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Our 52 Best Chocolate Dessert Recipes That Are Irresistible and Decadent

Satisfy your cocoa cravings in the form of cookies, brownies and more!

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molten chocolate lava cake with chocolate and peanut butter in the center
Mike Garten

People who have a sweet tooth may happily dig into any type of dessert, but chocolate lovers tend to have their hearts (and minds!) set on one category of sweets: anything chocolate. Who can blame them? With so many different chocolate desserts out there — from fudgy brownies and chewy chocolate chip cookies to creamy chocolate mousse and molten lava cakes — there are just so many delicious options where decadent, rich cocoa is the star.

While you can buy really good chocolate bars from the store, homemade chocolate treats just feel extra special. And these easy chocolate desserts are proof that you don't need to spend a lot of time or money to whip up something impressive. We're sharing our best chocolate recipes for every occasion, including gift-worthy truffles, bark and peanut butter cups that are perfect for the holidays, as well as rich chocolate cakes and cheesecakes for your fanciest dinner parties. You will find chocolate baking recipes, but also easy-to-make treats that won't require you to turn on the oven. Plus, we're using chocolate in all of its forms, so you will find recipes that use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa powder, melted chocolate and/or white chocolate. Now who's ready to celebrate chocolate in all of its glory?

1

Tiramisu Dip

chocolate tiramisu dip in a cup with lady fingers
Mike Garten

It's easier than ever to indulge in tiramisu. How? Turn the espresso-spiked dessert into a dip, to serve with store-bought ladyfingers.

Get the Tiramisu Dip recipe.

RELATED: 75 Easy No-Bake Desserts to Make This Weekend

2

Peanut Butter Molten Chocolate Cakes

molten chocolate lava cake with chocolate and peanut butter in the center
Mike Garten

Dig your spoon into these chocolate lava cakes and molten chocolate "lava" — plus a decadent dose of peanut butter — comes pouring out.

Get the Peanut Butter Molten Chocolate Cakes recipe.

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3

Flourless Chocolate Cake

a round flourless chocolate cake
Mike Garten

Our best flourless chocolate cake is extra fudgy, extra chocolatey and utterly divine. Bonus: It's gluten-free!

Get the Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe.

RELATED: 25 Easy Gluten-Free Desserts So Everyone Can Enjoy a Sweet Treat

4

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

chocolate cookies with a caramel center and salt sprinkled on top
mike garten

A soft caramel wrapped into double-chocolate dough makes for warm, gooey and absolutely irresistible cookies.

Get the Chocolate Caramel Cookies recipe.

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5

Easy Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

best chocolate mug cake recipe
Mike Garten

Got an instant need for chocolate? Mix together a few ingredients in a mug, pop into the microwave for a minute or two and you're good to go.

Get the Easy Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake recipe.

RELATED: 10 Best Countertop Microwaves, According to Expert Testing

6

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

best chocolate sugar cookie recipe
Mike Garten

When we want to bake a batch of beautiful, decorated cookies, we often start with a sugar cookie dough. Until now! This chocolate option provides the perfect base for colorful icing decorations.

Get the Chocolate Sugar Cookies recipe.

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7

Mini Grasshopper Pies

best chocolate mini grasshopper pies recipe
Mike Garten

Mint may just be chocolate's greatest companion. These make-ahead beauts are proof.

Get the Mini Grasshopper Pies recipe.

RELATED: 25 Mint Recipes That Prove Fresh Herbs Are The Best

8

Halva with Chocolate

best chocolate halva recipe
Mike Garten

Halva, a Middle Eastern confection, only calls for a handful of ingredients (i.e. tahini) but requires precision for best results. Our version — topped with a layer of melty dark chocolate — outlines each step to set you up for success.

Get the Halva with Chocolate recipe.

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9

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

best chocolate nut butter cup recipe
Mike Garten

We snuck some mashed bananas into these DIY Reese's peanut butter cups. (P.S. It's easy to swap in your go-to nut butter).

Get the Homemade Peanut Butter Cups recipe.

10

Chocolate Chip Blondies

best blondies recipe
Mike Garten

What's the difference between a brownie and a blondie? Blondies are flavored with vanilla and taste more like a cookie with the thick, chewy texture of a brownie. Studded with chocolate chips, it's not a dessert to sleep on.

Get the Chocolate Chip Blondies recipe.

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11

Chocolate Spritz Sandwiches

best chocolate spritz cookies recipe
Mike Garten

If you want to make stunning sweets but have zero desire to pipe on decorations, you need a cookie press. Every squeeze of the press creates a picture-perfect cookie. Exhibit A.

Get the Chocolate Spritz Sandwiches recipe.

12

Tahini Chocolate Shake

best chocolate tahini shake recipe
Mike Garten

A spoonful of tahini adds a touch of sophistication to these creamy, rich chocolate shakes.

Get the Tahini Chocolate Shake recipe.

RELATED: Make Your Own Tahini With Just the Press of a Button

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13

Chocolate Pecan Cupcakes

best chocolate cupcakes recipe
Mike Garten

We filled these fluffy chocolate cupcakes with a crunchy caramel-pecan sauce. Surprise!

Get the Chocolate Pecan Cupcakes recipe.

RELATED: 25 Best Fall Cupcakes Ever

14

Oreo Sundae Mug Cake

best oreo sundae mug cake recipe
Mike Garten

Take cookies and milk to new heights. Combine the two ingredients in a mug and pop in the microwave for a minute. It transforms into a cake that's perfect for topping with your favorite ice cream and sundae fixings.

Get the Oreo Sundae Mug Cake recipe.

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15

Chocolate Whoopie Pies

best chocolate whoopie pie recipe
Mike Garten

Our take on the classic dessert involves sandwiching marshmallow cream cheese frosting between two cakey Guinness-spiked cookies.

Get the Chocolate Whoopie Pies recipe.

16

Spiked Hot Chocolate

best boozy hot chocolate recipe
Mike Garten

This hot cocoa is so decadent, we'd consider it dessert — especially when topped with a toasty homemade marshmallow.

Get the Spiked Hot Chocolate recipe.

RELATED: Best Hot Chocolate Mixes for the Perfect Cozy Cup

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17

Black Forest Cookies

best black forest cookies recipe
Mike Garten

All the flavors you'd find in a slice of Black Forest cake, but in cookie form. Score!

Get the Black Forest Cookies recipe.

18

Deep-Fried Oreos

best chocolate dessert fried oreo recipe
Mike Garten

Our favorite way to serve up everyone's favorite chocolate sandwich cookie? Dipping it in batter, then frying it up and pretending we're at a state fair.

Get the Deep-Fried Oreos recipe.

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19

Oreo Brownies

best chocolate oreo brownies dessert recipe
Colin Faulkner

Take your fudgy brownies to the next level by loading 'em up with chocolate chips and chocolate sandwich cookies.

Get the Oreo Brownies recipe.

20

Spiced Chocolate Bark

best chocolate bark recipe
Mike Garten

DIY your own chocolate bark by melting squares of chocolate, then topping with crunchy pretzels and salted almonds. Up the ante adding sriracha to the equation.

Get the Spiced Chocolate Bark recipe.

RELATED: Yes, You Can Make Sriracha From Scratch

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molten chocolate lava cake with chocolate and peanut butter in the center
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