Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and that means our minds turn to all things chocolate. And what better way is there to kick off February than by celebrating National Dark Chocolate Lovers Day!
Nine out of ten people love chocolate (that’s a made-up statistic but it’s probably close). After all, who can resist the rich, deep, sweet, and slightly bitter taste of really good chocolate? But not just any chocolate – dark chocolate. Just saying the words “dark chocolate” elicits a feeling of decadence. Dark chocolate is indulgent. Dark chocolate is sexy. Dark chocolate is healthy. What? Yes, dark chocolate is a superfood!
To read about the health benefits of dark chocolate, see Chocolate Isn’t Just Good for Your Heart — It Also Improves Your Gut … Here’s Why Food Face-Off: Health Benefits of Milk vs. Dark ChocolateandChoose Dark Chocolate for Heart Health.
Choose dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 65 percent or higher but of course, eat it in moderation because it still has significant calories (up to 450 calories for 3 ounces). For those times you do indulge, seeCreative Ways to Put Dark Chocolate to Good Use, 10 Decadent Dishes for Dark Chocolate Loversand10 Divine Ways to Create Delicious Dark Chocolate Desserts. You can even learn to make your ownHomemade Dark Chocolate Chunks.
So slip into something comfortable, dim the lights, put on some mood music, and check out these 15 decadent recipes for dark chocolate lovers.
1. Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Fig and Oat Bars
You may not think of oat bars as romantic or decadent, but these Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Fig and Oat Bars are filled with the foods of love. Made from whole foods ingredients, these are the perfect snack to grab when you’re on the go and share with the one you love.
2. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Raspberry Chia Jam Cups
These Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Raspberry Chia Jam Cups are like a love story told in yummy flavors and bright colors. The raspberry chia jam filling pairs perfectly with the sweet dark chocolate and slightly salty peanut butter. Plus, they’re ready for indulging in less than an hour. These are a chocolate fairytale come true.
3. Fudgy Coffee Brownies
These Fudgy Coffee Brownies are amazing. They’re dense, fudgy, and decadent. With a classy touch of coffee, if you didn’t know any better, you’d mistake them for fudge. Make these to share with the ones you love.
4. Chocolate Dipped Candied Oranges
Chewy, sweet candied oranges, dipped in rich dark chocolate. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it? This recipe for Chocolate Dipped Candied Oranges calls for a dehydrator, but the good news is, you can make them even if you don’t have one! These candied oranges make the perfect gift for your sweetheart — or you can gift them to yourself.
5. Raw Matcha Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Cups
Who could have ever guessed that chocolate and matcha taste so good together? These Raw Matcha Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Cups combine a dark chocolatey crust with a smooth matcha flavor. You’ll love the earthiness of the matcha powder combined with dark chocolate and tart pomegranate seeds.
6. Homemade Dark Chocolates
Sure, you can buy store-bought chocolates for Valentine’s Day, or you can show someone just how much you care with these Homemade Dark Chocolates. They only take six ingredients; they are quick and easy to make and so creamy, dark, and delicious to eat. These dark chocolates make the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day or just because…
7. Dark Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Mint Macaroons
When a chocolate treat just melts in your mouth, you swear you’ve been transported to heaven. These Dark Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Mint Macaroons that just that kind of treat. Enhanced with vanilla and mint extracts and a dark chocolate coating, their cute shape makes them perfect for sharing or not.
8. Dark Chocolate Coconut Yogurt Cake Bites
Sure, you can share a slice of cake with your love but how romantic would it be to feed each other these adorable Dark Chocolate Coconut Yogurt Cake Bites? The rich filling of these irresistibly dreamy cake bites is coated with a dark chocolate shell. And they’re sweetened naturally just like your love.
9. Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake To Die For!
We may need to change the name of this Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake To Die For! This flourless cake is the ultimate in rich, chocolate flavor. The dark chocolate really makes this dessert ultra-fudgy and intense. Made with healthy ingredients like avocado, banana, raw cacao, and hazelnut butter, this is not only a dark chocolate lover’s dream, but it’s a cake to live for!
10. Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Gingersnaps
Share some cookies with your snookie. These Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Gingersnaps is a new way to enjoy the combination of pumpkin and dark chocolate. They’re studded with dark chocolate chunks and bold, warm spices. Whomever you share these with will rush to show their appreciation (hint, hint).
11. Lemon Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache
Sometimes the best relationships are those you don’t expect. Everyone knows how well orange and chocolate go together, but lemon and chocolate are a match made in heaven. In this Lemon Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache, the tanginess of the lemon complements the rich, smooth chocolate perfectly. The dark chocolate ganache is both in and on the cake, so you get lots of decadence with every bite.
12. Death By Chocolate: Cake, Mousse, and Ice Cream
Brace yourselves – lots of chocolate is coming! This Death By Chocolate: Cake, Mousse, and Ice Cream is the most guilt-free chocolate indulgence ever! It’s 100 percent vegan and gluten-free. It’s a combination of a chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and chocolate ice cream – all of it homemade. The fluffy chocolate cake mixed with the velvety mousse and creamy ice cream is absolutely to die for!
13. Chocolate Almond Espresso Cake
If you’re looking for a treat to share with your sweetheart (or anyone you like enough to share dessert with), you’ve come to the right place. This Chocolate Almond Espresso Cake is rich and chocolatey. Since it’s made entirely with almond flour, it’s also gluten-free. But that chocolate espresso sauce made with dark chocolate and just a hint of espresso that you pour down over the cake – you’re going to want to lick it off the plate. Go ahead.
14. Peanut Butter and Cardamom Truffles
There’s nothing as decadent as creamy, smooth truffles. These Peanut Butter and Cardamom Truffles are unique with the distinct flavor of cardamom. Coated with dark chocolate and crunchy roasted peanuts, these little bites made with peanut butter are great for gift-giving – or you can keep them all to yourself!
15. Chocolate Cheesecake with a Mixed Nut Crust
There’s chocolate cake, and then there’s chocolate cheesecake. This Chocolate Cheesecake with a Mixed Nut Crust is he best chocolate cheesecake you’ll ever try. The crust is nutty, and the cheesecake layer made with silken tofu and dark chocolate is rich, decadent, and delicious. Don’t hesitate to treat yourself and someone you love to this dessert.
Mmm … dark chocolate. If music be the food of love, play on. But make sure you have some dark chocolate to share with the one you love.
Lead image source:Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Raspberry Chia Jam Cups
