Chocolate gravy is a Southern-style sweet sauce made with cocoa powder, flour, sugar, milk, and butter. Unlike chocolate sauce, which is thinner, chocolate gravy has a thicker consistency—like a pudding you can pour.
First Time I Tasted Chocolate Gravy, I was completely surprised. My aunt poured it over a plate of warm, fluffy biscuits and set it down in front of me. I thought, “Chocolate… for breakfast?” But one bite was all it took—I was hooked.
This recipe has been in my family for years, and I’ve made it countless times. It’s smooth, rich, and just the right amount of sweet. What I love most is how simple it is. You don’t need fancy equipment or special skills—just a few pantry staples like cocoa powder, flour, sugar, milk, and butter.
If you’ve been craving something cozy, comforting, and a little nostalgic, biscuits with chocolate gravy might be the recipe you didn’t know you needed.
How To Make Chocolate Gravy Recipe?
Recipe Overview
This chocolate gravy recipe is easy, quick, and made with pantry staples like cocoa powder, flour, sugar, milk, and butter. Perfect for drizzling over biscuits, pancakes, or pound cake.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time : 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Cuisine: Southern, American
- Course: Breakfast, Dessert
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: 4 servings
- Calories per Serving: ~220
Equipment You’ll Need
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredient Notes
1. Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best flavor.
2. Milk: Whole milk gives it creaminess, but you can use 2% or even dairy-free alternatives.
3. Butter: Adds richness and shine—don’t skip it.
4. Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works best.
Instructions
1. Mix dry ingredients:
In a medium saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. This prevents lumps later.
2. Add milk:
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. This keeps the mixture smooth.
3. Cook the gravy:
Place the saucepan over medium heat and keep whisking until it thickens to a gravy-like consistency (about 7–8 minutes).
Tip: Don’t walk away. Chocolate gravy thickens quickly, and whisking prevents clumps.
4. Add butter and vanilla:
Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. This makes the gravy silky and rich.
5. Serve warm:
Pour over hot biscuits, pancakes, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 220
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 28g
Tips
1. Thicker gravy: Add an extra tablespoon of flour if you prefer it more pudding-like.
2. Lighter version: Use less sugar or swap with coconut sugar.
3. Dairy-free: Use almond milk or oat milk with vegan butter.
4. Add spice: A pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper gives it a little kick.
Storage Tip: Keep leftover chocolate gravy in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk to loosen it.
Expert Tips
1. Gravy too thin? Keep cooking until it thickens, or whisk in a bit more flour mixed with cold milk.
2. Gravy too thick? Add a little extra milk, whisking until smooth.
3. Lumpy texture? Use a fine-mesh strainer or give it a quick blend with an immersion blender.
Serving Suggestions
1. Classic chocolate gravy and biscuits (the Southern favorite).
2. Drizzle over pancakes or waffles.
3. Spoon over pound cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
4. Pour over fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas.
Chocolate gravy tastes best served warm. Always make it just before serving if possible—reheating is fine, but nothing beats the silky texture fresh off the stove.
What are the main ingredients typically used to make traditional Southern chocolate gravy?
Traditional recipes always include cocoa powder, flour, sugar, milk, butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Simple pantry staples, but together they create a rich and satisfying treat.
How is chocolate gravy commonly served, and what makes it different from regular chocolate sauce?
Chocolate gravy is usually served warm over fresh biscuits, making it a cozy breakfast dish. The primary difference between chocolate gravy and chocolate sauce lies in their thickness—gravy is more custard-like and hearty, whereas chocolate sauce is thinner and runnier.
FAQ
Can I make chocolate gravy ahead of time?
Yes, but it thickens in the fridge. Warm it slowly on the stove and whisk in extra milk until smooth.
Can I use cornstarch instead of flour?
Yes, cornstarch works too—use about half the amount of flour.
Is chocolate gravy only for biscuits?
Not at all! Try it with pancakes, waffles, ice cream, or even pound cake.
How to make chocolate gravy without butter?
You can skip butter, but it won’t be as silky. Try using coconut oil or margarine as a substitute.
Conclusion
If you’ve never tried chocolate biscuits and gravy, I can’t wait for you to give this recipe a go. It’s easy, quick, and made with ingredients you probably already have at home. This Southern classic is pure comfort food, and once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.
I’d love to hear how it turned out for you—leave me a comment below or tag me if you share your chocolate gravy recipe on social media.
Chocolate gravy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. This prevents lumps later.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. This keeps the mixture smooth.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and keep whisking until it thickens to a gravy-like consistency (about 7–8 minutes).
- Tip: Don’t walk away. Chocolate gravy thickens quickly, and whisking prevents clumps.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. This makes the gravy silky and rich.
- Pour over hot biscuits, pancakes, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
