Savory Sweet Life has always been a creative outlet for me. A place for sharing home style dishes with engaging photos. But as the blog grew older, SSL transitioned into a beautiful community of wonderful people (like you!) who shared their results from the recipes, or a personal story of similar dishes, or just encouraging words. In many ways, this site and everyone who supports it has ministered to me way beyond me just sharing recipes. Together we’ve been sharing life as it happens.
We’ve celebrated anniversaries, birthdays, and achievements on SSL. You’ve also walked along side of me during tragic events such as the earthquake in Haiti, my friend Ivory Hut’s (Erika) house burning down, and the loss of my father. When my dad passed away just after Christmas I tangibly had a revelation on how wonderful YOU truly are. All your support, encouragement, and prayers have sustained me. And now I find myself feeling a bit lost and out of sorts.
I’ve learned that taking a month long break is hard to do. I’ve wanted to post something delicious and wonderful to share. But what good is sharing if it doesn’t come from a place of genuine enthusiasm? How can I share recipes and photos if my desire to cook and shoot photos has vanished from my existence? Life has shifted so drastically that my priorities have been rearranged – for better or for worst. It would be so disingenuous to pretend like life is back to normal. I have a new “normal” which looks nothing like how it was before Christmas. I’m not whining, just sharing the reality of how things are for me right now. With everything shifting, I needed to allow myself to let SSL go momentarily until I could get my feet back on the ground. Now that I’m pushing myself to stand on both feet I feel a bit directionless.
My (pregnant) sister Janice and I were having breakfast this morning just processing everything happening around us. She listened to me talk about how I miss writing for this site and how I cannot figure out how to ease myself back including engaging myself back on Social Media. I’ve always thought of Facebook and Twitter as one big, non-stop party. In general I like parties but the thought of having to interact with others is stressful because I don’t want to be the weirdo in the Twittersphere. I don’t want to Tweet out loud how exhausted I am or how there have been days I’ve felt that I’ve hit a brick wall from sorting through my dad’s affairs. Chances are, you don’t want to hear about this either, and I don’t blame you. I much rather tell you about something fun or new I discovered. Instead, I’ve just avoided Social Media with the occasional popping in and just as quick as I check in, I check out.
Getting back to blogging on SSL is the equivalent of coming out of a coma and feeling disoriented. As I shared this with my sister, she didn’t hesitate to tell me that I should make a comfort food dish because she’s smart like that. She knows if I make something that I’ll call her and invite her to come over to eat some with me. Her husband knows if she can have dessert from my house, he won’t have to drive somewhere in the middle of the night to satisfy his pregnant, dessert-seeking wife’s cravings.
So what I have for you is a recipe for Nutella Chocolate Cobbler. It’s inspired by one of the recipes I found on Tasty Kitchen – one of my most favorite recipe sites I have the privilege of being a contributor. I’m easing myself back to Savory Sweet Life one day at a time. Thankfully, I’m not alone. I have you to keep me company and for this, this recipe is dedicated to you (my friends).
This crazy nutella chocolate cobbler is like a molten lava cake except is it baked in a larger baking dish instead of individual bakeware. It’s the perfect comfort food dish when you have a small gathering of people who are sitting back and chatting all night. When the cobbler is ready, remove from the oven and dish it up into bowls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Inspired by by this recipe on Tasty Kitchen
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder, divided
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup Nutella
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1-½ cup hot tap water
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, and ½ cup of white sugar. Stir in milk, Nutella, butter, and vanilla. Mixture will be thick like the texture of peanut butter. Spread mixture into an ungreased 8-inch baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup white sugar, brown sugar, and remaining cocoa. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the batter. Pour the hot water over everything and do not stir. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the center is slightly firm but not fluid like liquid. Spoon mixture into small bowls and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Debra D. says
Genius! This cobbler is sheer genius! Thank you for returning to writing with a dish that makes me determined to try it out!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
What a fabulous looking dish! I am totally craving Nutella now. 🙂
Loved reading your post and getting an update on how things are going… So good to hear from you!
Michelle says
Don’t push yourself, Alice. One step at a time. You keep walking and bits of peace will catch up to you.
Madeline Moy says
I just changed my Twitter avatar to the photo of the Nutella cobbler to show my support for Alice, and I think it would be cool if others did too!
kamran siddiqi says
Welcome back, my friend! *big hug* You had me at “nutella” My stomach is crying for some nutella right now.
Beautiful post!!
