Wickedly Delicious Chocolate Desserts Recipes

Beth Dreiling / Styling Cari South / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon

Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi Mud Cake is a classic Southern sheet cake filled with marshmallows and chopped pecans and covered in a rich chocolate frosting. This particular recipe offers a cupcake variation as well as a shortcut version.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Chocolate lovers will swoon over this chocolate-filled, chocolate ganache-topped cheesecake. Plus, it's easy to make ahead and pull out of the refrigerator after dinner. Follow our instructions to make the festive snowflake topper.

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
Step-by-Step White Chocolate Snowflake Garnish

Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Semisweet chocolate and cinnamon replicate the flavor of Mexican chocolate in this moist cake. It's equally delicious with or without our Mexican Chocolate Sauce. Garnish with toasted sliced almonds.

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Chocolate-Key Lime Cupcake Pies

Chocolate Key-Lime Cupcake Pies

A dark chocolate cookie-crumb crust and “Jumbo” foil baking cups give these fanciful tarts a chic twist. Go ahead and pour the cheesecake filling all the way to the top of the extra-tall cups – it doesn’t rise during baking.

Brownie Tiramisù

Brownie Tiramisù

One spoonful of this intensely chocolate tiramisù and you’ll abandon all restraint. Layer individual servings in decorative glasses for a dinner party, or spread the mascarpone mixture directly over the uncut brownies and scoop straight from the dish for a potluck supper.

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Grated milk chocolate adds a double dose of yum to these buttery oatmeal cookies. They’re the perfect choice for a cozy fireside picnic. Toasting the pecans intensifies their flavor and adds extra crunch to cookie dough. Preheat the oven to 350°, and bake the nuts in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cool.

Photo: Jennifer Davick/Styling: Buffy Hargett

Milk Chocolate-Peppermint Bark

As if milk chocolate morsels and peppermint candies weren't perfect enough a mixture, we added rich cream-and-mint-filled chocolate sandwich cookies and salty pretzel sticks to our peppermint bark.

Recipe: Milk Chocolate-Peppermint Bark

Cheesecake Squares

Cheesecake Squares

Put on a pot of coffee and gather the girls for a morning getaway. Mocha latté fans will love the rich and creamy flavor of these make ahead bars.

Candy Bar Pie

Candy Bar Pie

This man-pleasing pie pairs a tantalizing trio of caramel-laced chocolate and peanut butter with the salty crunch of a crisp, over-the-rim pretzel crust. Be sure to spread the pretzel mixture all the way up the sides and onto the lip of the pie plate, or the crust will be too thick and shallow to hold the filling. Use a sharp, thin-bladed knife to cut through the filling and crust, then insert a pie server underneath each slice and lift from the pan.

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Dusted with a snowy layer of powdered sugar, lusciously moist Chocolate Fudge Brownies nestle snugly next to squares of Praline Pecan Brownies, and Caramel Coconut Pecan Brownies – an absolutely over-the-top rendition of Hello Dolly Bars. To easily remove and cut brownies, line the pan with greased and floured heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing several inches to extend over sides. After baking and cooling, lift the block of brownies from the pan using the foil. Press the foil sides down, and cut.

Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate Fondue

When it comes to dipping, you’re only limited by your imagination. You might even consider dunking croissants and French toast for breakfast.

Crispy Chocolate Hearts

Crispy Chocolate Hearts

Kids of all ages will love these treats! Baby marshmallows, roasted peanuts, and crisp rice cereal swirl through a creamy mix of melted chocolate and peanut butter. Heart-shaped cookie cutters and a sprinkling of nonpareils add the finishing touch.

Chocolate Chubbies

Loaded with the nutty crunch of walnuts and pecans, these irresistible cookies are crisp on the outside, and brownie-rich on the inside. The secret is stirring the dough just long enough to moisten the dry ingredients.

Recipe: Chocolate Chubbies

Mocha-Pecan Mud Pie

Mocha-Pecan Mud Pie

This indulgent coffeehouse treat is always a hit and fun for the whole family to make. To quickly soften the ice cream, let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes; remove from the carton, and place in the bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Beat at low speed, using the paddle attachment, 5 to 10 seconds or until just smooth enough to spread into the crust.

