Are you a chocolate lover? If so, you’re in luck, because today I’m posting a Chocolate Smorgasbord, just in time for Valentine’s Day baking!
Did you know there are people in existence who honestly don’t like chocolate? I know. It’s hard to believe, but true. At first I thought it was myth, but now I’ve met more than one of these unique non-chocolate-loving individuals. They’re lovely people, just missing the chocolate gene. (While others of us are minus the brussel sprout one.)
So today I’ve posted some of my all-time favorite chocolate recipes. For those of us who love chocolate. There’s something to tempt everyone. Hope this Chocolate Smorgasbord inspires you to get baking in the kitchen today!
This Chocolate Raspberry Tart tastes every bit as decadent as it looks. Spectacular with coffee. While this Chocolate Raspberry Tart has several steps, it’s not difficult to make and I give you step by step instructions. This would be such a nice touch on your dessert table. (Just sayin’.)
The luscious Brick Street Chocolate Cake is everything you dream of in a chocolate cake. Rich and delicious. The pourable chocolate ganache is over the top. Bake this in a tube pan, let it cool completely. Fill the center hole with ganache icing first, then pour the rest over the top, let it cascade down the sides. Yeah. There’s cocoa in that ganache. Cocoa in the cake. Also chocolate pudding and chocolate chips. Chocolate on steroids. If you’re looking for the best chocolate cake recipe, this is by far the best one I’ve made.
If you’re a chocolate mint lover like me, you’ll adore these rich Dark Chocolate Mint Brownies. First, a layer of luscious brownie with just a “hint of mint.” (Poet: me!) Then, a minty icing layer. And finally (drumroll please)…. a thin layer of bittersweet chocolate that cuts the sweet. Sophisticated. And decadent. Yes, it’s three layers. But it’s three easy layers.
No matter how you say pecan, Salted Caramel Pecan Turtles make such a beautiful presentation. (And they don’t taste half bad either.) No candy thermometer is needed for this recipe. Soft caramel candies are flattened and placed on top of toasted pecans, then quickly melted in the oven. Perfect in a candy box or on the dessert table. The toasted pecans and sweet caramel complement each other perfectly. Top with bittersweet chocolate and it’s oh-my-word over the top. Sprinkle on a few sea salt flakes for a sophisticated palette. Or not. Either way, divine!
Seriously, a box mix just doesn’t hold a candle to my Aunt Pinkie’s Famous Fudgy Brownies. These have all the goodies: butter, flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla and unsweetened baking chocolate. And a bonus: chocolate chips. Yeah. Delicious chocolate fudgy overload. One great thing about these brownies is they stay soft and fresh for days. (If they last that long.) It must be the pure butter.
So here’s a decadent recipe: Boston Cream Eclair Cake. It looks grand, but trust me, you can easily make it too. This simple recipe was given to me by dear Italian friends in Rhode Island many years ago. It’s such a crowd pleaser, gorgeous and delicious. There are three simple parts to the Boston Cream Éclair Cake: the pastry crust, the cream filling and the rich chocolate frosting. You can make this dessert all at once or in stages.
And finally, there are so many reasons that make the 29 Minute Decadent Chocolate Sheet Cake such a winner. You can’t go wrong with chocolate, any way you slice it. It’s rich, delicious and bakes in the oven for just twelve minutes. When the cake tests done, mix the fudgy icing, then spread it on the warm cake. It oozes into every nook and cranny with absolutely irresistible crowd pleasing results. Oooo la la! It couldn’t be faster and easier. Or yummier! It’s a blue ribbon winner every time, best enjoyed with a tall glass of icy cold milk. Trust me, you’ll spend more time sharing this recipe than actually baking the cake.
Sure hope you found some baking inspiration in this Chocolate Smorgasbord today, and happy baking!
You may also like: Indulgent Flourless Chocolate Cake
adina says
I must admit, I am not a chocolate fan myself (I never look for it or buy it for myself) but I would gladly taste each and every item on this list, they all look so delicious.
Kristen Chidsey says
I crave chocolate morning, noon, and night and have been known to disown friends who don’t like chocolate. HA! Just joking. But this is the collection for me!
Melissa says
I am not a huge fan of chocolate but I am seriously drooling all over my keyboard now. Beautiful photos. Delicious recipes!
Aunt Pinkie says
Oh, my- what fun choices!
Marye says
There is so much chocolate, they all look unbelievably delicious!
Tracy says
These all look oh so good!! You post the best recipes. Great selection Allie! Now to choose one to make for Valentine’s Day……
Sharie P. says
I’m one of those non-chocolate lovers… now skittles, that I cannot have in the house. Yet, Allie, I might just break down and make at least one of these – they look fantastic!! Several others in my family love chocolate!!
Catherine says
Dear Allie, What a gorgeous spread of desserts…that eclair cake is calling to me! I could never turn down a dessert with chocolate…the idea is unthinkable! I’m with you all the way…must be why we clicked immediately! 😉
xoxo dear, Catherine
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Well, it’s not that I don’t like chocolate, but I am allergic.. so I guess chocolate doesn’t like me?! 😉 hubs however is a chocoholic! He would die for everything on this list! Can’t wait to show him and let him pick something for me to bake! Thanks for putting this together, Allie! Fabulous! Cheers, doll!
Christy Smith says
Such decadent delights! I am excited to try Aunt Pinkie’s brownies!! I am always looking for a tasty homemade brownie option. These are sure to fit the bill.
Carina says
I am definitely soooo in the ‘chocolate lover’ category! This post had my mouth watering! Beautiful pictures. I had not seen the Boston Cream Eclair Cake recipe before. My Husband is a rather natural baker, and that cake looks best suited to his skill level, so I think I will see if he is feeling inspired to try that recipe! It looks so delicious!!!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I’ll take one of everything. Thanks. 😉
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Allie, I do know a few people myself who don’t seem to like chocolate. At first, I was like “whaaaats wrong with ya??? How can we be friends??” But then – I noticed that when we met for coffee – they did not ask for a taste of any of the chocolate cake or tart I got – unlike my chocoholic friends! And, as time went by, I began to see the value of a friendship with a chocolate heater! 🙂 Just kidding – kind of! 🙂
As you know, I adore C.H.O.C.O.L.A.T.E. and I wish I was at a table with each of these on it – I wouldn’t know where to start! I’ve seen and drooled all over just about all of these before – with the exception of that Boston Cream Eclair Cake! I’ve gotta check that out cos that’s decadence at another level!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, sweet friend! xoxo
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Ugh – I meant chocolate-hater not chocolate -heater – clearly I was in a chocolate coma! 🙂
Allie says
You funny, funny girl. So quick!!!! xo
Ramona says
You can change the title of this post to “A little bit of Heaven!” What a wonderful smorgasbord of chocolate goodness!! Have a fun and fantastic Valentine’s Day!! 🙂
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
So I love chocolate and Brussels sprouts (not together, don’t worry) and this collection has me seriously drooling! Also very conflicted – where to start?! I’ll just have to roll up my sleeves and work my way through all the chocolate goodness here. YUM!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
I have both a double helping of the chocolate gene, and the brussel sprout one! 🙂 What a wonderful round up of fantastic chocolate recipes, Allie! I wouldn’t turn down any of them! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Eva says
J’adore le chocolat!!! je ne sais pas comme il y a de gens qui peut vivre sans! Pour moi c’est plus qu’un ingrédient, c’est un réconfortante, c’est un douceur, c’est de la gourmandise….Vive le chocolat!!
J’aurais aimé gouter ta tarte aux framboises right now! xo