If you’ve never tasted the magic of Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits, you’re in for a treat unlike anything else. This beloved Southern classic brings together impossibly tender, fluffy biscuits with a silky, rich, and deeply chocolatey gravy poured right on top. It walks the delightful line between breakfast and dessert, and just one bite will have you hooked — it’s comfort food at its most decadent, yet it comes together easily with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need fancy or fussy ingredients for Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits. Each pantry staple works as a team here, delivering flavor, texture, and that signature chocolaty color. Take a peek at the essentials and why they matter:
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The soul of the gravy — use a good quality for a deep, satisfying chocolate flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (for both gravy and biscuits): Thickens the gravy and forms the backbone of light, pillowy biscuits.
- Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness that balances out cocoa’s natural bitterness, creating the ultimate gravy.
- Whole Milk: Adds creaminess and helps make the gravy luxuriously smooth and pourable.
- Unsalted Butter: For buttery flavor and richness in both the biscuits and gravy — don’t skimp here!
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash at the end draws out the chocolate’s best notes and adds depth.
- Pinch of Salt: Essential in both components — a little enhances every flavor, especially the chocolate.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leaveners give your biscuits their heavenly rise and tender crumb.
- Buttermilk: Classic Southern tang and moisture — makes the biscuits ultra-soft. Store-bought or homemade both work.
How to Make Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
Step 1: Mix the Biscuit Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for your biscuits. This dry blend is essential for even leavening and a tender texture. Cold butter is the trick: cube it and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until you’ve got a coarse, pebble-like mixture. Stir in the cold buttermilk just until combined — be gentle to keep the biscuits fluffy!
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Biscuits
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead very gently, no more than two or three times. You want it just barely holding together. Pat the dough into a one-inch-thick round, then use a biscuit cutter (or the rim of a glass) to cut out your biscuits. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a hot oven for about 12 to 15 minutes, until golden and irresistible.
Step 3: Make the Chocolate Gravy
To make the chocolate gravy, set a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Gradually whisk in the milk, smoothing out any lumps. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens into a glossy, spoon-coating gravy — this usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla for that signature Southern finish.
Step 4: Serve Up the Magic
Once your biscuits are piping hot and the luscious gravy is ready, split open a biscuit (or two), pile them on a plate, and pour a generous cascade of chocolate gravy over each. The combination of warm, fluffy biscuit and silky chocolate sauce is pure nostalgic joy, whether for a weekend breakfast or a special dessert any time of day.
How to Serve Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
Garnishes
If you want to elevate your Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits just a little further, try a few simple garnishes. A dollop of freshly whipped cream, a scattering of sliced bananas, or a handful of toasted pecans brings extra texture, flavor, and a festive touch. Even just a dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty, sweet finish.
Side Dishes
While Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits are a star all on their own, they can be perfectly complemented with salty, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or fresh fruit on the side. The savory-sweet contrast makes breakfast feel balanced and utterly satisfying, whether you’re serving a crowd or just treating yourself.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch gatherings or special occasions, stack mini biscuits with chocolate gravy in between for a towering treat, or serve in individual ramekins for a charming, personal touch. You might even repurpose leftover gravy as a drizzle over vanilla ice cream or pancakes — anything that could use a little chocolate love!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits left (which is always a big “if”), store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keep the gravy covered in the refrigerator for up to three days, ensuring it stays fresh and ready for another delicious round.
Freezing
Baked biscuits freeze beautifully: simply let them cool completely, then pack into a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. For the chocolate gravy, you can freeze it in a tightly sealed container. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge and give it a good stir before reheating to restore its creamy texture.
Reheating
To reheat the biscuits, just pop them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp outside. Gently warm the chocolate gravy on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring frequently, so it becomes velvety and pourable again — no one wants lumpy gravy!
FAQs
Can I use store-bought biscuits for Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time or prefer the convenience, store-bought biscuits work great. Just bake them according to package directions, then slather them with the homemade chocolate gravy for that classic experience.
What type Breakfast, Dessert
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder gives you the classic taste and color, but you can use Dutch-process if you like a milder, deeper chocolate flavor. Just avoid sweetened cocoa mixes — you want to control the sweetness yourself.
Can I make Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits dairy free?
Yes! Substitute plant-based butter and use your favorite non-dairy milk (like almond or oat) for both the gravy and the biscuits. The texture and flavor will still be delicious, just with a slightly different character.
How thick should the chocolate gravy be?
The chocolate gravy should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, but still pourable. If it gets too thick, whisk in a splash more milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Is this recipe very sweet?
Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits are definitely on the sweeter side, but the biscuits themselves and a pinch of salt in the gravy help balance the flavors. If you’d like it less sweet, simply reduce the sugar a little and taste as you go.
Final Thoughts
I can’t say enough about how much joy Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits brings to the table — it’s the kind of dish that makes any morning special. Whether you’re carrying on a family tradition or discovering it for the first time, I hope you give this rich, comforting Southern recipe a try and share it with the people you love.