Pecan Toffee

Pecan Toffee

A simple alchemy of butter, sugar, and tap water, the tender-crisp texture of this toffee puts store bought to shame. Don’t be afraid to use a candy thermometer – they’re dirt-cheap and much more reliable than visual cues. Just bring the ingredients to a boil and wait for the thermometer to hit the hard crack marker.

White Chocolate Panna Cotta With Dark Chocolate Sauce

White Chocolate Panna Cotta With Dark Chocolate Sauce

Served in stemmed glasses, these silky smooth Italian custards make an elegant ending to any meal.

Chocolate Italian Cream Cake

Chocolate Italian Cream Cake

The original recipe for Italian Cream Cake had no rivals. But then we stirred in a little chocolate!

Mississippi Mud Cupcakes

Mississippi Mud Cupcakes

Muffin pans give new shape to this Deep South favorite. Wonderfully gooey, the original version of Mississippi Mud Cake is baked in a jellyroll pan and topped with an avalanche of marshmallow and chocolate.

Coca Cola Cake

A close cousin of Mississippi Mud Cake, this super-moist marvel is so easy to make you won’t believe you started from scratch – until you taste it. Ever popular at family reunions, it’s simply one of the best sheet cakes on earth. The magical brew of carbonated cola is the secret to the tender texture.

Recipe: Coca Cola Cake

Blackberry-Raspberry Truffle Cake

Blackberry-Raspberry Truffle Cake

A lavish amount of semisweet chocolate and sour cream give rise to these luscious cake layers. No one will ever guess the recipe begins with a mix. And there’s no need to worry about picture-perfect swirls of frosting – just spread it on. A simple coating of coarsely chopped pecans and a handful of colorful berries will send this towering treat to the table in high style.

Chocolate Bread Pudding With Whiskey Sauce

Chocolate Bread Pudding With Whiskey Sauce

The ultimate indestructible soufflé, this simple but ethereal dessert is nothing short of spectacular. And it takes just minutes to put together.

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Black Forest Pound Cake

This decadent dessert is an easy, one-pan twist on the traditional layered cake. Prepare the cake and cherry sauce in advance. Make the whipped cream topping and shaved chocolate the day you serve it.

Recipe: Black Forest Pound Cake

Chocolate Cake IV

Chocolate Cake IV

An aristocrat in the world of impressive cakes, this prize-winning creation is sure to garner rave reviews. And it tastes every bit as good as it looks. A generous amount of brown sugar in the batter brings a hint of caramel to the tender, fine-crumbed layers.

Chocolate Mousse Loaf With Raspberry Puree

Chocolate Mousse Loaf With Raspberry Puree

Effortlessly elegant, chocolate mousse makes a cool partner for any occasion. For a party-pretty presentation, chill individual portions in heart-shaped ramekins or china teacups, and serve the sauce on the side in a cream pitcher.

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Buttery shortbread and sweet toffee and chocolate are a delicious combination in this treat. Package some up in a festive container for a yummy holiday gift.

Recipe: Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Photo: Van Chaplin

Grilled Chocolate Sweetheart

Take the gift of chocolate to a whole new level with this tasty Valentine offering.

Recipe: Grilled Chocolate Sweetheart

Photo: Ralph Anderson,

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

These luscious strawberries are super easy. If your microwave has an “on” button, you can make them. Melt chocolate in your microwave, give strawberries a quick dip, and then add a Southern touch by rolling them in chopped pecans. Tell your sweetie you made them especially for him―with just a little help from Cupid.

Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Cappuccino Blossoms

These tasty cookies are our coffee-and-almond redo of the classic kiss-topped cookies. Each dollop of espresso-spice dough is topped with a dark chocolate kiss just while it's hot out of the oven.

Recipe: Cappuccino Blossoms

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Rebecca's Black Bottom Icebox Pie

With a rich, creamy filling and melt-in-your-mouth crust, this is quite possibly the best chocolate pie ever.

Recipe: Rebecca's Black Bottom Icebox Pie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Peanut Butter Mississippi Mud Brownies

Chocolate and peanut butter have never tasted so good. And the marshmallow topping makes these brownies just as dense and sweet as the famous cake.

Recipe: Peanut Butter Mississippi Mud Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake

Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake is a treat for chocoholics. The rich, creamy frosting blends coffee with cocoa for a delightful mocha flavor.

Recipe: Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Chocolate-Mint Cupcakes

Choppped crème de menthe mints make for a pretty presentation and add a perfect bit of mint to moist chocolate cupcakes.

