Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Pour 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted into a 9"x 9” square baking dish and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder.
Pour in 1 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and stir to combine. Then add 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir again to combine.
Pour batter over the melted butter in the pan and lightly spread the mixture to the edges without mixing it into the butter.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup cocoa powder then sprinkle it on top of the cobbler. (It will seem like a lot but use all of it.)
Pour 1 1/2 cups hot water evenly over top (do not stir) then bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes, or until the top forms a crust and has dried out. Note: I like to put the baking dish on top of a larger baking pan just in case there is any overspill as it bakes.
Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving with vanilla ice cream or your favorite topping.
Video
Notes
You can easily double this recipe by using a 9"x13" baking pan to serve more people.
Put a large baking pan underneath the baking dish to catch any possible overspill while baking.
Top this recipe with your favorite toppings like ice cream, caramel syrup, fruit, etc.
You need HOT water to pour over the whole thing at the end, this is essential to the recipe.
This produces a gooey center, this is normal. It almost will seem like an unbaked cake but that is the fudgy-ness of this cobbler.
We like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe but you can use milk chocolate or even dark chocolate if you prefer.