Instructions
Preheat and Melt Butter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stick of butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and put it in the oven just until melted. Remove the dish and set it aside.
Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 ½ cups sugar, 4 tablespoons cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and vanilla extract, and stir until you have a smooth, thick batter. Carefully spoon this batter evenly over the melted butter in the baking dish. Do not stir the batter and butter together.
Add the Topping: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 cups of sugar and ½ cup of cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the batter, covering it as completely as possible.
Create the Sauce: This is the magic step! Slowly and gently pour the 3 cups of boiling water over the entire top of the dish. Again, do not stir. It will look very liquidy—this is correct.
Bake: Carefully place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The top will look set and cake-like, while the bottom will become a rich, gooey sauce.
Cool and Serve: Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly. Scoop into bowls and serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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