Recipe: Chocolate-Mint Cupcakes

Chocolate Mocha Java Cake

Even the cook will have a hard time believing these take less than 45 minutes to assemble and bake.

Recipe: Mocha Java Cake

Chocolate-Fudge Cheesecake

Chocoholics are sure to love this ultra-rich cheesecake, which features traditional cheesecake sandwiched between a chocolate-pecan brownie base and a thick, homemade chocolate glaze.

Recipe: Chocolate-Fudge Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Pudding

This chocolate pudding is everything you dream of—chocolaty rich, silky smooth, and light on calories!

Recipe: Chocolate Pudding

Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake with Mocha Sauce

Chocolate and coffee flavors mingle perfectly in this sinfully delicious cheesecake. The only thing missing is the guilt.

Recipe: Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake with Mocha Sauce

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Tarte

Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte is soufflé-like in texture and abundant in heart-healthy antioxidants. Best of all, it cures any chocolate craving.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Tarte

No-Cook Chocolate-Almond Ice Cream

Chocolate milk and chocolate syrup create the chocolaty taste you’ve loved since you were a kid. Almonds add a nutty crunch to this super-simple recipe.

Recipe: No-Cook Chocolate-Almond Ice Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mississippi Mud Cupcakes

Topped with chopped chocolate and roasted glazed pecans, these decadent cupcakes make for a much-appreciated hostess gift.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cupcakes

German Chocolate Snack Cake

German chocolate cake is finished with a cheesecake topping in this dessert that is begging to be packed as a snack.

Recipe: German Chocolate Snack Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels. They're not as intimidating to make as they might seem.

Recipe: Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake

This crowd-pleasing cake is topped with whipped cream, crème de menthe chocolates, and, yes, chocolate ganache. If there was ever a time to eat dessert first, it's with this refreshing cake.

Recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake

Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Never fearing too much of a good thing, we topped our best-ever brownie batter with a ribbon of feather-light cheesecake, and poured on a chocolate truffle glaze.

The recipe makes 2 triple-layered treats – perfect for serving a crowd or sharing as a gift.

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Hot Fudge Brownie Cake

Nothing beats a wam brownie fresh from the pan. Top this ooey-gooey dessert with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat the whole family will enjoy.

Recipe: Hot Fudge Brownie Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mississippi Mud Brownies

Transform simple brownies into Mississippi Mud Brownies by adding toasted pecans and miniature marshmallows.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mexican Chocolate Ice-Cream Pie

A crisp, over-the-rim graham cracker crust spiked with ground cinnamon and red pepper adds a spicy cowboy kick to this showstopping pie. Make and freeze it up to one month ahead.

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Ice-Cream Pie

Chunky Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate chunks make these brownies fudgy; use the 23-minute baking time to make them extra gooey.

Recipe: Chunky Chocolate Brownies

Double Chocolate Brownies with Caramel Frosting

These indulgent bars are filled with toasted chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate morsels, and topped with a warm Caramel Frosting. What more can you ask out of a brownie?

Recipe: Double Chocolate Brownies with Caramel Frosting

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

If chocolate chip cookies are your favorite cookies, this recipe make soon become your favorite.

Recipe: All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Parfaits

We tried using both sugar-free instant and regular pudding mixes. To our surprise, we preferred the flavor of the sugar-free.

Recipe: Chocolate Parfaits

Mocha-Chocolate Shortbread

Chocolate-covered shortbread is the yummy end to a wonderful meal. You're likely to have all of the ingredients for this recipe stocked in the pantry.

Recipe: Mocha-Chocolate Shortbread

Double Chocolate Brownies

You'll love these brownie creations because twice the chocolate equals twice the fun.

Recipe: Double Chocolate Brownies

Jennifer Davick / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey

Triple Chocolate-Cookie Trifle Pie With Raspberry Glaze

Store-bought cookies make preparing this new recipe spin on the beloved trifle a snap. Cover with a delicious, fresh raspberry glaze and you’ll have a splurge-worthy cookie trifle in half the time.

Recipe: Triple Chocolate-Cookie Trifle Pie With Raspberry Glaze

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pan Cookie

This yummy cookie pairs two of our favorites--peanut butter and chocolate--in a dessert that's sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pan Cookie

Rocky Road Chocolate Cake

Rocky Road Chocolate Cake starts with the convenience of cake and pudding mixes. Pour the batter into a slow cooker, and walk away.

