Come over to the dark side…of fall baking that is, with my darkest chocolate recipes. Because pumpkin spice and apple butter can only take you so far ~ and after a while you’re gonna crave a little chocolate!
Are you ready for some chocolate? Cause I’m hitting you up with my best stuff, this isn’t chocolate for sissies! In fact these deep dark chocolate recipes are the best of the best 🙂
tips for getting the richest chocolate flavor in your baking ~
- This is an obvious one, but always use the best quality chocolate that you can, especially in recipes where it’s really going to shine. My vote for best bar chocolate for baking is either Lindt or Ghirardelli.
- For a super-duper deep dark chocolate look and flavor, I love to use Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder. It’s a blend that’s specially formulated to yield the darkest possible chocolate color.
- I also always like to use dark chocolate chips for recipes that call for regular or semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you’re a dark chocolate lover, it’s an easy swap that results in better flavor in most recipes. My choice for chocolate chips is almost always Nestle Dark Chocolate Morsels. I think they have the best texture and flavor by far. They’re smooth and rich as opposed to dry and chalky.
Flourless Belgian Chocolate Cake
This flourless cake is easy to make and has the most irresistible texture. Leaving out the flour just means more room for chocolate!
Pro tip: if you’re looking for rich chocolate flavor in a dessert, consider going flourless. Like cream, flour dilutes flavors and can take away from the pure chocolate experience.
Dark Chocolate Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
This chocolatey take on pumpkin bread is moist, delicious, and totally unexpected. The frosting is pure ganache ~ wow!
Pro tip: try using chocolate ganache in place of regular frosting or glaze in your chocolate cakes and quick breads. The chocolatey payoff is huge and it turns a so-so dessert into a show stopper.
The Ultimate Drinking Chocolate
I’ve been on a lifelong hunt for the ultimate drinking chocolate, and my quest ended here, with this luscious recipe!
Pro tip: bar chocolate melts easier and better than chocolate chips. Just chop it into pieces to encourage the melting process.
Hot Chili Pepper Truffles
Chocolate and chili are a great pairing, the Aztecs were way ahead of their time on this. These truffles have that famously silky mouth feel and deep rich chocolatey flavor…but then they hit you with a little burst of heat at the end.
Pro tip: chocolate is a complex flavor that is so much more versatile than we give it credit for. Try swapping out your regular vanilla extract for some spice, maybe chili powder, cayenne, or even cinnamon.
Double Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Don’t be afraid to go bold with chocolate in a recipe. These dramatic cookies are a choc-a-holic’s dream.
Pro tip: there are different types of cocoa powder and each one yields different results…for the deepest, almost black chocolate, I always turn to Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder, it’s formulated specifically to give this rich color.
Will You Marry Me Brownies
Brownies might be one of the most perfect vehicles for chocolate ever invented, especially when you double down with chocolate chips in the batter.
Pro tip: adding chocolate chips is one of my favorite ways to boost chocolate flavor in a recipe, they’re perfectly formulated to give you little molten pockets of yumminess.
Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge
This quick and easy fudge comes together using delicious chocolate hazelnut spread.
Pro tip: toast your nuts before folding into your fudge. This goes for almost any nuts you use in any recipe, the flavor will triple!
Dark Chocolate Truffle Tart
If you’re looking for the richest, most luxe dessert ever, you’ve found it. Make it for your very very best buds!
Pro tip: salt brings out the best in chocolate! Sprinkle a bit of sea salt over your chocolate-iest desserts and see.
Perfect Chocolate Pudding
One bite and you’ll wonder why you haven’t been make this all your life. It’s silky and rich and, yeah, you’ve been missing out!
Pro tip: a simple chocolate dessert gains gourmet status just by changing out ordinary chocolate for a premium brand or artisan chocolate.
Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Banana bread has always been homey and delicious, but now it’s downright dangerous.
Pro tip: you can ‘chocolatize’ many of your favorite non-chocolate recipes with great success. Quick breads and muffins are a good place to start experimenting. You can replace some of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder, and add chocolate chips for good measure.
classic chocolate cake
For a chocoholic there isn’t anything better than a classic chocolate layer cake, and this recipe is the best I’ve found. Don’t lose it!
Pro tip: vegetable oil tops butter when it comes to making a moist, velvety cake.
Dark Chocolate Detox Bites
Everybody knows dark chocolate can be part of a hearty healthy diet, and I love to end my day with just a bite or two.
Pro tip: dark chocolate is filled with powerful antioxidants, and the darker the chocolate, the better it is for you, so go for it!
Would ganache on the marry me brownies be too much?
I think so, but that’s just my opinion…go with your gut 🙂
I Love your new website.
Thanks so much Janet ~ I do too!!
Wow! Where to start?!! And yes, apples, pumpkins, and chocolate1
Thanks
The holy trinity of Fall 🙂
These all look delicious, and if all the other recipes I’ve tried of yours are anything to go by, they WILL be delicious! I speak from experience that the chocolate shortbreads are phenomenal. As are the Detox Bites. Dark chocolate, definitely the way to go in my book.
These chocolate recipes look so so awesome, Sue! I’m not sure where I would want to start, but i have those shortbread cookies on my short list for sure! Thanks!
I never miss chocolate recipes! Each looks fabulous!
My deepest lightest congratulation – you reminded me to make once more your wonderful truffles
everybody loves . So nice to have your emails Sue!
Thanks Alexandra!
In Australia, we don’t get Hershey’s cocoa powder. The best I can think of would be Dutch cocoa powder. Is this what you would consider the best to giving the results you describe when using Hershey’s cocoa powder?
Yes, you could substitute Dutched cocoa powder, for sure.
Those dark chocolate detox bites, seriously, are SO beautiful! I want to make them!
Have you ever tried the Montezuma’s absolute black chocolate bars? They sell them at Trader Joe’s – 100% cocoa solids with added cocoa nibs. I wonder if they’d melt to make those detox bars?
I JUST bought that chocolate on my last TJs run, a few days ago, and it’s almost too bitter for me, and that’s saying a lot! But you could definitely use them for these detox bites, just be aware that the texture won’t be as smooth.
Seeing an email from you always makes me smile because I know a good recipe is usually a click away.
Awwwww 🙂