Yes, that’s right. Chocolate gravy. Quinn had never heard of chocolate gravy when we met, but I quickly introduced him and he’s been much happier ever since. Basically, imagine chocolate with the consistency of gravy. I am quick to tell you that I don’t like gravy at all. Not even a little. But, chocolate gravy… well, that’s another story. I mean, just look at it. Thick and chocolate-y. It’s more than wonderful, and I’m not sure any words I can use here would do it justice.
Let’s get the biscuits out of the way first. These are extra simple, but they are a perfect match with the gravy. This is another recipe from Paula Deen, with only one modification - more cream cheese. Combine 2 cups of Bisquick or other baking mix and 4 ounces of cream cheese. A pastry blender works beautifully. Add enough mik to moisten the dough. I usually use 1/2 to 1 tablespoon. It’s really a preference thing. Put the dough on a lightly floured surface, and knead it a few times. Roll out the dough to whatever thickness you like, cut out, and place on a greased/sprayed/Silpat-ed baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until browned.
While the biscuits are cooking, there’s just enough time to whip up some chocolate gravy. I admit that I don’t know the exact origin of this recipe. I’ve tried many recipes over the years, and this one works best for me.
In a small saucepan, whisk together 1/3 cup of sugar, 1 & 1/2 tablespoons of flour, 1 & 1/2 tablespoons of cocoa, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/2 cup of water. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat. Be sure to whisk constantly. Continue to boil until the mixture thickens. Stir in 1/4 cup of butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well and ladle over warm biscuits.
This is one of our favorite lazy day breakfasts. For those of you unfamiliar with chocolate gravy, I suggest that you become familiar with it as soon as possible. It is definitely one of my favorite things, and an honorable mention to my guide to the globe. It’s good on any kind of biscuits, but the cream cheese biscuits are especially good. Feel free to use it on ice cream, shortbread, or whatever else you can think of.
34 responses so far ↓
1 Alicat // Sep 10, 2006 at 3:03 am
how delicious! I’m trying this tomorrow morning at breakfast.
2 connie // Sep 10, 2006 at 7:50 am
i used to bake a lot, but for some reason i haven’t recently [i think its because usually i bake when i'm stressed and since school hasn't picked up yet, im not stressed] but your recipes are constantly inspiring me. i’m getting that ansty feeling… i think i’ll bake soon!
3 jennifer // Sep 10, 2006 at 11:12 am
Hope you enjoy it, Alicat!
Connie, thanks for that very nice compliment!
4 Claire // Sep 10, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Very creative! Question - Do you know how to make biscuits that look like the frozen biscuits (tall and puffy, crispy outside and soft inside)? Although homemade biscuits are great, they always seem to be “flat” and a little dense. Don’t get me wront, there is nothing like a homemade biscuit, but I just really like the look and feel of those frozen ones! I have yet to see a homemade one that is like the frozen ones. Maybe it’s just a mass production thing! (One of my classmates asked me this the other day and I’ve been wondering ever since)
5 jennifer // Sep 10, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Claire, one trick is not to roll out the dough too thin. The thicker the dough is, the thicker your biscuits will be. Also, shortening makes biscuits very flaky, much like store-bought biscuits. Lard even more so, but most of us don’t use it because, well, it’s lard.
6 Ivonne // Sep 10, 2006 at 7:09 pm
I think anyone would be happier after having learned of chocolate gravy!
7 Nuwanda // Sep 11, 2006 at 12:36 pm
My Granny Gray told me, “use a wooden spoon and heavy pan” when making he cholcolate gravy. My memory fails me, do you do that when making yours? The last time I made the gravy, it was a bit too runny. Your picture looked like it had a very nice consistency.
8 peabody // Sep 11, 2006 at 3:18 pm
What a fun idea!
9 jennifer // Sep 11, 2006 at 10:04 pm
My dear Nuwanda, I did use a heavy pan (Le Creuset) but a whisk instead of a wooden spoon. I had your (or Granny Gray’s) recipe at some point, but this one is a bit different if I’m not mistaken.
