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Southern Style Chocolate Gravy Recipe

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Chocolate gravy is a true southern classic staple, an old-fashioned recipe that goes perfectly with hot biscuits, pancakes, and more.


A smooth, rich, creamy, and amazingly delicious gravy that shakes things up for breakfast or brunch. 

A white gravy boat filled with chocolate gravy sitting on a white plate with a white background



I was introduced to this deliciousness by my husband who used to have it made from him by his grandmother when he was a kid.


It is a super simple recipe, with only six budget-friendly ingredients, that has been around for many years and handed down for generations. You can find the roots of this dish in the Great Depression time.

If you are a chocolate lover then definitely this is one for you. It is great on waffles and pancakes but just as amazingly delicious on warm biscuits, vanilla ice cream, or whatever else you like to drizzle chocolate on.

What is southern-style chocolate gravy made of?

  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 3 1/2 Tbsps. Cocoa Powder
  • 3 Tbsps All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 1/2 Cups Whole Milk (you can use 2% if you want but it tastes the best with whole)
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Collage of ingredients for chocolate gravy



How do you make chocolate gravy from scratch?

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together your dry ingredients (white sugar, cocoa, and flour) getting rid of any lumps.


Add in your milk and whisk to combine the ingredients.


In a medium saucepan melt your tbsp. of butter on medium heat.


Once melted add in your mixed ingredients and continue stirring until thickened.


It will take approximately 5 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and add in your teaspoon of Vanilla.


Pour over into a gravy boat for easy serving.

A white plate topped with a stack of waffles that are drizzled with chocolate gravy. The gravy boat in the background.

u003cbru003eWhy is my chocolate gravy not thickening?u003cbru003eu003cbru003e

Just like any gravy it won’t thicken or take a long time to thicken if you add too much milk or not enough flour. If you feel you have added too much milk then add some more flour. If you added too much flour, add a bit more milk. Add and take away until you get your gravy just right.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e

How long does chocolate gravy last in the fridge?u003cbru003eu003cbru003e

Leftover chocolate gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e

Can you freeze southern chocolate gravy?u003cbru003eu003cbru003e

Yes, allow it to cool completely after cooking, put the gravy into an u003ca href=u0022https://www.amazon.com/Containers-Reusable-Stackable-Storage-Container/dp/B08MLDQ5QK?crid=3NAZDTVK72A6Ju0026amp;keywords=freezer+containeru0026amp;qid=1651841775u0026amp;s=home-gardenu0026amp;sprefix=freezer+container%2Cgarden%2C79u0026amp;sr=1-7u0026amp;linkCode=ll1u0026amp;tag=thgisli03-20u0026amp;linkId=4cb158b56cf497dbc2d4ffbae6d66b91u0026amp;language=en_USu0026amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tlu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 data-type=u0022URLu0022 data-id=u0022https://www.amazon.com/Containers-Reusable-Stackable-Storage-Container/dp/B08MLDQ5QK?crid=3NAZDTVK72A6Ju0026amp;keywords=freezer+containeru0026amp;qid=1651841775u0026amp;s=home-gardenu0026amp;sprefix=freezer+container%2Cgarden%2C79u0026amp;sr=1-7u0026amp;linkCode=ll1u0026amp;tag=thgisli03-20u0026amp;linkId=4cb158b56cf497dbc2d4ffbae6d66b91u0026amp;language=en_USu0026amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tlu0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollowu0022u003eairtight containeru003c/au003e, and place it in the freezer. It will keep up to 3-4 months.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e

Chocolate gravy poured on top of stacked waffles and a white gravy boat set to the side.



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A white plate topped with a stack of waffles that are drizzled with chocolate gravy. The gravy boat in the background.

Southern-Style Chocolate Gravy

Melissa Coleman
Chocolate gravy is a true southern classic staple, an old-fashioned recipe that goes perfectly with hot biscuits, pancakes, and more.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 3 1/2 Tbsps. Cocoa Powder
  • 3 Tbsps Flour
  • 1 1/2 Cups Milk
  • 1 Tbsp Butter
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla

Instructions
 

  • In a medium-sized bowl, mix together your dry ingredients (sugar, cocoa, and flour) getting rid of any lumps.
  • Add in your milk and whisk to combine the ingredients.
  • In a medium-sized saucepan melt your tbsp. of butter on medium heat.
  • Once melted add in your mixed ingredients and continue stirring until thickened. It will take approximately 5 minutes to thicken. 
  • Remove from heat and add in your teaspoon of Vanilla.
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Jennifer

Tuesday 21st of January 2014

Chocolate on pancakes... does life get better than that? YUMMY!!

Paige Nicole

Tuesday 21st of January 2014

That looks delicious! Now, you are killing my "eat healthy" diet, ma'am. :)

Krysten Gautreaux

Monday 20th of January 2014

Yum I need to try this!

Risa Marie

Monday 20th of January 2014

Yuuummmmmmm! definitely trying this tomorrow!

Pamela Graves

Monday 20th of January 2014

One of my favorite things my grandma used to make. I have made it a few times, but my daughter makes it all the time.

Melissa

Monday 20th of January 2014

My husband's grandmother used to make it for him when they would go visit. :) She has since passed so it's a good memory when we have it nowadays.