Mississippi Momma’s Famous Chocolate Cobbler (Laps in Seven)
Some time back Smitty from Mississippi sent a chocolate cobbler recipe. One of my readers, Ms. Cindy, couldn’t find it and asked that I re-post it. It was a hit with her Sunday School class (and also Ranger Dog; see below) so I got Smitty to send it to me again. I call it ‘Mississppi Momma’s Chocolate Cobbler,’ but in the interest of full disclosure she got it from the piano player at church. Smitty not only sent it, but remembered he posted it in the comments around July 4th, and found it in my archives.
Here it is. Oh and after the recipe; the rest of the story.
2 sticks of margarine placed in the pan the cobbler is going to be made in, melt the margarine in the oven
Mix all of this stuff in a bowl
1 1/2 cups of self rising flour( got to be Martha White ain’t it?)
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3/4 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Mix all this good and pour into the pan with the margarine
Next Bowl of real good stuff
1 cup of sugar
5 tablespoons of cocoa( now we are talking)
mix together
sprinkle over the flour mixture you have in the margarine pan
Then 1 1/2 cups of water over the whole thing
Time to bake, I love this
350 degrees for 30 minutes
or if you have a hot oven, according to Momma, 325 for 35 minutes, that’s what makes her momma.
Now for the rest of the story: Keep in mind this is a physician bluegrass fiction blog. The above is a real recipe. And even though the following is fiction, it is a true story.
Last year Ms. Cindy had some folks over to dinner and served up the cobbler for dessert. All the guests loved it. After everyone left, Ranger Dog leaped up on the counter, snatched the bowl in his jaws, and took off to the rec room to watch Rin Tin Tin re-runs. He was getting ready to do his best imitation of ‘Laps in Seven.’ Now that is a bluegrass dog, ’cause as all my friends know Sam Bush was inspired to write the number when he heard his dog lapping up water in perfect time. (Was it 7/8?)
Well, Ms. Cindy took the bowl away from him right away even though there was only a little bit of chocolate left. (The guests had all but licked the bowl clean themselves.) She called the vet to be sure, and they confirmed that not only is chocolate bad for dogs, but once they get a hold of it, they tend to crave more.
The vet’s office was so impressed with Ms. Cindy’s concern for her dog they hired her! Everyone came out good except Ranger Dog is still trying to figure out how to get into that chocolate, but Ms. Cindy’s quick action saved his life.
Anyway, y’all try the chocolate cobbler. I had some when I was in Mississippi and it was excellent, so I can recommend it from experience. Just keep it away from the family dog; they’ll snarf it up if you aren’t careful.
Dr. B
Explore posts in the same categories: Bluegrass Food Network, Holidays, Thought of the Day, WritingTags: chocolate, chocolate cobbler, desserts, recipes
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
December 5, 2009 at 7:57 am
Ranger Dog is always trying new ways to get at that cobbler! I think it started when someone put their bowl on the floor after eating so that good ole Ranger could “clean it up”. Well, after that, he is always sniffing around and looking for ways to get at the cobbler.
Thanks again for the recipe. I am sure that my new Vet friends will love it just as much as Ranger Dog does. We plan to have it for dessert at our Christmas Lunch!
December 5, 2009 at 8:23 am
Cindy,
All the best to you and Ranger both this holiday season. Hey, ask the Vet about chocolate and dogs. I have heard that all my life but I don’t know how true it is.
Vets have it tough; all those different kinds of critters to figure out and work on. We docs only have two; male and female.
Dr. B
December 5, 2009 at 10:42 am
It’s true Dr. B. Chocolate can really be fatal for dogs. Each dog, just like each person is different. But, in general, not a good idea. They do develope a taste for it and if they get into a huge amount, it’s not good at all.
Also, don’t give asprin to cats. It causes kidney failure, which also can be fatal.
As you know though, there are plenty of drugs that can be “shared” with our animal friends. But, only if prescribed by a vet.
December 5, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hey, Doc! I’ve been reading, just not commenting.
I’m wondering – can this cobbler recipe be made with butter instead of margarine?
December 5, 2009 at 11:31 am
Chili,
So good to hear from you. My goodness I’m the wrong fellow to ask on that; I’m just an expert on eating it. Maybe Smitty will ask his momma and write to let us know.
I wanted to tell you I’m closing in on my book. Several publishers are looking it over now. I hope one will say yes, but if they don’t I’ll still get there. I promised you a signed copy and I always keep my promises.
Dr. B
December 5, 2009 at 2:55 pm
You can make it with butter….It is even better!
December 5, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Cindy,
You women folks know everything. I always say I know how to write prescriptions and play the mandolin. My wife knows everything else, and at the office the nurses do. I’m afraid I’m not much of a multi-tasker.
Dr. B
December 5, 2009 at 11:34 am
Cindy,
There is it from the expert, folks. I’d better leave the animal gig to the Vets. I guess we’ll all just have to keep the chocolate cobbler to ourselves and not let the pets participate. What a shame.
Dr. B
December 5, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I soooo LOVE chocolate! I’m very excited to give this recipe a try!
Kim J.
December 5, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Kim,
As a man I feel it not possible for me to be an expert on chocolate but I liked this cobbler a bunch.
Dr. B
December 6, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Doc, I really enjoyed the post and the comments from the Bluegrass Food Network. I think all will enjoy the cobbler, it is sooooo… good. Usually Mom comments on it when she cooks it and she will go into the critique mode. I have to simply say,”Mom,keep on practicing, we will eat the cobbler and let you know”.I am glad that we can enjoy a special dessert around the holidays. Tis the season to get fatter, eat the food it don’t matter.
I loved the story about Ranger dog. Reminds me of a squirrel scene in a movie. Merry Christmas to all. Got to go and call mom. I am getting a “hankering” for some………. she needs to practice.
December 6, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Smitty,
You can’t ever go wrong with chocolate cobbler from mom.
Hope y’all have a blessed holiday. Save some cobbler for me; I’ll be back one day. Look for Darin and Brooke’s new CD soon. I was in the studio for part of the recording. They have a winner here.
Dr. B
December 6, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Just listen to ” The Last Thing on His Mind”- get the acceptance speech ready-what a song-words and writing-versitile
December 7, 2009 at 5:53 am
Smitty,
The magic is there, and the world is getting ready to hear all about it. Stay tuned.
I’ll bring you a signed copy when I come back to Mississippi.
Dr. B
December 8, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hey yall just another thing. This stuff is awfully sweet. So, you can cut down on the sugar some if you want. Just do it in the flour/sugar mixture. Don’t cut it out of the choccolate/sugar mixture. I lowered the ratio of sugar to 3/4 cup and the crust is still plenty sweet…. But, you have to decide for yourself.
December 8, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Cindy,
My guess is some folks might consider a slight reduction in the amount of sugar, but I bet most of the ladies would vote to keep the same amount of chocolate.
Dr. B
December 12, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Sounds like the cobbler is making it’s way around,people are even adjusting it to their taste buds. I suppose if the cobbler is altered, we could say that is from the organ player, she is a little diabetic.
December 12, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Smitty,
It is already on it’s way to world famous in the bluegrass community.
Dr. B