Cookin' Canuck says
I’m so glad to so you back here, Alice. You have to remember that grief is a process and you can’t expect yourself to bounce back to life the way it was before you lost your dad. I think I speak for all of your readers when I say that we are not here to judge, just to support you. The only correct way to heal is the way that feels right to you. We love you!
This cobbler is above and beyond fantastic! What a treat this would be to serve to my family.
Jenny Flake says
Whoa! I might stop what I am doing just to make this gorgeous pot of goodness! Welcome back Alice 🙂
Chelsey (Cookteen) says
Oh my goodness this looks delicious : )
Maggy@ThreeManyCooks says
MY MOUTH IS WATERING!!!! I absolutely must make this.
NanaBread (Jeanne) says
The recipe is incredible, but the biggest gift is having you back. Bloggers are a circle of friends, but bloggers we love are like family. And that means we care about each other in good times and bad, and we want to share your joys and your sorrows. I can’t speak for others, but I will say that I am happy to see you post, and will be there whether you’re sharing a recipe or sharing your fears and concerns. Either way, I’m all in.
Gerry says
Happy to have you back, even if you are not yet feeling 100% “back”. You are the boss of you, so don’t sweat any of this other stuff until you feel more yourself. And I love the comfort food! Yum!
Jimi says
This looks like the perfect treat for our snow day! Thanks for sharing. I’m inspired.
Holly says
Hi Alice! I have subscribed to your blog for a long time now and have always admired what you do. I can’t recall if I’ve ever commented, but I just couldn’t not comment again on this post. I’ve been following along in spirit and thinking of you, but staying silent and in the back of the room. All because of what you just described that you are feeling. I didn’t have anything good to say, just enjoyed your posts and didn’t speak up. Today I cried when I read this. I’ve been grieving on and off for the past (almost a year now), but not the loss of an actual person, but more the loss of an expectation. Our daughter was born last Valentine’s Day with Down syndrome. We were expecting any number of problems, but not that. It was, and sometimes still is, crushing. Even though I really wouldn’t trade her or who she is for anything in the world. She is the light and heart of our family. I wanted to tell you thank you for so beautifully expressing how you feel. I hope that writing it out helps you as much as reading it has done for me. I know they say time heals, and it does, but I also know that the feelings of loss can never completely go away. I would just encourage you to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep remembering your Dad and all the good memories. They will eventually be your biggest comfort – after all, what an incredible tribute to him and your family for there to have been such love. Hold that to you when you are feeling down. And hug your kids – it helps! Thank you again for being brave and sharing! Sorry for the super long comment – I guess I was saving up!
MJ says
Wonderful to see this post and know you are still able to do what you love, creating such mouth watering and comforting treats for those you love, even in the midst of your grief. Proud of you- Take one step at a time and know that we are all cheering for you! Thanks for this post, Alice!
Madeline Moy says
Alice,
Thanks for your post–I know it probably wasn’t easy. And thank you for this amazing recipe–I can’t wait to make it. Everyone is sending you love and support!
Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy says
Nutella is definitely comfort food -I’d never thought of putting it in a cobbler though. Would you do something different next time to make the topping more crunchy/cobbler-like or did you prefer that consistency? (your return to blogging coincided with World Nutella Day…just in time!)
Wenderly says
It’s so great to see you back Alice. ((((Big hugs))) to you. One day at a time…one step at a time…that is the way I look at healing. Looks like you’ve taken the first step! Good for you, keep walking. Before you know it you’ll be in a different place.
This looks delectable to say the least love!
Julie says
I am *so* making this gluten free as soon as I get a new jar of nutella!!
Elita @ Blacktating says
Welcome back! This looks delicious, you know I love my Nutella!
Double Dipped Life says
This looks fabulous! I’ve learned with my blog that you just do what you can- and what makes you happy!
CarolinaGirl says
Oh my! I could eat the whole pan! Glad to have you back!
Melynda@Moms Sunday Cafe says
Good to see you again, and what a great recipe to begin with. Love chocolate cobbler, this one sounds great.
Jessica @ How Sweet says
So glad to see you posting Alice, and I think a comforting recipe couldn’t be more perfect. I have made the chocolate cobbler too and it is incredible. I can only imagine how delicious it would be with nutella.
Kelli says
That looks divine! Glad you’re back. Not sure if I ever commented before, but I’m usually around.
‘Normal’ is simply what you make of it.
Shawn says
Aren’t sisters the absolute best?!
I’ll try holding off until Valentine Day to make this dessert. If I could put love on a dessert plate, it would be this creation. Thanks…