10 Dalene // Oct 27, 2006 at 4:06 pm
I was amazed when I typed “chocolate gravey” into the search box to come up with a recipe. In Arkansas in the 1940s my mother made us chocolate gravy and hot biscuits as a treat for breakfast. The cream cheese biscuits sounds like a nice fit.
11 brooke // Feb 12, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I love choclate gravy and biscuits.
The creamy gravy with big hunky biscuits!!
12 Wende // Feb 20, 2007 at 12:09 am
Wow… just found your blog and am loving it.
Chocolate gravy is a huge tradition in my house. My daddy used to get up every Sunday morning and make it for us. When I brought my husband home to eat one Sunday, his Danish eyebrows hit the ceiling… he wouldn’t touch the stuff initially. However, he’s now the primary cook in our family and my Daddy shared the recipe.
Anyhow (sorry for so many words!) I’ve always thought of it as a Southern tradition–as it’s mainly other Southerners who seem to know about it. I’ve yet to meet a Northerner that doesn’t think I’m crazy for mentioning it!
13 jennifer // Feb 20, 2007 at 9:20 am
I’m glad you found me, Wende! I agree with you that chocolate gravy is a Southern thing. In any case, it’s certainly a delicious thing!
14 theresa // Feb 24, 2007 at 8:51 pm
my mother was from arkansas and she made the best chocolate gravy and biscuits…this southern california girl grew up loving it but i never got the recipe from her and now that she is gone I miss it….am going to try your recipe asap
15 jennifer // Feb 25, 2007 at 11:35 am
Theresa, I hope this recipe reminds you of your mother’s chocolate gravy. It really is just one of the best things.
16 Southern Comfort: Chocolate Gravy over Cream Cheese Biscuits // Jun 17, 2007 at 9:11 pm
[...] This one comes from Jennifer at Bake or Break, and in case you’re not familiar with the delicacy that is chocolate gravy, she explains: Basically, imagine chocolate with the consistency of gravy. I am quick to tell you that I don’t like gravy at all. Not even a little. But, chocolate gravy… well, that’s another story. I mean, just look at it. Thick and chocolate-y. It’s more than wonderful, and I’m not sure any words I can use here would do it justice. [...]
17 harmonious1 // Jun 26, 2007 at 11:20 am
Wow wow wow. My husband and I both grew up in Alabama eating chocolate gravy and biscuit. We just assumed EVERYBODY did. We raised our kids on it. It was a weekend treat. I did not know it came from Arkansas, but my maternal grandmother had roots there. When we moved out west, boy did we gross out some people. No one out here gets it! So I would say its a southEASTERN delicacy. Bacon or sausage is the perfect accompaniment.
BTW: My Grammaw would take the leftover (yes there was leftover, because she made a LOT) and pour it over the broken up leftover biscuit. Stir it real good and put it in the fridge. We call it “Cold Biscuit Pudding”. Thanks for the memories!
18 Susan Knauff // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:22 pm
I was raised on chocolate Gravy and Biscuits! It’s been a mainstay and a tradition in our family for as long as I can remember. I’ve never used vanilla or butter at the end in my gravy… or the (Yummie) Cream Cheese Biscuits (just well buttered ones) But I will be trying this -I can only Get Better!!
19 Susan Knauff // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I was raised on chocolate Gravy and Biscuits! It’s been a mainstay and a tradition in our family for as long as I can remember. I’ve never used vanilla or butter at the end in my gravy… or the (Yummie) Cream Cheese Biscuits (just well buttered ones) But I will be trying this -It can only Get Better!!
20 Dawn // Jul 25, 2007 at 1:28 am
I have wondered many times if my family was alone in their love of chocolate gravy & biscuits. My recipe was passed down from my mom, from her mom, and her mom, who got it from a lady she knew who lived in Arkansas. My family actually comes from around the “bootheel” area in Missouri. I had even heard that at one time a small resteraunt in Poplar Bluff , MO had it on their menu. Haven’t had the opportunity to confirm that yet. Now I serve this to my kids. It not only tastes good, but it makes me feel kind of special knowing that the recipe comes from our family ties and is very localized.
