If you’ve never tried Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits, you’re in for an utterly delightful treat! This dish brings together rich, silky chocolate sauce and buttery, tender Southern biscuits—delivering a sweet, comforting breakfast or dessert that hits all the right notes. Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits is classic Southern comfort, perfect for cozy mornings, family brunches, or any time you want something a bit nostalgic and a whole lot delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the magical things about Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits is that it’s made from humble pantry staples, yet every ingredient plays a starring role. By combining just the right touch of cocoa, flour, and buttery goodness, you end up with a dish that looks and tastes impressive—no specialty items required!
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Gives the gravy its intense chocolate flavor and beautiful deep color.
- All-Purpose Flour (for both gravy & biscuits): Thickens the chocolate sauce and forms the tender, flaky base of the biscuits.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the cocoa’s bitterness for that perfect sweet bite.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and brings out the richness of both chocolate and biscuits.
- Whole Milk: Creates a creamy, smooth gravy and adds richness to the texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth, depth, and a touch of classic comfort to the chocolate gravy.
- Unsalted Butter (for both gravy & biscuits): Provides buttery flavor and a glossy finish to the gravy while ensuring the biscuits stay tender and rich.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These ensure your biscuits rise sky-high and bake up light.
- Cold Unsalted Butter (cubed, for biscuits): The key to flaky, layer-filled biscuits; keep it cold for best results!
- Buttermilk: Delivers a slight tang and additional moisture, making your biscuits impossibly soft.
How to Make Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C). Giving your oven plenty of time to fully heat up ensures you’ll get tall, golden biscuits—the perfect vehicle for that chocolatey goodness later on.
Step 2: Make the Biscuit Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to rub the butter in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. The little bits of butter will melt in the oven and create dreamy pockets of fluffiness!
Step 3: Add Buttermilk and Shape
Pour in the buttermilk and gently stir just until a shaggy dough forms. Don’t overmix—just until it comes together works best. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, pat it into a rectangle, fold into thirds, and repeat once more. This folding step gives you extra flakiness! Pat the dough to about 3/4-inch thickness before cutting out your biscuits with a round cutter.
Step 4: Bake the Biscuits
Place the rounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure their sides just touch (this helps them rise rather than spread). Pop them in the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden and lofty. While those beauties bake, it’s time to whip up some chocolate magic!
Step 5: Whisk Together the Chocolate Gravy Ingredients
In a saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and salt. Pour in the milk slowly, whisking as you go, until smooth. This prevents lumps and makes sure your gravy cooks up luxuriously creamy.
Step 6: Cook Chocolate Gravy to Silky Perfection
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 7–10 minutes. Patience is key—keep whisking to avoid scorching the milk or chocolate. Once glossy and thick, take it off the heat.
Step 7: Finish and Assemble
Stir in the vanilla extract and butter until melted and incorporated, giving your chocolate gravy its signature sheen and depth. Split your warm biscuits and spoon the hot chocolate gravy right over the top. The combination is pure bliss, ready to enjoy immediately!
How to Serve Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
Garnishes
For a slightly fancier presentation, sprinkle a handful of fresh berries over the top, add a cloud of whipped cream, or sift a little powdered sugar as a finishing touch. A few chocolate shavings or a pat of butter melting into the sauce also make Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits extra special.
Side Dishes
Because Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits is so rich, balance your plate with something a little bright—think fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, or simple scrambled eggs on the side. Even a mug of strong coffee or a glass of cold milk makes a perfect complement to each chocolaty, buttery bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with how you serve! Try presenting Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits in adorable ramekins for individual portions, or set up a DIY biscuit bar with toppings like toasted pecans, orange zest, or mini chocolate chips. For a special brunch, make biscuit sliders and drizzle gravy between layers—every bite will be a joyful surprise!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits (which is rare!), store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The chocolate gravy should be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator and will stay good for about three days.
Freezing
To freeze, allow the biscuits to cool completely, then wrap individually and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. The chocolate gravy can also be frozen in an airtight container; just be sure to leave some extra space at the top for expansion during freezing.
Reheating
Warm the biscuits in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes or pop them in a toaster oven. Reheat the chocolate gravy gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen the consistency.
FAQs
What is the origin of Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits?
Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits traces its roots to the American South, especially in Tennessee and Arkansas, where farm kitchens used pantry staples for inexpensive treats. It’s been warming hearts, especially at breakfast tables, for generations!
Can I use store-bought biscuits for this recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re in a hurry or don’t want to make biscuits from scratch, you can definitely enjoy Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits with your favorite store-bought biscuits—they’ll still soak up all that luscious chocolate gravy.
Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?
Yes, with a few swaps! Use your favorite non-dairy milk (like almond or oat) for the gravy, and substitute plant-based butter. For the biscuits, use a vegan butter substitute and a non-dairy milk mixed with a splash of lemon juice in place of buttermilk.
Is this recipe suitable for dessert as well as breakfast?
Definitely! Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits shines at breakfast but is equally perfect as a beloved dessert. Serve it warm after dinner for an old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing sweet.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the chocolate gravy?
If you prefer a more bittersweet chocolate flavor, reduce the sugar by a couple tablespoons. On the flip side, for extra sweetness, add a touch more sugar or finish with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about digging into a plate of Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits—the combination of tender, just-baked biscuits smothered in rich chocolate sauce is simply irresistible. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and share it with those you love; it just might become a new tradition in your home!
PrintChocolate Gravy and Biscuits Recipe
Indulge in a classic Southern breakfast or dessert with this recipe for Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits. Rich chocolate gravy poured over warm, flaky biscuits creates a comforting and decadent treat that is sure to please your taste buds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the chocolate gravy:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the biscuits: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Mix dry ingredients, cut in butter, add buttermilk, shape, cut, and bake biscuits until golden brown.
- Make the chocolate gravy: Whisk cocoa, flour, sugar, salt in a saucepan. Gradually add milk, cook until thick. Stir in vanilla and butter until smooth.
- Serve: Split warm biscuits, pour hot chocolate gravy over the top, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For an extra indulgent twist, serve with whipped cream or fresh berries.
- You can also use store-bought biscuits to save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit with gravy
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg