20 Indulgent Dark Chocolate Recipes That'll Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth

Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownies — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

There's no denying that a rich bite of chocolate can make any day better. Depending on your mood, you might choose white, milk, semi-sweet, or dark—is there any craving chocolate can't cure? But while milk chocolate might reign supreme in our beloved candy bars, here is a collection of our favorite dark chocolate recipes that celebrate its intensity and sophistication. There are seasonal treats like our Dark Chocolate-Pear Cake and No-Bake Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Sandwich Cookies, as well as treats that'll be a hit any time of the year. Make a batch of Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownies or the glamorous Dark Chocolate Sablés—a rendition of the famous French butter cookies. Whether you'll looking for an easy dessert to bake just because or are preparing for a house filled with guests, you can depend on these delectable dark chocolate desserts for a little taste of heaven.

01 of 20

Dark Chocolate-Pear Cake

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Pear Cake

Tender, brownie-like cake gets studded with chopped almonds and pear slices. Use Bosc pears, which are firm enough for baking. It's an underrated—but darn delicious—fall dessert.

02 of 20

Dark Chocolate-Pistachio-Orange Kisses

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Pistachio-Orange Kisses

You can't go wrong combining bittersweet chocolate with orange flavoring. But these candies are sure to wow with their swoops of meringue coated in buttery pistachios. Try our Meringue Recipe and learn how to perfect the airy confection.

03 of 20

No-Bake Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

Recipe: No-Bake Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

Store-bought chocolate wafers are coated in bittersweet chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candies for what might be one of the easiest desserts ever. Add coconut oil into your dark chocolate to boost the shine and make for easier dipping. Top with crushed peppermints, candy canes, star mints, sprinkles, or any other holiday garnish that suits your fancy.

04 of 20

Pan-Banging Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe: Pan-Banging Chocolate Chip Cookies

These banging good cookies are the size of the small plate after they get a good bang halfway through baking. The thin cookies are crispy on the outside with a gooey mix of semisweet and bittersweet chocolate inside. Dust with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt after cooking.

05 of 20

Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies

Dark chocolate melds with spicy ginger and smokey molasses for a cookie no one's forgetting about any time soon. A little brown sugar and cinnamon adds to the richness. Since this recipe combines all your favorite holiday flavors, it's a great choice for gifts and cookie swaps.

06 of 20

Dark Chocolate Sablés

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Sablés

The traditional French butter cookie gets the chocolate treatment—and only the most intense, seductive chocolate will do. Dip one half of each cookie into melted chocolate after baking. Add a sprinkle of sea salt or chopped pecans to accentuate the earthy flavor.

07 of 20

Chocolate Pudding Pie

Recipe: Chocolate Pudding Pie

This recipe takes those homemade chocolate puddings of your childhood up to new heights. In this sumptious pudding pie, chopped dark chocolate is stirred into a thick custard and poured into a graham cracker crust. Our secret ingredient, a pinch of instant coffee, enriches the chocolate flavor just the right amount.

08 of 20

Double-Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Recipe: Double-Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Every crumb of this delicious pecan pie is going to disappear from your plate. After all, this one doubles the chocolate for ultimate flavor. You could even call it a triple-chocolate pecan pie, between the dark chocolate pie crust, gooey chocolate-pecan filling, and pretty drizzle of melted chocolate over top.

09 of 20

Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Instead of chocolate-covered strawberries, we go for strawberry-covered chocolate with this layer cake recipe. Strawberries are blended with a sweet buttercream and frosted over layers. Top with fresh fruit or, of course, strawberries dipped in chocolate.

10 of 20

Millionaire Shortbread

Recipe: Millionaire Shortbread

You'll think you struck gold when you sink your teeth into these incredibly rich cookie bars. A shortbread crust is layered with homemade caramel and extra-dark melted chocolate, then sprinkled with sea salt. For easy removal, line the baking pan with aluminum foil.

11 of 20

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Recipe: Chocolate Mousse Cake

This cake upholds one classic principle: chocolate is made to be enjoyed on its own, in various forms, and with little distraction. The cake is made of three distinct layers of chocolate. The marrying chocolate flavors and textures are topped with a thin layer of dark chocolate ganache and tart berries.

12 of 20

Toffee Candy

Recipe: Toffee Candy

In this recipe, the Test Kitchen promises "buttery, crunchy toffee topped with smooth, rich dark chocolate and almonds—candy heaven!" The ultra-dark toffee uses unsulphered molasses, instant espresso, and bittersweet chocolate for deep, earthy flavor. A half teaspoon of cinnamon makes the candy even more spectacular.

13 of 20

Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies Recipe

Recipe: Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies

Here's another recipe that leaves out the flour so that chocolate can reign supreme. Thanks to whipped egg whites, these cookies are airy and crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside. If that wasn't enough, each cookie is filled with toasted chopped pecans and gooey pockets of melted chocolate.

14 of 20

Mississippi Mud Cake

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake

There's a lot going on in a Mississippi Mud Cake, but it's the dark chocolate sheet cake that ties it all together. Mini marshmallows and chopped pecans are suspended in a rich batter, then iced with creamy chocolate frosting. This recipe is classic for a family cookout.

15 of 20

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

This cheesecake is the definition of decadent, beginning with a crust of crushed dark-chocolate shortbread cookies. After baking, the cheesecake is coated with a silky layer of dark chocolate ganache. If you're feeling fancy, use melted white chocolate to draw a delicate snowflake on top.

16 of 20

Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Cake

This dark chocolate layer cake will be a hit at your holiday party. The recipe makes use of mayonaise for a moist crumb and brewed coffee for more flavor. It's the perfect counterpoint to the sweet peppermint frosting that is swooped onto the cake and decorated with crushed candies.

17 of 20

Death by Chocolate

Recipe: Death by Chocolate

The name of this dessert tells you all you need to know. The light layers of whipped cream in this confection could save you from chocolate overload—as if there was any such thing. Death by Chocolate is scooped onto a plate and savored with a spoon.

18 of 20

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

These muffins are just as good for dessert as they are for breakfast. A combination of cocoa, bittersweet, and semi-sweet chocolate makes them extra chocolatey but not overly sweet. Moist, fluffy, and rich, you'll find them popular with both adults and kids.

19 of 20

Chocolate Torte

Recipe: Chocolate Torte

Rather than muting the intense flavor of chocolate with cakey ingredients, our Chocolate Torte uses no flour and a small amount of sugar, allowing decadent chocolate to take center stage. Whipped eggs provide structure to the torte, which expands dramatically in the oven, then collapses into a soft, airy treat. Give it a dusting of cocoa powder and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

20 of 20

Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownies

Recipe: Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownies

For the extreme fans, these dark chocolate brownies redefine decadence. Bourbon and espresso deepen the flavor for grownups, but can be skipped for a kid-friendly version. Make sure you have a glass of milk or cup of coffee on hand before you take a bite.

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