15 Chocolate Desserts So Good You Will Want to Lick the Plate

Some cravings cannot be fixed with fruit. When only chocolate will do, these chocolate desserts are ready to answer the call. They range from five minute treats to weekend showstoppers, and every slide includes a simple recipe with easy steps. Find even more treats in our dessert galleries..

Chocolate Desserts Do Not Get More Dramatic Than Black Forest Cake

Black forest cake is the queen of chocolate desserts. Layers of moist chocolate sponge, whipped cream and tart cherries are covered in a glossy chocolate glaze that drips down the sides. It is the cake people remember from birthdays and family celebrations long after the last slice is gone. Make it once and you will be asked for it every year..

You will need: 1 box or homemade chocolate cake (two 8 inch layers), 2 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 can cherry pie filling, 4 ounces dark chocolate and 1/2 cup cream for the glaze.

How to make it: Bake and cool the cake layers. Whip the cream with powdered sugar until stiff. Spread cream and cherries on the first layer and top with the second. Cover with cream and chill. Heat 1/2 cup cream, pour over chopped chocolate, stir and drizzle over the cake. Top with cherries.

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

There is something magical about homemade chocolate ice cream. It is darker, richer and creamier than anything in the freezer aisle. This no churn version needs only a mixer and a few hours of patience. Scoop it into a bowl on a hot afternoon and you will feel like a kid again at the ice cream parlor.

You will need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt.

How to make it: Whisk the condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt until smooth. Whip the cream to stiff peaks and gently fold it into the chocolate mixture. Spread into a loaf pan, cover and freeze for at least six hours. Let it sit five minutes before scooping.

Chocolate Celebration Cake

Every family needs one reliable chocolate cake recipe for birthdays and big moments. This one is moist, deeply chocolatey and stays soft for days. A fluffy chocolate buttercream piped on top makes it look like it came from a bakery. It is the cake that makes people close their eyes on the first bite.

You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup hot coffee and chocolate buttercream.

How to make it: Whisk the dry ingredients. Add eggs, buttermilk and oil and mix well. Stir in the hot coffee until the batter is thin. Bake in two round pans at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely, then frost and pipe swirls on top.

Silky Chocolate Ganache Tart

A chocolate ganache tart looks like a fancy French pastry, yet it needs only a handful of ingredients. A crisp cookie crust holds a smooth, glossy filling that sets in the fridge with no baking. Each slice is rich, so a small piece goes a long way. Top it with sea salt or berries to finish.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs, 5 tablespoons melted butter, 10 ounces dark chocolate, 1 1/4 cups heavy cream and flaky sea salt.

How to make it: Mix the crumbs and butter and press into a tart pan. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes and cool. Heat the cream until steaming and pour over the chopped chocolate. Stir until smooth, pour into the crust and chill for four hours until set.

Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts

Chocolate glazed donuts take most of us straight back to Saturday morning treats. This baked version skips the fryer but keeps that soft, cakey bite and shiny chocolate glaze. Rainbow sprinkles on top make them impossible to resist. They are the kind of chocolate desserts kids remember forever.

You will need: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, 3 tablespoons melted butter and chocolate glaze.

How to make it: Whisk the dry ingredients, then add the egg, milk and butter. Pipe the batter into a greased donut pan and bake at 350°F for 9 to 10 minutes. Cool slightly, dip the tops in chocolate glaze and add sprinkles while it is still wet.

Puffy Chocolate Souffles

Chocolate souffles have a reputation for being tricky, but they are easier than you think. Whipped egg whites lift a rich chocolate base into tall, airy clouds that rise above the cup. Serve them the moment they come out of the oven, because they start to sink fast. That little race to the table is part of the fun.

You will need: 4 ounces dark chocolate, 3 tablespoons butter, 3 eggs separated, 1/4 cup sugar, butter and sugar for the cups and powdered sugar for dusting.

How to make it: Butter four ramekins and coat with sugar. Melt the chocolate and butter, then whisk in the yolks. Beat the whites with sugar to stiff peaks and fold into the chocolate. Fill the cups and bake at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve right away.

Bakery Style Chocolate Muffins

These chocolate muffins rise tall like the ones behind the glass at your favorite bakery. They are soft, moist and loaded with melty chocolate chips. A hot oven for the first few minutes gives them that big, domed top. Wrap one for a lunch box treat or warm it up with your morning coffee.

You will need: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: Whisk the dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix eggs, milk and oil, then stir into the dry until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill a lined muffin tin to the top and bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then 350°F for 15 to 18 minutes.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pudding

Homemade chocolate pudding is one of those simple pleasures that boxed mixes cannot match. Milk, cocoa and a little cornstarch cook into a thick, silky pudding in about 10 minutes. Spoon it into little cups and top with fresh strawberries. It tastes like the pudding cups from your school lunch box, only better.