Recipe: Rocky Road Chocolate Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Truffle Bites

A dab of whipped cream and and chocolate shavings polish the presentation of this chocolate lovers' dessert. Refrigerated pie crusts make easy tart shells when baked in a muffin tin, and the rich filling is a decadent mixture of semisweet chocolate and whipped cream.

Chocolate Truffle Bites

Chunky Chocolate Gobs

These ultrachocolate cookies are, hands down, some of the best ever to come through our Test Kitchens.

Chunky Chocolate Gobs

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas/ Styling: Buffy Hargett/ Food Styling: Rebecca Kracke Gordon

Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

“When portioning dough for Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies, spray your tablespoon measure with cooking spray for easy release onto baking sheets.”
-Angela Sellers, test kitchen professional

Recipe: Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Filled with oats and two kinds of chocolate, it’s no wonder readers tell us these cookies receive all-around rave reviews.

Recipe: Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Chocolate Icebox Pie

You’ll have to move pretty fast to get the last piece of this luscious pie. Like the classic version of lemon icebox pie, our rich chocolate filling is made with sweetened condensed milk.

Recipe: Chocolate Icebox Pie

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie

Whether you’re serving a large crowd or a small family, ice cream pies make it easy to dish up everyone’s favorite frozen treat. To quickly soften ice cream let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes, then scoop it into the bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Beat at low speed, using the paddle attachment, 5 to 10 seconds or until just smooth enough to spread. (To prevent crystallization when refrozen, ice cream should be softened just enough to spread easily into the crust – not so warm that it begins to melt.)

Recipe: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie

Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte

Nobody can resist a dessert as luscious as this―even if it is lightened. Just sprinkle this guilt-free dessert with powdered sugar and cocoa for an easy, elegant look.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Easy Mocha Chip Ice-Cream Cake

Get your chocolate fix with chocolate-covered coffee beans as the finishing touch on this cool cake.

Recipe: Easy Mocha Chip Ice-Cream Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Velvet Cupcakes

Velvety chocolate cake is topped with a to-die-for Browned Butter-Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Frosting and pretty chocolate curls for an irresistible bite.

Recipe: Chocolate Velvet Cupcakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mama's German Chocolate Cake

Pure Southern perfection! Layers of moist German chocolate cake and sweet-and-nutty Coconut-Pecan Frosting will make this dessert an instant favorite.

Recipe: Mama's German Chocolate Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

The perfect ending to a festive meal - from the deep red cranberry topping to the velvety smooth comforting bites.

Recipe: White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Simple Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

Jazz up your simple brownies with chopped pecans and an easy chocolate frosting.

Recipe: Simple Brownies with Chocolate Frosting
Recipe: Chocolate Frosting

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints

These cookies feature the irresistible flavor combination of cherry and chocolate.

Recipe: Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Chocolate-Dipped Praline Pretzels

A good Southerner doesn't let guests leave empty-handed. Give them a sweet sendoff with these addicting salty-sweet nibbles.

Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Praline Pretzels

Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake

A real treat to eat, this rich chocolate bundt cake will be a favorite at any gathering.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mississippi Mud S'Mores-Fudge Pie

Test Kitchen Tip: Marshmallows cut easily if you coat scissors with cooking spray before you snip.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud S'Mores-Fudge Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Chocolate-Espresso Pots de Crème

It cannot get much better when chocolate and coffee are in the same dessert. Top Chocolate-Espresso Pots de Creme with edible flowers for the perfect touch. Take your pick at crystallizedflowers.com.

Recipe: Chocolate-Espresso Pots de Crème

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Fudge Pie

You won't believe this rich chocolate pie is lightened. Better yet, it only requires four ingredients. Garnish the pie with fresh raspberries.

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate-Pecan Chess Pie

Dark, rich, and intensely chocolaty, this is one of our favorite new twists on pecan pie. Serve with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

Recipe: Chocolate-Pecan Chess Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Ganache

Two chocolate chip cookies sandwich a rich-and-creamy Bourbon Ganache in this tasty treat.

Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Ganache

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

How do you sneak gooey melted goodness into every oat-filled bite without the extra fat? Replace half the butter with an extra bar of chocolate.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies