Chocolate gravy is a delicious chocolate sauce that is very popular in the South and is made with cocoa powder, sugar, flour, butter, and milk. Chocolate gravy is like a cross between chocolate pudding and chocolate dessert sauce and tastes phenomenal poured over buttery homemade biscuits!
My Mom used to tell me when I was a kid how my Grandma would make chocolate gravy and biscuits for breakfast every Christmas morning. I don't have any memories of eating chocolate gravy myself, but I am on a mission to keep many of my family's traditions alive since a lot of them are no longer with us.
My Mom and Grandma have passed away but this recipe is my way of keeping them in my heart and sharing a piece of them with you! After several trials, I created a chocolate gravy recipe that I imagine my Grandma would be very proud of and one that my family cannot get enough of.
For more classic Southern recipes, check out our Old Fashioned Tea Cakes and Southern Buttermilk Pie recipes next.
What Is Chocolate Gravy?
I know this is the burning question you have so let's answer it! Chocolate gravy is a breakfast recipe that is very popular in the Southern US that is said to have originated as a result of a trading network between the Tennessee Valley and Spanish Louisiana.
The trade brought Mexican-style chocolate breakfast sauce to the Appalachians and Southerners have been enjoying it for breakfast for decades. Chocolate gravy is a sweet chocolate sauce made from cocoa powder, sugar, flour, butter, and milk.
The most popular way to serve chocolate gravy, also known as sopping chocolate, is poured over warm, buttery biscuits and I am here to tell you it is a match made in heaven!
Important Ingredient Notes
A complete list of ingredients along with measurements and detailed recipe instructions can be found in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Cocoa powder. Chocolate gravy is typically made with regular unsweetened cocoa powder, although it can also be made with dark cocoa powder.
- Flour. I recommend using all-purpose flour for chocolate gravy. Some people prefer self-rising flour but there is no need for leavening agents in this chocolate sauce so I stick with all-purpose.
- Milk. While I prefer whole milk for making chocolate gravy, you may also use 2% milk, evaporated milk, or buttermilk.
- Molasses. This is a completely optional ingredient and is not found in most chocolate gravy recipes. However, I find that it adds the most delicious, subtle caramel-like sweetness. I recommend light or medium unsulphured molasses, such as Grandma's.
- Vanilla extract. This ingredient adds depth and rich, vanilla flavor. Use good-quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
How To Make Chocolate Gravy
- Combine the dry ingredients. Add the sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt to a medium saucepan. Whisk the ingredients together with a silicone whisk until well combined.
- Add the milk and molasses. Pour the milk and molasses into the pan, whisk it into the cocoa mixture until all lumps are gone, and heat the sauce over medium heat. Cook the sauce, whisking constantly, until it begins to bubble and thickens to a gravy consistency.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients. Once the gravy thickens, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
How To Serve Chocolate Gravy
In the South, folks usually serve chocolate gravy ladled over warm, freshly baked biscuits. That's exactly how my Grandma served it on Christmas mornings and I can't wait to make chocolate gravy and biscuits a tradition for my family!
Chocolate gravy also tastes amazing poured over French toast, pancakes, waffles, scones, and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend using regular unsweetened cocoa powder such as Hershey's for chocolate gravy, but you can also use dark or Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper flavor.
Chocolate sauce is a sweeter sauce with a thinner texture than chocolate gravy. Chocolate sauce is usually served over desserts like ice cream or cake while thick chocolate gravy is typically served for breakfast over biscuits.
Yes! Chocolate gravy is a great make-ahead recipe and can be kept in the refrigerator and heated in the microwave when ready to serve.
How To Store Chocolate Gravy
Leftover chocolate gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Chocolate gravy also freezes well and can be kept for up to three months in the freezer.
More Southern Recipes You Will Love!
- Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
- Southern Fried Catfish
- Southern Chicken Salad
- Cajun Shrimp and Grits
- Southern Salmon Croquettes
- Brown Sugar Meatloaf
- Southern Smothered Chicken
- Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
- Old Fashioned Cornbread Dressing
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
- Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Hot Water Cornbread
- Sweet Potato Cornbread
- Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
- Skillet Peach Cobbler
- Moist Lemon Bundt Cake
- Southern Sweet Potato Pie
- Southern Pecan Pie
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk whole or 2%
- 1 tablespoon molasses see note
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Homemade buttermilk biscuits for serving
Instructions
- Add the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt to a medium saucepan and mix with a silicone whisk until well combined.
- Pour in the milk and molasses and whisk into the cocoa powder mixture until no lumps remain. Heat the sauce over medium heat and cook, while whisking constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes or until the sauce thickens to a gravy consistency and begins to bubble.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Serve chocolate gravy warm poured over warm, buttery biscuits.
Notes
- Molasses is completely optional but adds the most delicious, subtle caramel-like flavor to the sauce. I recommend light or medium molasses such as Grandma's.
- If you need to thin out your chocolate gravy, just add 1 to 2 more tablespoons of milk.
- Leftover chocolate gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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