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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    15+ Decadent Dark Chocolate Recipes

    April 20, 2023 by Amee Leave a Comment

    If you love dark chocolate half as much as I do, you need to check out these 15+ Decadent Dark Chocolate Recipes! Flavorful and luxurious, you'll want to make them all!

    Collage of Dark Chocolate Recipes.

    Discover 15+ Decadent Dark Chocolate Recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth and elevate your dessert game! From rich and velvety cakes to chewy brownies and fudgy truffles, these recipes are perfect for any occasion. Indulge in the intense and complex flavors of dark chocolate and impress your guests with these crowd-pleasing treats!

    If you enjoy this post, check out my posts with 40+ Unique Desserts, 20+ Best Berry Desserts, and 10+ Delicious Caramel Desserts!

    Jump to:
    • What is Dark Chocolate?
    • Why Use Dark Chocolate?
    • How to Choose Dark Chocolate
    • Substituting Dark Chocolate
    • How to Store Dark Chocolate
    • Dark Chocolate Recipes
    • Other Posts You May Like
    • 💬 Comments
    Bowl of squares of dark chocolate and cocoa.

    What is Dark Chocolate?

    Cacao is raw, unprocessed cocoa beans. Generally speaking, dark chocolate is contains between 35% and 90% cacao along with cocoa butter and sugar. Because of the high percentage of cacao and less additives (no milk and less sugar), dark chocolate has a deeper chocolate flavor than milk chocolate.

    There are two types of dark chocolate: semi-sweet and bittersweet. It's up to each individual manufacturer to decide the percentage of cacao to be used and label their chocolate as one kind or the other. Typically, bittersweet chocolate has a higher percentage of cacao and is less sweet than semi-sweet chocolate. You can use either semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate interchangeably.

    Why Use Dark Chocolate?

    Because dark chocolate is less sweet than other chocolates, recipes using dark chocolate are decadent with deep chocolate flavor. The bitterness of the dark chocolate complements and balances the sweetness in desserts while remaining rich and luxurious. And, since dark chocolate doesn't contain milk, it's perfect for vegan recipes! (Note: none of the recipes presented in this post are vegan.)

    And, if you need more reasons to eat dark chocolate, there are even health benefits that are backed by science! Dark chocolate has been found to improve brain function, protect against heart disease, improve mood, promote beneficial gut bacteria, and contains helpful minerals and antioxidants!

    Just keep in mind that these reported health benefits are from eating chocolate that contains at least 70% cacao, and that the positives of eating chocolate must be weighed against the calories, fat, and sugar from the chocolate.

    Broken dark chocolate bar with a dried flower on top.

    How to Choose Dark Chocolate

    Here are a few key factors to consider when choosing dark chocolate:

    • Check the percentage of cocoa solids (cacao). The higher the percentage, the more intensely flavored and bitter the chocolate will be. If you prefer a milder taste, look for dark chocolate with a lower percentage of cocoa solids.
    • Pay attention to the ingredients list. The best dark chocolate will have the fewest ingredients. You'll also want to avoid chocolate that contains additives, artificial flavors, or trans fats.
    • Look for organic, fair trade chocolate. Brands of chocolate that support sustainable and ethical practices help to ensure that chocolate is available in the future, and that those growing the cacao are appropriately compensated and no slave labor is used.
    • Consider the origin of the chocolate. Different growing regions can produce varying flavors and textures. Experiment with different brands and varieties to find the one that suits your personal taste preferences. For example, chocolate originating from Madagascar has berry and citrus notes, whereas Mexican chocolate is more earthy.
    Collage of Fall Desserts.

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    Substituting Dark Chocolate

    Some recipes don't specify what type of chocolate to use, and you can use what you prefer and/or have on-hand. If you're wanting to use dark chocolate but don't have any in your pantry, try these substitutions:

    • Unsweetened Chocolate + Sugar: Add one tablespoon of granulated sugar to one ounce of unsweetened chocolate for the equivalent of one ounce of semi-sweet chocolate.
    • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder + Sugar + Butter: Combine one tablespoon of cocoa powder with 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of melted (unsalted) butter for the equivalent of one ounce of semi-sweet chocolate.
    Dark chocolate bars with cocoa beans and shards of chocolate sprinkled nearby.

    How to Store Dark Chocolate

    Dark chocolate should be stored in a dry, cool, dark place. For me, my pantry is an ideal spot. Just ensure that you're not storing it in the refrigerator or near a heat source, and that it's safe from moisture. Dark chocolate will keep for 1-2 years if stored properly.

    If you live in a warm climate, making refrigerating your chocolate a must, dark chocolate will keep (well wrapped to avoid absorbing food odors) for 3-6 months.

    Dark Chocolate Recipes

    So now that we've talked so much about dark chocolate, is your mouth watering like mine?? Without further ado, here are 15+ recipes to showcase the goodness of dark chocolate! You'll want to make all of these dark chocolate desserts in short order!

