My Mamaw is one of a kind and she passed this homemade chocolate gravy recipe down to my mom and my mom passed it down to me. Trust me, you will want to know how to make homemade chocolate gravy like my Mamaw!
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What is chocolate gravy?
I know, you are wondering, what in the world is chocolate gravy? It really is gravy that is chocolate. Think chocolate fountain, chocolate pudding, and chocolate topping all in one. Oh man, do I need to say more?
Our brief family history regarding chocolate gravy
My Great Grandma, who was born in 1909, taught my Mamaw how to make this recipe. My Great Grandma was an orphan and my Mamaw doesn’t know for sure who taught her mom, but she believes that it was my Great Grandma’s aunt that she was raised by. While living in California, my Great Grandma lost her parents at a very young age. Her and her siblings were sent back to Tennessee and the aunts took those young kiddos into their individual homes and raised them. My Mamaw is going to tell me the rest of that story soon. Mamaw grew up in the hills of Tennessee and this recipe was somewhat unique to their home.
My Mamaw believes that her mom was taught how to make it from her aunt that raised her from a very young age. We consider it as one of our most treasured passed down recipes. My Great Grandma passed it to my Mamaw, she passed it down to my mom, my mom to me, and me to my children. This recipe has been in our family for over one hundred years. It has been introduced to a lot of families through our family.
She went on to tell me about a chef that was from a local town, Scottsburg, IN, that worked in the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. Mamaw said that he served chocolate gravy and biscuits as part of their breakfast buffet.
How did my Mamaw’s family eat chocolate gravy?
They ate it with biscuits only, buttery biscuits to be specific. A lot of butter is what makes it so good. It is especially special to our family.
When do you serve chocolate gravy?
My mom has been making this for as long as I can remember. She gets up early on Christmas Eve morning and makes this for all of us. It is so delicious. She has made it part of our Christmas family tradition. We look forward to it every year. There is something about a tradition that makes things even more special. I usually make it during the summer because I have more time. I love the expression on my boys’ faces when they smell the biscuits and see the saucepan on the stovetop. They know what they are going to be getting for breakfast and they both love it.
The main tip about how to eat it
My Mamaw would say to make sure you use plenty of butter for the biscuits and the gravy. When I asked her about what she would tell someone she laughed and said, “Here we go again with more butter, when you eat it, pull the biscuits apart and put a pad of butter on each half. It’s NOT a healthy dish, but it’s so good.”
What does homemade chocolate gravy taste like?
It has a rich buttery chocolate taste that comes from the butter and cocoa. I love the hint of salt that you can taste in it.
Why you will love learning how to make this homemade chocolate gravy recipe
It is a crowd pleaser and you will be looking forward to the next time you get to make it. You will love creating something that is unusual and versatile. You can use it for a topping or dip too. This recipe will take you back in time.
Can I make chocolate gravy ahead of time?
Fresh is the way to go, but you can make this ahead of time. You can reheat it to make some pretty good leftovers.
Can you double the recipe?
You can double and triple this recipe. For big events, you may need even more than that. I always double it when I make it. To double it, just double the ingredients exactly and it will turn out great.
Ingredients
White granulated sugar
Cocoa powder
Flour
Salt
2% Milk (you could use whole milk)
Vanilla extract
Butter
Tools You May Need
Medium to large saucepan
Whisk
How to Make Homemade Chocolate Gravy Like My Mamaw Passed Down to Us!
Pour two cups of milk into a medium sized saucepan and start heating over medium heat. You are just giving it a head start to start warming up before you add in your dry ingredients. Around five-ish minutes will do the trick.
In a separate bowl, mix together ⅔ cup granulated sugar, a dash of salt, 3 tbs. all-purpose flour, and 3 tbs. cocoa powder.
Whisk the dry ingredient mixture into the heating milk.
Continue to stir and cook over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until it reaches the thickness that you want.
Remove from the heat when it reaches the desired thickness.
Mix in 1 tsp. vanilla extract.
Add in ½ stick of butter.
Stir until the butter is melted.
Serve over buttery biscuits.
Storage
IF you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Tips
Give yourself plenty of time to make the gravy. You don’t want the milk to burn. Slow and steady wins the race here.
Serve this with buttery biscuits.
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Homemade Chocolate Gravy
Equipment
- medium to large saucepan
- whisk
- measuring cups/spoons
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbs. all-purpose flour (you can substitute with cornstarch)
- 3 tbs. cocoa powder
- dash salt
- 2 cups milk (2% or whole)
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour two cups of milk into a medium sized saucepan and start heating over medium heat. You are just giving it a head start to start warming up before you add in your dry ingredients. Around five-ish minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix together ⅔ cup granulated sugar, a dash of salt, 3 tbs. all-purpose flour, and 3 tbs. cocoa powder.
- Whisk the dry ingredient mixture into the heating milk.
- Continue to stir and cook over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until it reaches the thickness that you want.
- Remove from the heat when it reaches your desired thickness.
- Mix in 1 tsp. vanilla extract.
- Add in ½ stick of butter.
- Stir until the butter is melted.
- Serve over buttery biscuits.
I want all your family recipes! If your Mama or Grandma taught you… I know they’re great! Following for more,….Especially homemade rolls & homemade noodles & chicken🥰🥰
They really are great! Thank you for following and try them out;) Enjoy!
I’m definitely going to try this recipe! I first heard about chocolate gravy from a friend in TN. They went on and on about it. I have wanted to try it ever since. Thanks for posting this!
So glad you are going to try it! It really is delicious. Enjoy!