Sometimes I want a pan of chewy brownies, and sometimes only a slice of chocolate cake with plenty of frosting will do. I've gathered 16 chocolate desserts from my kitchen here, with something for both kinds of days.
You'll find cakes, cookies, brownies, and stovetop treats below. Each recipe has a short note to help you choose, whether you're baking for a group, planning dessert for two, or looking for something to make without turning on the oven.
Which chocolate dessert should I make?
For a dessert to share, start with Chocolate Sheet Cake or Homemade Brownies. For two, try the Chocolate Lava Cakes. If the oven is staying off, look at Chocolate Pudding or Nutella Fudge.
Chocolate Cakes
1. Chocolate Sheet Cake
A soft chocolate cake with fudgy chocolate frosting is my pick when I want something easy to slice and share. You don't need a mixer, just bowls and a whisk, so this is a good place to start if layer cakes feel like too much work.
Get the Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe.
2. Chocolate Loaf Cake
For a smaller cake that doesn't need stacking or decorating, try this chocolate loaf. Coffee brings out the cocoa flavor, and a layer of ganache makes each slice feel a little more special.
Get the Chocolate Loaf Cake recipe.
3. Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
This single-layer cake pairs chocolate with fruity olive oil and cardamom whipped cream. Finish it with pistachios and dried rose petals if you want the same presentation, or keep the toppings simple.
Get the Chocolate Olive Oil Cake recipe.
4. Chocolate Lava Cakes for Two
These small chocolate cakes have a ganache center that melts as they cook. The recipe includes a pepper-infused filling for a little heat, making this a fun choice if you like sweet and spicy together.
Get the Chocolate Lava Cakes for Two recipe.
Brownies
5. Homemade Brownies
If you're after the classic shiny top and chewy, fudgy middle, start with these brownies. They come together in one bowl and make a useful base when you want to add your own mix-ins.
Get the Homemade Brownies recipe.
6. Oreo Brownies
Chopped Oreos add cookie pieces to a rich brownie base. Make a pan when you want something more loaded than a plain brownie without adding a separate filling or frosting.
7. Chai Spice Brownies
Chocolate and chai spices make a lovely pair in these brownies. Choose these when you want a familiar dessert with a different flavor, especially if you enjoy ginger and cardamom.
Get the Chai Spice Brownies recipe.
Chocolate Cookies
8. Double Chocolate Cookies
These oversized cookies have a chocolate dough, pools of melted chocolate, and chopped walnuts. There's no chilling required, so they're a good option when you want to get the dough straight into the oven.
Get the Double Chocolate Cookies recipe.
9. Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
A brownie center makes these cookies a baking project worth setting aside a little extra time for. Read through the chilling instructions before you begin; the dough and filling need time to firm up before shaping.
Get the Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
10. Hot Chocolate Cookies
Hot cocoa mix gives these cookies their hot-chocolate flavor, while marshmallow fluff creates a gooey swirl. They're a good choice for anyone who always wants extra marshmallows in their mug.
Get the Hot Chocolate Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Treats Without the Oven
11. Easy Chocolate Pudding
Homemade pudding is a good way to satisfy a chocolate craving without turning on the oven. My method brings the eggs and milk up to temperature together, so there's no separate egg-tempering step.
Get the Easy Chocolate Pudding recipe.
12. Nutella Fudge
Chocolate and hazelnut spread make this a particularly creamy fudge. It takes five ingredients and doesn't need a candy thermometer; allow time for it to set before you plan to slice and serve it.
13. Edible Brownie Batter
For a spoonable dessert, this egg-free brownie batter can be served on its own or as a dip. The recipe includes homemade and brownie-mix versions, along with the heat-treatment instructions to follow before mixing.
Get the Edible Brownie Batter recipe.
Pies and Other Chocolate Desserts
14. Black Forest Pie
Chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream come together in this pie. The crust is baked and the filling is made on the stove, and you can spread the preparation over a couple of days.
Get the Black Forest Pie recipe.
15. Cookies and Cream Brownie Bark
If you love the crisp edges of a brownie, try this thin, crunchy brownie bark. A cookies-and-cream topping gives it another layer of chocolate-cookie flavor, and the pieces are made for dunking in milk.
Get the Cookies and Cream Brownie Bark recipe.
16. Chocolate Madeleines
These little shell-shaped cakes have chocolate in the batter and a chocolate coating. You'll need a madeleine pan, making them a good choice when you feel like baking something different from your usual cookies.
Get the Chocolate Madeleines recipe.
Before You Start
Check the recipe's equipment and chilling or setting times before choosing what to make. Brownie-stuffed cookies need chilling, fudge needs time to set, and madeleines need their own pan. Those details can make the difference between a dessert for tonight and a project for the weekend.
For more help with chocolate, see my guide to melting chocolate.
Leave a Reply