Most of our daily problems can be solved with a bite of Southern comfort food, but sometimes fried chicken, sweet tea and barbecue just won't cut it. If you're sick of the same ol' down-home specialties, try putting new spins on your favorite dishes like Little Big Town singer Kimberly Schlapman does on her show, Kimberly's Simply Southern.

Whether it's a surprising dash of cocoa in a savory dish or some maple syrup to cool down spicy chicken, we guarantee you won't be bored with your comfort food again.

A tablespoon of cocoa balances out the cayenne pepper in Kimberly's dry rub, and instead of big beef ribs, she opts for spareribs instead. When topped with smoked barbecue sauce, the ribs fit right in with your favorite Southern classics.

Pooh Bear would appreciate this honey-spiked sweet tea, which is equally perfect for sipping on your front porch or while perched on your kitchen counter by the air conditioner.

Fried chicken can be both sweet and spicy thanks to a mix of Tobasco sauce and maple syrup. Throw it on a slice of good ol' white bread with pickles and you have the perfect meal.

Sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast is great, but for dessert, turn to chocolate gravy. When poured over freshly made flaky biscuits, it's heavenly.

Elevate cornbread with a spicy Cajun-flavored butter. Your tastebuds won't regret it.

For more Southern food favorites, check out Kimberly's Simply Southern on Saturdays at 3:30pm ET.