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.
I am so sorry for your loss. I agree, at times like that comfort food can be the best thing in the world. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Alice,
I’ve been a reader of your blog for about 9 months and I’m sorry to say, I’ve never left you a comment. I was so sorry to read of your Dad, the accident, and his death. Such a sad and difficult thing to happen at such a generally happy time of year. My heart goes out to you, your mourning, and your work to deal with all the loose-ends of life. The 12th anniversary of my father’s death is fast approaching and my father-in-law died on New Year’s morning this year at 92-1/2. As others have said, the memories and the ‘work’ get easier the farther away one gets. My mother commented when I told her about my father-in-law, “He’s graduated.” That has helped me over the tough times when anyone close has died.
Give yourself time. Give yourself permission to get crabby at times, with the understanding that this can’t be a permanent attitude. Give yourself rest. Allow yourself to be cared for at times rather than always being the caregiver.
Thank you for your gifts to us: your blog, your recipes, and your use of our ears and shoulders. Praying for your healing. k
Oh my goodness, I can’t imagine how good this is. I grew up eating the chocolate cobbler from Cracker Barrel and have been wanting to make one at home. This looks incredible!
That looks like an amazing dish and the textile and the sweet aroma of it all makes it a dish worth having for all purposes.
Hi there Alice!!! It is really so amazing to cook and come up with such beauty. I love to cook and explore different recipes and I always love to try something new in my kitchen. There is so much to learn really in the net and I am glad I came across yours.
i’ve missed you Alice, really, really missed you and i’m glad to see you stepping back into the blogging world a little at a time. and while there are those who only want to read/hear ‘happy, funny’ thoughts, there are many, many more of us who are here to listen, to be your friend and to love you through this transitional ‘new normal’ time. it’s hard, finding this new normal. we had 18 months to say goodbye to my dad 10 years ago, but it was very, very hard. and still is. losing your father so suddenly and tragically will take time to adjust, to find your footing and settle into that ‘new normal’ – we’ll still be here.
Alice, this is sinful. Love it.
I have made this recipe before and I loved it! I made it again today and folded in some fresh raspberries because I was craving chocolate and fruit. Hopefully it turns out well.
Thank you for the wonderful recipes!
Alice, I’m so happy to see this yummy post. I’ve really missed your incredible recipes and photos. Thank you for sharing everything with us, and I hope you and the family are adjusting and doing well.
*HUGS*
Come back slowly, we are all here for you.
I am glad you posted this delicious recipe!
My thoughts and prayers are still with you. Take care. Thanks for the great new recipe.
I have been following your wonderful posts for some time but never commented. I have to pass on what someone shared with me when I was 16 and my daddy died unexpectedly. Grief is like a big hole in a tree in the forest. When you are standing so close to it, the hole is all you can see. As you get a little farther away you begin the see the entire tree. Over time, when you are more removed, you will eventually see the entire forest again….but the hole is still there. Blessings to you!
Just checking in on you. I can totally relate to the weird feeling of wanting some interraction w/ people but not too much. And the rudderless feeling after trying to steer straight and steady through everything. It will all come around, we just have to be gentle with ourselves as we reenter our old/new everyday lives! (btw i’m the one whose dad also recently passed away.) it has helped me to look for something to appreciate in the moment – a patch of sun on the stairs, sparkle on the snow, the aroma of hot coffee, warm clothes from the dryer. 🙂 And to know that lots of prayers/lovingkindess are coming my way from friends & family. i’m sorry you’re going through this, but it helped me to read someone else experiencing the same things i am. Thanks for sharing! Take care.
this is fantastically sinful. i love the idea of a lava cake in a skillet instead of individual! looks absolutely delicious and the perfect way to celebrate nutella.
Welcome back!!! So happy to see you back here. I think most of your readers understand that you are a real person experiencing real life and well, life isn’t all roses. Personally, I rather read your “whines” then worry because I don’t hear from you at all. It is going to take time to get used to your new reality. Ease into it one recipe at a time, be it one a month or one a week. We’ll be here Alice cheering you on. *Hugs* And yes, the cobbler looks divine.
MMMmmm this looks amazing. I want to eat spoonfuls of every photo
A good friend shared your site with me and I was touched by your post. I lost my Dad almost 10 years ago and am a bit teary even now thinking about it. Do what you can each day and save the rest for another day. To be honest I’ll never get over losing my Dad, I’ve just learned to live with it. I wish I had some magic words of wisdom to make you feel better. But I would say cry when you feel like it and talk about it when you feel like it. Life is short and our loved ones make it worthwhile. May you have peace in the days to come.
I’m proud of you because you are controlling the pain of your loss and not letting the pain of your loss control you. It is so okay to be sad and to grieve the loss of your dad. There is definately a grieving process to endure and it hurts. Time will help.
You know, I think there is a huge pressure to be entertaining on social media, that we have to be these caricatures of ourselves and wipe out all the unpleasant things.
I whine on my blog all the time. It’s not like anyone reads it anyway so I feel more free to say what I think. You’re much loved and I’m sure your supporters will understand.
We can’t be witty, funny, food conscious all the time. Life gets in the way. Personally, I’d rather hear about real life. There are plenty of ppl out there with polished social media friendly lives. It would be nice to know them on a real and relatable level once in awhile. Thank you for being honest about your experience. It’s given me some comfort to read about it.
Alice I was pleasantly surprised to see you had a new post! Love and blessings to you as you continue to grieve. We are a strong community of bloggers and we really do help each other get through tough times without even realizing it most days. Take care!!!!
Did you really have to post this in the morning? I am so making this and will crave it all day. Alice, your post brightened my day. I am trying not to be cheesy but it is true.
This is insane, Alice!
Wow, what a dessert! This looks fabulous Alice!
Made this tonight and it was wonderful!! The Nutella adds a great new flavor.
Alice, I totally understand where you’re coming from. Sometimes the weight of new responsibilities can be debilitating, making it impossible to even do the things we love. Give yourself some time and ease back in at your own pace. Things may never feel exactly the same, but they will get better.
You’ve brightened my day just by posting about this incredible dish. Wow! Definitely comfort food at its finest! 🙂