15 Dark Chocolate Desserts We Adore

Chef John wows with this recipe that reviewer Cynthia Ross calls a "very elegant and romantic dessert." A touch of ground dried chipotle pepper really makes the dark chocolate pop, but some spice adverse reviewers omitted the heat and still fell in love with the dessert. Reviewer Dixie took it up a notch, substituting in strong coffee instead of hot water, for a subtle coffee hint in this light and airy chocolate mousse.

If you are looking for a decadent cake, look no further. This highly reviewed cake is so good that reviewer ZZZORBA says, "I am a pastry chef, and this is the only chocolate cake I will make from now on." The cake is very versatile, too. Some reviewers baked it as a layer cake following recipe directions, and some baked cupcakes or Bundt cakes.

Making a soufflé can be a daunting task but reviewer K. Forbes says, "Easy to follow directions help to make even a novice successful." This dessert is perfect for a romantic dinner at home. Reviewer lrpine says, "It was light and just the right amount for dessert." Reviewer Seb Pilon, who made the recipe for four people says, "It was my first-time attempting soufflé and it scaled up really nicely without issues." Watch the video for step-by-step tips.

"Dark Chocolate. Bacon. What's not to love? Take yourself on a taste adventure and give these a go. They were a challenge by friends that turned into a great success," says recipe creator mkecupcakequeen. If you want an extra dark frosting to swirl on top, try this recipe for Caroline's Chocolate Fudge Frosting.

Making fondue is a fun and interactive experience, perfect for a romantic night in or as a family activity. This 5-ingredient version uses a healthy dose of dark chocolate (recommending at least 70% cocoa) mixed with orange juice, orange peel and orange liqueur to really bring out the orange flavor. Foodie girl says, "It's just the right amount of sweet without being over the top." Reviewers dipped everything from strawberries to shortbread, pretzels to marshmallows. Reviewer Steve Coates even saved some to drizzle on waffles the next morning.

The flavor combination of marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers is a classic, but when you amp it up with dark chocolate and bourbon, you are taking it to a new level. Marshmallows are filled with the decadent ganache, toasted, and then topped with graham cracker crumbs and a cute Teddy bear graham. Although the process can be a bit labor intensive, reviewer Lindsey says, "It's so worth the effort to create these little masterpieces." Yes, there's a how-to video to help you out.

There's something fun about eating dark chocolate truffles out of a box, especially on Valentine's Day. This recipe calls for making your own decadent version with dark chocolate, hazelnut and caramel. Reviewer PRKoala says, "It took a bit of work and the trickiest part was the caramel," but "everyone thought they were great and very pretty."

This twist on the classic hot chocolate subs in dark chocolate instead of the classic milk chocolate. Reviewer Buckwheat queen substituted in coconut cream and heavy coconut cream for the dairy versions and says, "The taste is rich and creamy and tastes like all the good things in life in a mug." The perfect winter treat.

Keeping a gluten-free diet doesn't mean giving up great dessert, and this cupcake is a testament to that. Reviewer Sharon in Maine says, "This is the first gluten-free cake that was moist, soft and not crumbly." Many of the reviewers omitted the xanthan gum and still had a successful batch.

Adding in a hint of pepper to a chocolate dish helps elevate the chocolate flavor. The addition of both cayenne and black pepper in this dish gives an intense level of spice without making it too spicy. If you can't find currants, reviewers say that dried cranberries or cherries worked well. Joelcaryn says, "DECADENT. If you love dark chocolate, these are for you."

Cocoa powder adds deep, rich flavor to these indulgent cookies. Recipe creator Chef V gives you the option of mixing in dark chocolate chips or using white chocolate chips as an eye-catching contrast. Reviewer Sharon Denike Tschudy reduced the red food coloring to 1 tablespoon and used white chocolate chips.

Ripe pears are nestled in a rich, dark chocolate batter and baked atop a shortcrust pastry. Recipe creator vicki oliver suggests serving it warm with crème fraîche to balance the intensity of the tart.

"Classic fudge gets a snazzy makeover. Butterscotch and dark chocolate are a match made in heaven," says recipe creator RusticJoyfulFood. Reviewer koki yang baik adds, "Amazing recipe."

"Legend has it that this dessert was the result of a major catering disaster. The dessert for this particular event was to be individual chocolate cakes, but someone took them out of the ovens too soon and the centers were not cooked enough and still liquefied. Well, there was no time to take them off the plates and bake them more, so the chef simply had his wait staff introduce the dessert as Chocolate 'Lava' Cake! Brilliant!" —Chef John

"Love this cake," says reviewer dude. I"t's moist, delicious, so chocolatey. Easy to make too. The frosting compliments it well, and is perfect. It's creamy, chocolaty, and makes the right amount to cover the cake without overwhelming it. Everyone loved it."