Eaten cold—whether in ice cream, pudding, ganache, or cream pie—chocolate’s earthy bitterness and buttery tones allow for an unexpected depth of flavor. Simultaneously rich and refreshing, soothing and invigorating, these summertime chocolate desserts are an irresistible marriage of extremes.
In these minty ice cream sandwiches, the chocolate mousse “ice cream” and cake are both sweetened with bittersweet chocolate, letting the chocolate’s richness—brightened by fresh spearmint—be the main flavor.
This simple yet sophisticated, airy yet intense concoction has been a hit with home cooks in America at least since the New York Times published its first recipe for the dessert in 1955. Get the recipe for Chocolate Mousse »
For many kids, it’s a relief to discover there’s no actual egg in a chocolate egg cream–just a frothy mix of cold milk, seltzer, and rich chocolate syrup.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, OH has some of the most amazing flavors around, but they all start with one simple base. This recipe calls for both cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate.
Don’t get fooled by the simplicity of a chocolate pudding. This rich, velvety dessert, flavored with bittersweet chocolate and rum, is a real crowd pleaser.
This dessert comes from the cookbook The Eating in Bed Cookbook (MacMillian, 1962). It is a voluptuous chocolate pudding, perfect for eating in the privacy of your own bed.
Dark Dutch-process cocoa powder makes for a more flavorful, cookie-like crust, serving as the perfect base for a layer of rich caramel topped with decadent ganache.
Horchata, a cool, creamy drink popular across Latin America, is frequently made from ground almonds and rice. This decadent adaptation, spiked with cinnamon and dark chocolate, tastes rich and nutty and makes a delightful liquid dessert.
In this updated take on a classic French dessert, cream cheese adds stability and a pleasing tang, which balances the sweet white chocolate without overpowering it.
At brunch at the Liberty Bar in San Antonio, a plate of these spicy-sweet cookies is set down on the table at the beginning of the meal—gratis. Featured in our book Best Cookies, they make a perfect cookie for holiday parties, especially when drizzled with a little melted white chocolate.
