravy at your next brunch! Serve up this quick and easy Chocolate Gravy on your biscuits, desserts, or fruit.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: Chocolate Gravy
Servings: 6
Calories: 190kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Biscuits, for serving

Instructions

  • Add sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt to a medium saucepan and whisk to combine.
  • Place the pan over medium heat, and very slowly, stream in the milk, whisking all the while.
  • Allow the mixture to reach a simmer. Then, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often to keep the bottom of the pan from scorching.
  • Once the Chocolate Gravy has thickened, remove it from the heat and add the butter and vanilla. Stir until melted.
  • Serve warm over biscuits and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg
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I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

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