21 Sharesa // Oct 12, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Wow, I just decided to do a search, I did not know how many folks knew about and ate biscuits and chocolate gravy. My mom was born in Ill. Her mom in Oklahoma. Kids used to line up at the door to spend the night on Saturday because my mother would make this luscious meal on Sunday morning. My recipe starts with a basic white sauce adding cocoa and sugar, it looks a bit darker then the photograph here. My favorite is baking soda biscuits with my gravy, a sucker for tradition I suppose but I’m goint to try the cream cheese. Thanks
22 jennifer // Oct 12, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Sharesa, chocolate gravy is one my all-time favorite things. In fact, your comment today has reminded me that it’s been far too long since I made it. Perhaps I can remedy that this weekend.
Thanks for stopping by!
23 ann // Dec 22, 2007 at 6:02 am
Am from Arkansas and this one of our family fav.
Here is my recipe for Chocolate Gravy.
I mix up a few batches at a time. Then just add milk to make. It keeps well in an jar for a long time.
Most people don’t add enough cocoa to make it rich and chocolatey.
Chocolate Gravy
4 tablespoons of cornstarch
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
3 cups of milk
Mix cornstarch, sugar and cocoa powder together,
Gradually stir in milk. Cook over low heat until thick.
Stir constantly, as it will and scorch easily.
Serve over hot biscuits with butter.
24 jennifer // Dec 22, 2007 at 10:27 am
Ann, your recipe does indeed sound rich and chocolatey. I like the idea of keeping the dry ingredients mixed up and ready to go. Thanks for sharing!
25 Quick Sticky Biscuits // Jan 1, 2008 at 11:36 pm
[...] Cream Cheese Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy [...]
26 Janice // Jan 13, 2008 at 4:57 pm
When I was in Jr. High and lived in Tennessee with my parents, I had a friend whose mom used to make bisquits and chocolate gravy on the weekends. It was incredible and when I tell people about it . . . they think I’m nuts. I’m am so excited to find this recipe and am going to try it tomorrow morning! My kids have never tried it; but, have heard me talk about it. Now they’ll get to finally know what I’ve been talking about!! Thanks!
27 jennifer // Jan 13, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Janice, I hope you and your kids enjoy the chocolate gravy!
28 Janice // Jan 18, 2008 at 12:22 am
Jennifer, My kids loved the biscuits and the chocolate gravy! The gravy was a little darker and less Milk Chocolatey (is that a word) than what I remembered. So, I made it again tonight and used 1 cup of milk instead of 1/2 c milk and 1/2 c water. I also added 1/2 c sugar instead of 1/3 c sugar. The color, thickness and taste ended up being “exactly” what I remembered! Thanks and have a great weekend everyone!
29 jennifer // Jan 18, 2008 at 7:58 am
So glad you liked it! I don’t think I’ve ever known two people who made it the same way. Anyway you make it, it’s certainly delicious!
30 Christy // Jan 29, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I had to pull out my Chocolate Gravy Recipe to compare to yours! At first I was like, what? But then I realized mine basically is yours (tripled) sans butter, and mine calls for all milk & no water + a dash of salt. My recipe is from a good ol’ Arkansas lady who must’ve needed to make a lot! I’m so glad to here you say, you’re also not a gravy person!
31 jennifer // Jan 29, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Christy, it’s always nice to meet another chocolate gravy fan. It’s the best, isn’t it?
32 jen // Feb 4, 2008 at 10:50 pm
i had bought some frozen cream cheese biscuits and loved them so much that i was going to look up a recipe…this was on the first page in google…omg i can’t wait to surprise my husband with this…he knows i’m going to make the biscuits but not this…i’m not going to tell him it chocolate either…just a gravy lol…also i don’t know why anyone would be grossed out by a chocolate gravy…not much different than a chocolate sauce or syrup…thanks ^^
33 jennifer // Feb 5, 2008 at 12:10 am
Jen, I hope you and your husband enjoy the biscuits and gravy!
34 Chocolate Chip Muffins // Apr 22, 2008 at 10:21 pm
[...] Cream Cheese Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy [...]
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