Fall in Love with Chocolate: February 2015

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Here are 28 chocolate reasons to enjoy the month of February.

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Chocolate Cake IV

Impress your special someone with a homemade layer cake for Valentine's Day! The IV in the title comes from the four types of chocolate used in this outstanding chocolate cake recipe.

Chocolate Cake IV Recipe

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Fudge Brownie Pops

Photo: Ryan Liebe; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

These brownies are incredibly rich and moist, and impossibly easy to make: just roll 'em, dip 'em, and stick 'em! For easier handling, push the finished pops, standing upright, into Styrofoam and place in the refrigerator to chill.

Fudge Brownie Pops Recipe

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Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

No candy pieces here. These thumbprint cookies are topped with a delicious peanut butter-chocolate filling.

Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints Recipe

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Five-Ingredient Chocolate Cakes

Photo: Ryan Liebe; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

This gorgeous dessert uses only five ingredients: sugar, butter, eggs, cake flour, and cocoa (we don't count water, salt, and cooking spray). The chocolate sauce that tops the individual cakes is luscious, thick, and glossy, with full-on chocolate flavor.

Five-Ingredient Chocolate Cakes Recipe

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Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Photo: Romulo Yanes

This is a dark chocolate take on the traditional chocolate-dipped dessert that will leave your date swooning. We dipped half of ours in finely chopped pistachios for the perfect salty-sweet combination.

Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Recipe

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Chocolate High Cupcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

We tried to get as much chocolate as possible into one cupcake. This creation is our staff chocoholic's favorite. With nothing but chocolate through and through, it's pure indulgence.

Chocolate High Cupcakes Recipe

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Triple-threat Chocolate Cookies

Photo: Peden & Munk; Styling: Amy Wilson

Prepare to abandon all restraint when you try one of these cookies, made with melted chocolate and chocolate chips in the batter and layered with a chocolate ganache filling.
Triple-threat Chocolate Cookies Recipe

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Mini Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Make Valentine's Day memorable with homemade whoopie pies for your special someone.

Mini Red Velvet Whoopie Pies Recipe

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Milk Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Photo: Ryan Liebe; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

A splash of nutty amaretto adds an extra layer of elegance to the milk chocolate in this decadently creamy dessert.

Milk Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe

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Chocolate Soufflé Cakes

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

These airy chocolate cakes puff up nicely in mini soufflé dishes. To serve four, use five teaspoons flour and double the remaining ingredients (doubling the flour would make the base too heavy).

Chocolate Soufflé Cakes Recipe

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Raspberry-White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Karen Tack

Heart-shaped cheesecakes are a perfect way to show your love this Valentine's Day. Bake a double batch to share with family, friends, and that special someone.

Raspberry-White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

If you prefer a more soufflé-like cake, add all of the chocolate into the egg mixture during step 3. Using a high-quality chocolate makes all the difference.

Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes Recipe

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Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake

Photo: Ryan Liebe; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

This dessert gets well-rounded chocolate richness from three sources: chocolate graham crackers in the crust, plus intense cocoa powder and luscious milk chocolate in the filling.
Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

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Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

If you've never known the glory of a mayonnaise cake, you're in for a treat! The staple ingredient yields an ultra-moist crumb and keeps the sugar from taking over your taste buds.

Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake Recipe

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Cocoa Hazelnut Truffles

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Claire Spollen

There's no better way to say, "I love you" than with rich, chocolate truffles. We add corn syrup and evaporated milk to make these smooth and creamy confections.

Cocoa Hazelnut Truffles Recipe

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Chocolate Pots de Crème

Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Karen Tack

Six ingredients are all you need to show someone you care. Serve this oh-so-cute dessert to top off a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.

Chocolate Pots de Crème Recipe

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Mocha Almond Fudge

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

There are few treats in the world better than a rich, smooth morsel of fudge. This recipe is one of the best we've tried!

Mocha Almond Fudge Recipe

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Very Fudgy Brownies

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Kristen Shelton Fielder

Made with three different types of chocolate, these rich brownies are irresistible.

Very Fudgy Brownies Recipe

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Two-Bite Chocolate Cream Pies

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

These delightful little pies are a chocolate-lovers dream to serve as an indulgent treat this Valentine's Day. Prep time is one hour plus chilling time.

Two-Bite Chocolate Cream Pies Recipe

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Mocha Chocolate Mousse

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This seriously easy and decadent mousse hides a smart secret: reduced-sodium soy sauce. Just 1/2 teaspoon elevates the rich dark chocolate flavor. Add crunch with cookies to contrast the mousse's silky texture.

Mocha Chocolate Mousse Recipe

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Molten Marshmallow-Chocolate Cakes

Photo: Leigh Beisch

Differing from the traditional molten chocolate lava cake, this cake oozes melted marshmallow.

Molten Marshmallow-Chocolate Cakes Recipe

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Hot Fudge Brownie Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

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

Hot Fudge Brownie Cake Recipe

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Double Chocolate Ice Cream

Oxmoor House

A combination of cocoa powder and melted chocolate makes for a rich, ultra-chocolatey dessert. We updated the recipe to use heavy cream in place of the half-and-half in the original.

Double Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

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First Kiss Cupcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

As sweet as love's first kiss, our chocolate and cherry cupcake is special. One bite and you'll fall in love, and all with a cherry on top!

First Kiss Cupcakes Recipe

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Photo: Thomas J. Story

A winning duo of chocolate and peanut butter make up this single-serving cake with no tempting leftovers.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

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Crispy Chocolate Hearts

Create a festive rice cereal treat by adding a handful of memorable ingredients: peanuts for crunch, marshmallows for sweetness, and peanut butter for a smooth shot of rich flavor.

Crispy Chocolate Hearts Recipe

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Chocolate-Frangelico Fondue

Photo: Francesco Tonelli; Styling: Thom Driver

Fondue is more versatile than you may think. It's a warm sauce to drizzle over cake, ice cream, or yogurt. Be sure to start with a high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and texture.

Chocolate-Frangelico Fondue Recipe

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The Ultimate Chocolate Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

For the crust, crumble three-fourths of one, 9-ounce box of chocolate wafer cookies to yield two cups.

The Ultimate Chocolate Pie Recipe

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Fall in Love with Chocolate

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Chocolate Cake IV

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Fudge Brownie Pops

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Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints

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Five-Ingredient Chocolate Cakes

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Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

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Chocolate High Cupcakes

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Triple-threat Chocolate Cookies

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Mini Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

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Milk Chocolate Crème Brûlée

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Chocolate Soufflé Cakes

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Raspberry-White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

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Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes

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Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake

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Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

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Cocoa Hazelnut Truffles

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Chocolate Pots de Crème

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Mocha Almond Fudge

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Very Fudgy Brownies

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Two-Bite Chocolate Cream Pies

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Mocha Chocolate Mousse

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Molten Marshmallow-Chocolate Cakes

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Hot Fudge Brownie Cake

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Double Chocolate Ice Cream

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First Kiss Cupcakes

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

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Crispy Chocolate Hearts

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