Our Best Chocolate Desserts

For many people, there’s no point in bothering with dessert unless it’s chocolate, so let us tempt you with this collection of our favorite chocolate dessert recipes.

This first luscious dessert, Chocolate Decadence, is simple, fast, and perfect for a quick weeknight treat when you need something sweet. The best part is that the ingredients are super simple pantry staples that you probably already have on hand.

This recipe received the highest rating in the Cooking Light Test Kitchens and has the bonus of being a make-ahead recipe. You can prepare the ingredients ahead, spoon the batter into soufflé dishes, cover, and freeze until you're ready to cook them. They can go straight from the freezer to the oven.

Once you make this chocolate chip cookie recipe, you’ll probably never use another one. It just might be the perfect chocolate chip cookie.

One online reviewer claims that this is now her “go-to” chocolate dessert recipe because it offers such a satisfying, decadent result for minimal effort. What else could you ask for in a dessert?

All you need are 6 ingredients to create this family-pleasing dessert that combines cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies and instant chocolate pudding.

Buttermilk is the surprising secret ingredient in this tender, rich chocolate pound cake. Instead of calling for Mexican chocolate, the same flavor is created with semisweet chocolate and cinnamon.

Why settle for a plain cheesecake when you can indulge in one with a chocolate batter and a rich chocolate glaze?

The addition of coarse salt to the rich chocolate tart creates the perfect salty-sweet combination that is sure to delight your taste buds.

Only 3 ingredients are needed to reach chocolate heaven with these super-easy chocolate sandwich cookies.

If you think making soufflés is hard, think again. These instructions will have you discovering your inner dessert chef and impressing the guests at your next dinner party.

The rich and tender cake layers would probably be fine on their own, but when you add the coffee icing, the creamy mocha filling, and the chocolate curls, this chocolate cake goes beyond fabulous.

Unlike traditional soufflés, these don't need to be served immediately (although they can be). In fact, we loved their fudgy, dense texture when chilled. The sweet custard sauce is also good either warm or chilled.

Layered desserts like this trifle are really much better after they’ve chilled overnight, so this is a great make-ahead dessert to serve at your next dinner party.

Reviewers love these brownies because they’re just the right combination of fudgy and cake-like, and the chocolate glaze makes them extra-special.

If you’ve never made candy before, we suggest that you start with this easy, no-fail recipe that’s guaranteed to get rave reviews. It’s perfect for gift-giving, but you’ll want to set aside some for yourself.

Chocolate syrup, semisweet chocolate and chocolate graham cracker crumbs provide ultra-chocolate flavor to this creamy cheesecake. And, at only 260 calories per slice, you don’t have to feel a bit of guilt.

One online reviewer raves about the melt-in-your-mouth cake and the wonderful, citrusy sauce. It’s “a perfect and elegant ending to a special meal.”

Using chocolate chunks in these brownies makes them extra fudgy and chopped nuts provide a nice crunch.

If you want to be a big hit at your next dinner party, serve this tender layered cake filled with preserves and covered in a rich chocolate icing.

This is a chocolate version of the traditional Italian cream cake with coconuts and pecans folded into the batter and a rich, thick chocolate cream cheese filling and frosting.

These decadent little chocolate cakes are baked in muffin cups and have gooey, rich chocolate centers. Top them off with caramel sauce and a scoop of coffee ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.

This easy chocolate sheet cake was a dessert category winner in the Cooking Light recipe contest and continues to be one of the most popular cake recipes on the site.

One online reviewer said it best: “Great flavor combo of chocolate and cinnamon. All of the bread soaked up the wonderful custard, so there was chocolatey goodness in every bite.”

We can’t think of anything better to do with your bumper crop of zucchini than use it to make a rich and tender chocolate Bundt cake. The zucchini almost makes it seem healthy.

If you’re a fan of rich, buttery shortbread cookies, this chocolate version of shortbread is guaranteed to satisfy. You’ll only need 6 ingredients.