You will need: 2 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, a pinch of salt, 2 ounces chopped chocolate and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: Whisk the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Slowly whisk in the milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick and bubbling. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate and vanilla. Pour into cups and chill for two hours.

Diner Style Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate cream pie is a diner classic that still makes people stop and stare at the dessert case. A flaky crust holds a thick, creamy chocolate filling crowned with clouds of whipped cream. Chocolate curls on top add the final touch. It is one of the most comforting chocolate desserts you can serve after a family dinner.

You will need: 1 baked pie crust, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 3 cups milk, 4 egg yolks, 4 ounces chopped chocolate, 2 tablespoons butter and whipped cream.

How to make it: Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, milk and yolks in a saucepan and cook until thick. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate and butter until smooth. Pour into the crust, cover and chill for four hours. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Easy Pain au Chocolat

Pain au chocolat is the flaky, buttery French pastry with a bar of chocolate hidden inside. Making the dough from scratch takes days, but store bought puff pastry gets you close in 30 minutes. The smell of them baking is pure Paris café. Serve them warm so the chocolate is still melty.

You will need: 1 sheet puff pastry, 4 ounces dark chocolate bars, 1 egg and 1 tablespoon milk.

How to make it: Roll the pastry and cut it into six rectangles. Lay a strip of chocolate at one end and roll it up. Place seam side down on a lined sheet. Brush with egg beaten with milk. Bake at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes until puffed and golden.

Chocolate Drizzle Cheesecake

Creamy cheesecake and rich chocolate are a match made in dessert heaven. This version has a chocolate cookie crust, a smooth vanilla filling and a generous drizzle of chocolate on top. Every slice looks like it came from a fancy restaurant. Make it a day ahead so it sets perfectly.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs, 5 tablespoons butter, 24 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 cup chocolate sauce.

How to make it: Press the crumbs and butter into a springform pan. Beat the cream cheese and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla. Pour over the crust and bake at 325°F for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool in the oven with the door cracked, chill overnight and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

Party Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue turns dessert into a party. Everyone gathers around a pot of warm, melted chocolate and dips fruit, marshmallows and cake. It takes 10 minutes to make, and the conversation flows as fast as the chocolate. It is one of the most fun chocolate desserts for date night or game night.

You will need: 8 ounces chopped dark chocolate, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, strawberries, banana, pineapple, marshmallows and pound cake for dipping.

How to make it: Heat the cream until it just simmers. Pour it over the chopped chocolate and let it sit two minutes, then stir until smooth. Add vanilla. Pour into a fondue pot or warm bowl and arrange the dippers around it. Use skewers to dip.

Caramel Topped Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with a swirl of caramel frosting are a little bit of happiness in a paper liner. The cake is soft and chocolatey, and the frosting adds a buttery, salty sweet finish. They are perfect for bake sales, birthdays or a Friday treat. A drizzle of caramel on top makes them extra irresistible.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 egg, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup buttermilk and caramel buttercream.

How to make it: Whisk the dry ingredients, then add egg, oil and buttermilk and mix until smooth. Fill lined cups two thirds full and bake at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes. Cool completely, pipe caramel buttercream on top and drizzle with caramel sauce.

Thick Café Style Hot Chocolate

This is not the thin, watery hot cocoa from a packet. Café style hot chocolate is thick, velvety and made with real melted chocolate. One cup feels like dessert and a warm hug at the same time. Sip it slowly on a cold evening, ideally wrapped in a blanket with a good movie playing.

You will need: 2 cups whole milk, 4 ounces dark chocolate, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch and whipped cream for topping.

How to make it: Whisk the cornstarch into a little cold milk. Heat the rest of the milk with sugar until steaming. Add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture and simmer for two minutes until thick. Pour into cups and top with cream.

Gift Box Chocolate Strawberries

Chocolate dipped strawberries packed in a pretty box make one of the sweetest gifts you can give. Juicy berries get a thick chocolate shell and a drizzle of white chocolate. They cost a fortune at the store but only a few dollars at home. Make them for anniversaries, Valentine’s Day or just because.

You will need: 1 pound large strawberries, 8 ounces dark chocolate, 2 ounces white chocolate and 1 teaspoon coconut oil.

How to make it: Wash and completely dry the strawberries. Melt the dark chocolate with coconut oil. Dip each berry, let the extra drip off and set on parchment. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle it over the top. Chill 15 minutes and arrange in a gift box.