Ahh... chocolate! Essentially, 90 percent of the world loves it. If so many people adore it, then they should see these delightful recipes. Here are 4 chocolatey examples!

1) Dark- Chocolate Pudding

Did you know that dark chocolate offers several health benefits? According to Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, dark chocolate is high in fiber, protects skin from sun damage, enhances mood, is non-dairy, and is a source of important minerals. It would be much better if you were to turn that into pudding! Everyday Pie has the perfect recipe for you.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (either Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder works)
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
• ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 2 large egg yolks
• 3-½ cups (790 grams) whole milk
• 6 ounces (170 grams) of chopped bittersweet/dark chocolate
• 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (227 grams) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. To make chocolate pudding, start by getting a medium pot. In it, mix the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. If you want a little extra kick, you can add some espresso powder too. Next, add in the egg yolks and about one-third of the milk, and whisk everything until it’s smooth. Then, pour in the rest of the milk and stir in some chopped chocolate.
2. Now, put the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Keep whisking the mixture constantly and use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the pot. You’ll know it’s ready when it thickens up and you see big bubbles forming and popping, which should take about 8 minutes.
3. Once it’s thick, take the pot off the heat and pour the pudding through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Use the spatula to help push all the pudding through. Then, mix in some butter and vanilla until everything is combined.
4. You can either leave the pudding in the bowl or put it into small serving cups. If you want to avoid that weird skin on top, cover the pudding with plastic wrap. Let it cool down to room temperature, then put it in the fridge for at least 3 hours or even overnight.
5. When it’s time to eat the pudding, make some whipped cream! In a bowl with an electric mixer and a whisk attachment, combine the cream, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. Beat it on medium speed until it gets nice and fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes. Just remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through! Finally, serve the cold chocolate pudding with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Enjoy!

Photo by Abdulvahap Demir from Pexels

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2) Chocolate Milkshakes

Have you ever heard this riddle, I'm rich and creamy, a chocolate dream, I come in a cup, a sweet, cool gleam. Made with milk and chocolate, a perfect treat, What am I? It's a chocolate milkshake, of course! This recipe Tastes Better From Scratch will have your tastebuds begging for more.

Ingredients

• 6 cups vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream
• 1/3 cup milk, or more as needed, or use chocolate milk
• 1/3 cup chocolate sauce
• whipped cream, optional, for topping

Instructions

1. To make a super tasty milkshake, just throw some ice cream, milk, and chocolate sauce into a blender. Blend it all up until it’s mixed well.
2. I think thicker shakes are the best, but if you like yours a bit thinner, you can just add a little more milk. Don’t forget to top it off with some whipped cream for the ultimate treat!

Photo by Esmihel Muhammed from Pexels

3) Chocolate Chip Cookies

A regular classic for chocolate treats is cookies. But what kind, you ask? That's right—chocolate chip! These cookies from JoyFood Sunshine will make your day!

Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar packed
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips (12 oz)

Instructions

1. First, turn the oven to 375 degrees F so it gets nice and hot. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper (that fancy non-stick paper) and set them aside
2. Grab a medium bowl and mix together some flour, baking soda, baking powder, and a little salt. Just set this bowl aside for now. In a bigger bowl, combine some softened butter with brown sugar and white sugar. Mix it up until it’s all smooth and creamy—it should look really nice!
3. Now, crack in a couple of eggs and add a splash of vanilla extract. Beat it together until it’s light and fluffy, which should take about a minute.
4. Slowly mix in the flour mixture you set aside earlier. Just keep mixing until everything is combined and you don’t see any dry flour. Time to make it awesome! Stir in a bunch of chocolate chips. The more, the better! Roll about 2-3 tablespoons of dough into balls. Place them on the cookie sheets, but don’t crowd them. Give them some space to spread out.
5. Pop the cookie sheets in the oven and let them bake for about 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them and take them out when they just start to turn brown.
6. Let the cookies chill on the baking pan for 5 minutes before you move them to a cooling rack.

Photo by Nerfee Mirandilla from Pexels

4) White Chocolate Cake

While regular cake is enjoyable, white chocolate cake takes dessert to a new level of deliciousness! This recipe from Cookies and Cups will have your tongue doing backflips!

Ingredients

Cake:

• 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 cup of buttermilk

Frosting:

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 12 ounces white chocolate, chopped, To fill: 1 cup strawberry jam

Instructions:

1. First, preheat the oven to 350°F and spray two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray. Put parchment paper at the bottom and spray again. In a small pot, melt white chocolate with hot water over medium heat until smooth and let it cool a bit.
2. In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, around 2 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, then mix well. Add flour and buttermilk a little at a time, starting and ending with flour. Mix in the melted white chocolate until smooth. Pour the batter into the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then flip them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
3. For the frosting, melt chopped white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second bursts until smooth. Let it cool. Then mix butter and powdered sugar until creamy, and add the cooled white chocolate, mixing for 2 minutes.
4. To assemble, put one cake on a plate, spread 1 cup of strawberry jam on it, and add 1 ½ cups of frosting on top. Place the second cake on top and cover it with the rest of the frosting. Enjoy!

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash

All four of these recipes can warm the hearts of your family and friends. Share this article with a chocolate lover or someone who enjoys sweets!