    Cakes and Cupcakes

    Slice of Chocolate Ganache Cake with a blackberry on top.
    Chocolate Ganache Cake
    Chocolate Ganache Cake
    This Chocolate Ganache Cake is one layer of soft chocolate cake drenched in dark chocolate ganache! The cake mixes up easily (no mixer required!), and the ganache takes about five minutes. So easy and delicious!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Chocolate Ganache Cake with a blackberry on top.
    Chocolate Orange Cake
    This Chocolate Orange Cake is a single layer of moist, fluffy chocolate orange cake topped with chocolate orange buttercream! You will love this cake's depth of flavor!
    Check out this recipe!
    Chocolate Orange Cake with bite missing.
    Death by Chocolate Cupcakes
    Dark chocolate cupcakes filled with dark chocolate ganache, and topped with the deepest, darkest chocolate cream cheese frosting you've ever seen!
    Check out this recipe!
    Chocolate Champagne Cake
    This Chocolate Champagne Cake has super chocolatey champagne cake with champagne Italian meringue buttercream and dark chocolate ganache! For your next celebration, or anytime!
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Chocolate Champagne Cake on a black plate.
    High Hat Cupcakes
    These Hi-Hat Cupcakes are super moist and super chocolatey! Frosted sky-high with vanilla buttercream, then dipped in chocolate, these babies are over the top in the best way!
    Check out this recipe!
    Neapolitan Cake
    The classic flavors of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate combine in this Neapolitan Cake! This three-layer beauty is a celebration cake!
    Check out this recipe!
    Neapolitan Cake with graham bunnies on a white cake stand.

    Cookies and Bars

    Stack of Blondie Brownies with salted caramel sauce dripping down the side.
    Blondie Brownies
    Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies
    These Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies are crisp at the edges, soft and chewy in the center, and absolutely delicious! With a little tweak to my go-to recipe, you don't need eggs to make perfect chocolate chip cookies!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies, one with a bite missing.
    Blondie Brownies
    These Blondie Brownies are two desserts in one! The browned butter blondie layer is topped with a fudgy brownie layer for the ultimate treat! I drizzled a few of mine with homemade salted caramel sauce for a truly decadent dessert, but these are so rich and delicious they don't really need it!
    Check out this recipe!
    Stack of Blondie Brownies with salted caramel sauce dripping down the side.
    Dark Chocolate Madeleines
    These Dark Chocolate Madeleines are tender and suuuuper chocolatey thanks to bittersweet chocolate and black cocoa powder! I should have called them Midnight Madeleines!
    Check out this recipe!
    Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
    These Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers are crisp homemade graham crackers dipped in chocolate! Whether you use dark, milk, or white chocolate (or a combination of all three) is up to you!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers, one with a bite missing.
    Oatmeal Brownies
    These fudgy Oatmeal Brownies have a buttery, crisp oatmeal crust! A recipe tried-and-true from my childhood, and a regular occurrence at my house during the holidays!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of Oatmeal Brownies with one brownie turned on its side.

    Pies

    Slice of Chocolate Cherry Pie on a white plate with a bowl of cherries in the background.
    Chocolate Cherry Pie
    Blackberry Lavender Brownie Pie
    The crust of this beauty is a fudgy brownie swirled with blackberry jam. The filling is a lavender-infused dark chocolate icebox pie, all topped with blackberry meringue. The flavors and textures are outstanding!
    Check out this recipe!
    Chocolate Cherry Pie
    This Chocolate Cherry Pie has juicy, fresh cherries and chopped dark chocolate in a crisp, flaky chocolate pie crust! I think the two-tone lattice gives it a little pizazz, too! 🙂
    Check out this recipe!
    Slice of Chocolate Cherry Pie on a white plate with a bowl of cherries in the background.
    Chocolate Coconut Pie with Dalgona Coffee Topping
    This Chocolate Coconut Pie has a toasted coconut pastry crust filled with dark chocolate custard, topped with dalgona coffee swirled with whipped coconut cream! It's toasted coconut meets a mochaccino and I am HERE for it!!
    Check out this recipe!

    More Dark Chocolate Recipes

    Closeup of partially eaten chocolate and dulce de leche roll.
    Chocolate Dulce de Leche Rolls
    Hazelnut Espresso Truffles
    Dark chocolate, hazelnuts, and espresso combine into a decadent treat! Beautiful and delicious!
    Check out this recipe!
    Chocolate Dulce de Leche Rolls
    These soft Chocolate Dulce de Leche Rolls are filled with chocolate filling and homemade dulce de leche, then topped with dulce de leche cream cheese frosting swirled with chocolate ganache! The ultimate in breakfast decadence!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of partially eaten chocolate and dulce de leche roll.
    Dark Chocolate Champagne Truffles
    Dark chocolate truffles flavored with champagne! Simple ingredients combine for a decadent treat!
    Check out this recipe!
    Chocolate Champagne Truffles

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    Updated 4/20/2023

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